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NRNP 6635 WEEK 6 MIDTERM EXAM 2026/2027 |
Psychopathology & Diagnostic Reasoning | Revised Correct
Answers & Rationales | 100% Guarantee Pass | A+ Graded
Section 1: Neurodevelopmental Disorders (Q1-12)
Q1. According to DSM-5-TR, which of the following is a required criterion for the
diagnosis of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)?
A. Onset of symptoms must occur before age 7 years
B. Symptoms must be present in at least two or more settings
C. Symptoms must cause clinically significant distress for at least 12 months
D. A distinct manic episode must be ruled out prior to diagnosis
B. Symptoms must be present in at least two or more settings [CORRECT]
Rationale: DSM-5-TR Criterion C for ADHD requires several inattentive or
hyperactive-impulsive symptoms to be present in two or more settings (e.g., home,
school, work). The age of onset requirement was changed from before age 7 to
before age 12 in DSM-5-TR, and there is no 12-month duration requirement
(symptoms must persist for at least 6 months).
Correct Answer: B
Q2. A 4-year-old child is referred for evaluation due to concerns about development.
The child rarely makes eye contact, does not respond to his name, shows no interest
in interactive games with peers, and lines up toys in rigid patterns while becoming
distressed if the arrangement is altered. Which diagnosis best fits this presentation?
A. Social anxiety disorder
B. Autism spectrum disorder
,2
C. Reactive attachment disorder
D. Specific learning disorder
B. Autism spectrum disorder [CORRECT]
Rationale: This presentation demonstrates the two core domains required for ASD in
DSM-5-TR: persistent deficits in social communication and interaction (lack of eye
contact, no response to name, no interest in peers) and restricted, repetitive patterns
of behavior (rigid lining up of toys, distress at change). Social anxiety disorder would
not explain the repetitive behaviors or early developmental onset.
Correct Answer: B
Q3. A 6-year-old diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder speaks in full sentences
and attends a mainstream first-grade classroom with minimal support for transitions
but requires substantial support for social communication and reciprocal interaction.
Which DSM-5-TR severity specifier and level is most appropriate?
A. Level 1: Requiring support
B. Level 2: Requiring substantial support
C. Level 3: Requiring very substantial support
D. Severity specifiers are not applied to individuals with fluent language
B. Level 2: Requiring substantial support [CORRECT]
Rationale: DSM-5-TR specifies three levels of ASD severity based on social
communication limitations and restricted repetitive behaviors. This child requires
substantial support for social communication (Level 2) despite having fluent
language; severity is determined by the highest level of support needed across either
core domain. Level 1 requires only support, while Level 3 requires very substantial
support.
Correct Answer: B
,3
Q4. A 9-year-old boy is brought in for evaluation. Since age 4, he has had significant
difficulty maintaining conversations, rarely shares interests with peers, and becomes
intensely focused on train schedules to the exclusion of other activities. He also
fidgets constantly, interrupts others, and has difficulty waiting his turn. His teacher
reports these behaviors occur in both the classroom and at home. His IQ is 105.
Which is the most accurate differential diagnosis?
A. Autism spectrum disorder with comorbid ADHD; specific phobia can be ruled out
B. ADHD, combined presentation; the social deficits are attributable to inattention
only
C. Autism spectrum disorder; the hyperactivity is best explained by anxiety
D. Social communication disorder with disruptive mood dysregulation disorder
A. Autism spectrum disorder with comorbid ADHD; specific phobia can be ruled out
[CORRECT]
Rationale: The child demonstrates core ASD features (social communication deficits,
restricted interests in train schedules since early childhood) alongside ADHD features
(fidgeting, interrupting, waiting difficulties present in multiple settings). DSM-5-TR
permits comorbid diagnosis of ADHD with ASD. The social deficits are not merely
attributable to inattention, as they reflect qualitative impairments in reciprocal social
interaction.
Correct Answer: A
Q5. An 8-year-old girl is referred by her school. She has significant difficulty learning
arithmetic despite average intelligence (IQ 92) and adequate instruction. She can
read grade-level text but cannot grasp number concepts, place value, or word
problems that her peers master. She becomes frustrated during math class but is
otherwise well-adjusted socially. Which diagnosis and specifier best fit?
A. Specific learning disorder with impairment in reading
B. Specific learning disorder with impairment in mathematics
C. Intellectual disability, mild severity
D. ADHD, predominantly inattentive presentation
B. Specific learning disorder with impairment in mathematics [CORRECT]
, 4
Rationale: DSM-5-TR criteria for specific learning disorder require persistent
difficulties learning academic skills despite targeted intervention, with skills
substantially below those expected for chronological age. This child's isolated
difficulty with arithmetic, average IQ, and intact reading skills meet criteria for
specific learning disorder with impairment in mathematics. Intellectual disability
requires deficits in both intellectual and adaptive functioning.
Correct Answer: B
Q6. Which of the following is required for the DSM-5-TR diagnosis of specific
learning disorder?
A. Intellectual functioning in the borderline range (IQ 70-85)
B. Onset during the preschool years
C. Difficulties that persist for at least 6 months despite intervention
D. Evidence of sensory impairment as the primary cause
C. Difficulties that persist for at least 6 months despite intervention [CORRECT]
Rationale: DSM-5-TR Criterion B for specific learning disorder requires that the
affected academic skills be substantially and quantifiably below those expected for
the individual's chronological age, causing interference with academic or
occupational performance, and present for at least 6 months despite intervention.
There is no requirement for borderline IQ, preschool onset, or sensory impairment.
Correct Answer: C
Q7. A 7-year-old child is evaluated for speech difficulties. The child stutters when
excited, repeating initial syllables and prolonging sounds, which causes significant
anxiety about speaking in class. Speech was delayed but is now intelligible. Which
diagnosis best describes this presentation?
A. Language disorder
B. Childhood-onset fluency disorder (stuttering)
NRNP 6635 WEEK 6 MIDTERM EXAM 2026/2027 |
Psychopathology & Diagnostic Reasoning | Revised Correct
Answers & Rationales | 100% Guarantee Pass | A+ Graded
Section 1: Neurodevelopmental Disorders (Q1-12)
Q1. According to DSM-5-TR, which of the following is a required criterion for the
diagnosis of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)?
A. Onset of symptoms must occur before age 7 years
B. Symptoms must be present in at least two or more settings
C. Symptoms must cause clinically significant distress for at least 12 months
D. A distinct manic episode must be ruled out prior to diagnosis
B. Symptoms must be present in at least two or more settings [CORRECT]
Rationale: DSM-5-TR Criterion C for ADHD requires several inattentive or
hyperactive-impulsive symptoms to be present in two or more settings (e.g., home,
school, work). The age of onset requirement was changed from before age 7 to
before age 12 in DSM-5-TR, and there is no 12-month duration requirement
(symptoms must persist for at least 6 months).
Correct Answer: B
Q2. A 4-year-old child is referred for evaluation due to concerns about development.
The child rarely makes eye contact, does not respond to his name, shows no interest
in interactive games with peers, and lines up toys in rigid patterns while becoming
distressed if the arrangement is altered. Which diagnosis best fits this presentation?
A. Social anxiety disorder
B. Autism spectrum disorder
,2
C. Reactive attachment disorder
D. Specific learning disorder
B. Autism spectrum disorder [CORRECT]
Rationale: This presentation demonstrates the two core domains required for ASD in
DSM-5-TR: persistent deficits in social communication and interaction (lack of eye
contact, no response to name, no interest in peers) and restricted, repetitive patterns
of behavior (rigid lining up of toys, distress at change). Social anxiety disorder would
not explain the repetitive behaviors or early developmental onset.
Correct Answer: B
Q3. A 6-year-old diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder speaks in full sentences
and attends a mainstream first-grade classroom with minimal support for transitions
but requires substantial support for social communication and reciprocal interaction.
Which DSM-5-TR severity specifier and level is most appropriate?
A. Level 1: Requiring support
B. Level 2: Requiring substantial support
C. Level 3: Requiring very substantial support
D. Severity specifiers are not applied to individuals with fluent language
B. Level 2: Requiring substantial support [CORRECT]
Rationale: DSM-5-TR specifies three levels of ASD severity based on social
communication limitations and restricted repetitive behaviors. This child requires
substantial support for social communication (Level 2) despite having fluent
language; severity is determined by the highest level of support needed across either
core domain. Level 1 requires only support, while Level 3 requires very substantial
support.
Correct Answer: B
,3
Q4. A 9-year-old boy is brought in for evaluation. Since age 4, he has had significant
difficulty maintaining conversations, rarely shares interests with peers, and becomes
intensely focused on train schedules to the exclusion of other activities. He also
fidgets constantly, interrupts others, and has difficulty waiting his turn. His teacher
reports these behaviors occur in both the classroom and at home. His IQ is 105.
Which is the most accurate differential diagnosis?
A. Autism spectrum disorder with comorbid ADHD; specific phobia can be ruled out
B. ADHD, combined presentation; the social deficits are attributable to inattention
only
C. Autism spectrum disorder; the hyperactivity is best explained by anxiety
D. Social communication disorder with disruptive mood dysregulation disorder
A. Autism spectrum disorder with comorbid ADHD; specific phobia can be ruled out
[CORRECT]
Rationale: The child demonstrates core ASD features (social communication deficits,
restricted interests in train schedules since early childhood) alongside ADHD features
(fidgeting, interrupting, waiting difficulties present in multiple settings). DSM-5-TR
permits comorbid diagnosis of ADHD with ASD. The social deficits are not merely
attributable to inattention, as they reflect qualitative impairments in reciprocal social
interaction.
Correct Answer: A
Q5. An 8-year-old girl is referred by her school. She has significant difficulty learning
arithmetic despite average intelligence (IQ 92) and adequate instruction. She can
read grade-level text but cannot grasp number concepts, place value, or word
problems that her peers master. She becomes frustrated during math class but is
otherwise well-adjusted socially. Which diagnosis and specifier best fit?
A. Specific learning disorder with impairment in reading
B. Specific learning disorder with impairment in mathematics
C. Intellectual disability, mild severity
D. ADHD, predominantly inattentive presentation
B. Specific learning disorder with impairment in mathematics [CORRECT]
, 4
Rationale: DSM-5-TR criteria for specific learning disorder require persistent
difficulties learning academic skills despite targeted intervention, with skills
substantially below those expected for chronological age. This child's isolated
difficulty with arithmetic, average IQ, and intact reading skills meet criteria for
specific learning disorder with impairment in mathematics. Intellectual disability
requires deficits in both intellectual and adaptive functioning.
Correct Answer: B
Q6. Which of the following is required for the DSM-5-TR diagnosis of specific
learning disorder?
A. Intellectual functioning in the borderline range (IQ 70-85)
B. Onset during the preschool years
C. Difficulties that persist for at least 6 months despite intervention
D. Evidence of sensory impairment as the primary cause
C. Difficulties that persist for at least 6 months despite intervention [CORRECT]
Rationale: DSM-5-TR Criterion B for specific learning disorder requires that the
affected academic skills be substantially and quantifiably below those expected for
the individual's chronological age, causing interference with academic or
occupational performance, and present for at least 6 months despite intervention.
There is no requirement for borderline IQ, preschool onset, or sensory impairment.
Correct Answer: C
Q7. A 7-year-old child is evaluated for speech difficulties. The child stutters when
excited, repeating initial syllables and prolonging sounds, which causes significant
anxiety about speaking in class. Speech was delayed but is now intelligible. Which
diagnosis best describes this presentation?
A. Language disorder
B. Childhood-onset fluency disorder (stuttering)
