NR547 Final Exam V3 NR 547 Differential
Diagnosis in Psychiatric-Mental Health
across the Lifespan | Questions with
Correct Answers and Expert Explanation
for Each Question | Chamberlain
1. A 28-year-old patient presents with symptoms of low mood, fatigue, and hypersomnia that
have persisted for more than two years. The patient reports they have never been without
these symptoms for more than two months. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Major Depressive Disorder
B. Adjustment Disorder with Depressed Mood
C. Cyclothymic Disorder
D. Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia)
Answer: D
Rationale: Persistent Depressive Disorder is characterized by a depressed mood that
occurs for most of the day, for more days than not, for at least two years. Unlike Major
Depressive Disorder, the symptoms are often less severe but much more chronic. To meet
criteria, the individual must not have been symptom-free for more than two months during
the two-year period.
2. Which of the following distinguishes Bipolar I Disorder from Bipolar II Disorder?
A. The presence of at least one hypomanic episode
,B. The presence of at least one major depressive episode
C. The presence of at least one manic episode
D. A history of cyclothymic symptoms for one year
Answer: C
Rationale: Bipolar I Disorder requires the occurrence of at least one manic episode, which
may be preceded or followed by hypomanic or major depressive episodes. Bipolar II
Disorder requires at least one hypomanic episode and at least one major depressive
episode, but never a manic episode. Manic episodes in Bipolar I often lead to significant
impairment in social or occupational functioning or require hospitalization.
3. An 8-year-old child displays a persistent pattern of angry/irritable mood,
argumentative/defiant behavior, and vindictiveness lasting at least 6 months. Which
diagnosis should be considered?
A. Oppositional Defiant Disorder
B. Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
C. Conduct Disorder
D. Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder
Answer: A
Rationale: Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) is characterized by a frequent and
persistent pattern of anger, irritability, arguing, defiance, or vindictiveness. It is
,distinguished from Conduct Disorder because ODD does not typically involve aggression
toward people or animals, destruction of property, or a pattern of theft. The symptoms
must be present for at least six months and observed during interaction with at least one
individual who is not a sibling.
4. In the differential diagnosis of Schizophrenia, how long must continuous signs of the
disturbance persist according to DSM-5-TR?
A. At least 1 month
B. At least 3 months
C. At least 6 months
D. At least 12 months
Answer: C
Rationale: The DSM-5-TR criteria for Schizophrenia require continuous signs of the
disturbance for at least six months. This six-month period must include at least one month
of active-phase symptoms (e.g., delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech). If the
symptoms last more than one month but less than six months, the appropriate diagnosis
would be Schizophreniform Disorder.
5. A 45-year-old patient reports sudden episodes of intense fear accompanied by palpitations,
sweating, and a fear of losing control. These episodes peak within minutes. What is the
primary diagnosis?
A. Generalized Anxiety Disorder
, B. Social Anxiety Disorder
C. Panic Disorder
D. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Answer: C
Rationale: Panic Disorder is defined by recurrent unexpected panic attacks, which are
abrupt surges of intense fear or discomfort that peak within minutes. Generalized Anxiety
Disorder involves excessive worry about various events rather than discrete, intense
attacks. For a diagnosis of Panic Disorder, the attacks must be followed by at least one
month of persistent concern about additional attacks or a significant maladaptive change in
behavior.
6. Which screening tool is specifically designed to assess for the presence of a manic or
hypomanic episode in a primary care or psychiatric setting?
A. MDQ
B. GAD-7
C. PHQ-9
D. CAGE
Answer: A
Rationale: The Mood Disorder Questionnaire (MDQ) is a validated screening tool used to
identify individuals likely to have Bipolar Spectrum Disorder. The PHQ-9 is used for
Diagnosis in Psychiatric-Mental Health
across the Lifespan | Questions with
Correct Answers and Expert Explanation
for Each Question | Chamberlain
1. A 28-year-old patient presents with symptoms of low mood, fatigue, and hypersomnia that
have persisted for more than two years. The patient reports they have never been without
these symptoms for more than two months. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Major Depressive Disorder
B. Adjustment Disorder with Depressed Mood
C. Cyclothymic Disorder
D. Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia)
Answer: D
Rationale: Persistent Depressive Disorder is characterized by a depressed mood that
occurs for most of the day, for more days than not, for at least two years. Unlike Major
Depressive Disorder, the symptoms are often less severe but much more chronic. To meet
criteria, the individual must not have been symptom-free for more than two months during
the two-year period.
2. Which of the following distinguishes Bipolar I Disorder from Bipolar II Disorder?
A. The presence of at least one hypomanic episode
,B. The presence of at least one major depressive episode
C. The presence of at least one manic episode
D. A history of cyclothymic symptoms for one year
Answer: C
Rationale: Bipolar I Disorder requires the occurrence of at least one manic episode, which
may be preceded or followed by hypomanic or major depressive episodes. Bipolar II
Disorder requires at least one hypomanic episode and at least one major depressive
episode, but never a manic episode. Manic episodes in Bipolar I often lead to significant
impairment in social or occupational functioning or require hospitalization.
3. An 8-year-old child displays a persistent pattern of angry/irritable mood,
argumentative/defiant behavior, and vindictiveness lasting at least 6 months. Which
diagnosis should be considered?
A. Oppositional Defiant Disorder
B. Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
C. Conduct Disorder
D. Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder
Answer: A
Rationale: Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) is characterized by a frequent and
persistent pattern of anger, irritability, arguing, defiance, or vindictiveness. It is
,distinguished from Conduct Disorder because ODD does not typically involve aggression
toward people or animals, destruction of property, or a pattern of theft. The symptoms
must be present for at least six months and observed during interaction with at least one
individual who is not a sibling.
4. In the differential diagnosis of Schizophrenia, how long must continuous signs of the
disturbance persist according to DSM-5-TR?
A. At least 1 month
B. At least 3 months
C. At least 6 months
D. At least 12 months
Answer: C
Rationale: The DSM-5-TR criteria for Schizophrenia require continuous signs of the
disturbance for at least six months. This six-month period must include at least one month
of active-phase symptoms (e.g., delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech). If the
symptoms last more than one month but less than six months, the appropriate diagnosis
would be Schizophreniform Disorder.
5. A 45-year-old patient reports sudden episodes of intense fear accompanied by palpitations,
sweating, and a fear of losing control. These episodes peak within minutes. What is the
primary diagnosis?
A. Generalized Anxiety Disorder
, B. Social Anxiety Disorder
C. Panic Disorder
D. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Answer: C
Rationale: Panic Disorder is defined by recurrent unexpected panic attacks, which are
abrupt surges of intense fear or discomfort that peak within minutes. Generalized Anxiety
Disorder involves excessive worry about various events rather than discrete, intense
attacks. For a diagnosis of Panic Disorder, the attacks must be followed by at least one
month of persistent concern about additional attacks or a significant maladaptive change in
behavior.
6. Which screening tool is specifically designed to assess for the presence of a manic or
hypomanic episode in a primary care or psychiatric setting?
A. MDQ
B. GAD-7
C. PHQ-9
D. CAGE
Answer: A
Rationale: The Mood Disorder Questionnaire (MDQ) is a validated screening tool used to
identify individuals likely to have Bipolar Spectrum Disorder. The PHQ-9 is used for
