NRNP 6635: PSYCHOPATHOLOGY AND
DIAGNOSTIC REASONING MIDTERM
EXAM
1. A 28-year-old female presents with a 3-week history of low mood, anhedonia, and
insomnia. To meet the DSM-5 criteria for Major Depressive Disorder, how many total
symptoms must be present during the same 2-week period?
A. Three symptoms
B. Four symptoms
C. Five symptoms
D. Seven symptoms
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: DSM-5 requires at least five symptoms to be present during the
same 2-week period, and at least one of the symptoms must be either depressed mood or
loss of interest/pleasure.
,2. Which neuroanatomical structure is primarily associated with the processing of fear and
the ‘fight or flight’ response in anxiety disorders?
A. Hippocampus
B. Thalamus
C. Amygdala
D. Basal Ganglia
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: The amygdala is the brain’s center for processing emotions,
particularly fear, and initiates the stress response.
3. When differentiating between Bipolar I and Bipolar II Disorder, which of the following is
the defining characteristic of Bipolar I?
A. Presence of at least one Hypomanic Episode
B. Presence of a Major Depressive Episode
C. Rapid cycling of four or more episodes per year
D. Presence of at least one Manic Episode
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Bipolar I Disorder requires the occurrence of at least one manic
episode. Bipolar II requires a hypomanic episode and a major depressive episode, but
never a full manic episode.
, 4. A patient reports persistent, intrusive thoughts about contamination followed by repetitive
hand-washing for three hours a day. Which term best describes the repetitive hand-washing?
A. Obsession
B. Delusion
C. Compulsion
D. Idea of reference
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Compulsions are repetitive behaviors or mental acts that an
individual feels driven to perform in response to an obsession or according to rules that
must be applied rigidly.
5. To diagnose Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), the clinician must establish that excessive
anxiety and worry have occurred more days than not for at least how long?
A. 1 month
B. 3 months
C. 6 months
D. 12 months
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: According to the DSM-5, the duration requirement for GAD is at
least 6 months of excessive anxiety and worry.
DIAGNOSTIC REASONING MIDTERM
EXAM
1. A 28-year-old female presents with a 3-week history of low mood, anhedonia, and
insomnia. To meet the DSM-5 criteria for Major Depressive Disorder, how many total
symptoms must be present during the same 2-week period?
A. Three symptoms
B. Four symptoms
C. Five symptoms
D. Seven symptoms
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: DSM-5 requires at least five symptoms to be present during the
same 2-week period, and at least one of the symptoms must be either depressed mood or
loss of interest/pleasure.
,2. Which neuroanatomical structure is primarily associated with the processing of fear and
the ‘fight or flight’ response in anxiety disorders?
A. Hippocampus
B. Thalamus
C. Amygdala
D. Basal Ganglia
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: The amygdala is the brain’s center for processing emotions,
particularly fear, and initiates the stress response.
3. When differentiating between Bipolar I and Bipolar II Disorder, which of the following is
the defining characteristic of Bipolar I?
A. Presence of at least one Hypomanic Episode
B. Presence of a Major Depressive Episode
C. Rapid cycling of four or more episodes per year
D. Presence of at least one Manic Episode
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Bipolar I Disorder requires the occurrence of at least one manic
episode. Bipolar II requires a hypomanic episode and a major depressive episode, but
never a full manic episode.
, 4. A patient reports persistent, intrusive thoughts about contamination followed by repetitive
hand-washing for three hours a day. Which term best describes the repetitive hand-washing?
A. Obsession
B. Delusion
C. Compulsion
D. Idea of reference
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Compulsions are repetitive behaviors or mental acts that an
individual feels driven to perform in response to an obsession or according to rules that
must be applied rigidly.
5. To diagnose Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), the clinician must establish that excessive
anxiety and worry have occurred more days than not for at least how long?
A. 1 month
B. 3 months
C. 6 months
D. 12 months
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: According to the DSM-5, the duration requirement for GAD is at
least 6 months of excessive anxiety and worry.
