NRNP 6635 PSYCHOPATHOLOGY AND
DIAGNOSTIC REASONING FINAL EXAM
STUDY GUIDE
1. A 24-year-old male presents with hallucinations and delusions that have lasted for 3
weeks, following a severe psychosocial stressor. He has no prior history. What is the most
likely diagnosis?
A. Schizophrenia
B. Brief Psychotic Disorder
C. Schizophreniform Disorder
D. Delusional Disorder
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Brief Psychotic Disorder is characterized by symptoms lasting at
least one day but less than one month, often triggered by a stressor.
2. Which neuroanatomical structure is primarily responsible for the processing of fear and
emotional memory, often implicated in PTSD?
A. Hippocampus
,B. Amygdala
C. Prefrontal Cortex
D. Basal Ganglia
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: The amygdala is the core structure for emotional processing,
particularly fear conditioning and response in PTSD.
3. A patient experiences at least two years of hypomanic symptoms and numerous periods of
depressive symptoms that do not meet the full criteria for a major depressive episode. What
is the diagnosis?
A. Cyclothymic Disorder
B. Bipolar II Disorder
C. Persistent Depressive Disorder
D. Bipolar I Disorder
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Cyclothymic disorder requires at least 2 years of sub-threshold
hypomanic and depressive symptoms.
4. In the mesocortical dopamine pathway, a decrease in dopamine is hypothesized to be
responsible for which symptoms of Schizophrenia?
A. Positive symptoms
, B. Extrapyramidal symptoms
C. Negative symptoms
D. Hyperprolactinemia
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Hypodopaminergic activity in the mesocortical pathway is
linked to negative symptoms and cognitive impairment.
5. Which of the following is a key differentiator between Bulimia Nervosa and Binge-Eating
Disorder?
A. The presence of recurrent binge eating
B. Recurrent inappropriate compensatory behaviors
C. A sense of lack of control during eating
D. Eating much more rapidly than normal
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Bulimia involves compensatory behaviors (purging, fasting,
excessive exercise), whereas Binge-Eating Disorder does not.
6. A patient is prescribed Fluoxetine and later develops hyperreflexia, tremors, and
diaphoresis after taking an over-the-counter cough medicine containing Dextromethorphan.
What is the suspected condition?
A. Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome
DIAGNOSTIC REASONING FINAL EXAM
STUDY GUIDE
1. A 24-year-old male presents with hallucinations and delusions that have lasted for 3
weeks, following a severe psychosocial stressor. He has no prior history. What is the most
likely diagnosis?
A. Schizophrenia
B. Brief Psychotic Disorder
C. Schizophreniform Disorder
D. Delusional Disorder
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Brief Psychotic Disorder is characterized by symptoms lasting at
least one day but less than one month, often triggered by a stressor.
2. Which neuroanatomical structure is primarily responsible for the processing of fear and
emotional memory, often implicated in PTSD?
A. Hippocampus
,B. Amygdala
C. Prefrontal Cortex
D. Basal Ganglia
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: The amygdala is the core structure for emotional processing,
particularly fear conditioning and response in PTSD.
3. A patient experiences at least two years of hypomanic symptoms and numerous periods of
depressive symptoms that do not meet the full criteria for a major depressive episode. What
is the diagnosis?
A. Cyclothymic Disorder
B. Bipolar II Disorder
C. Persistent Depressive Disorder
D. Bipolar I Disorder
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Cyclothymic disorder requires at least 2 years of sub-threshold
hypomanic and depressive symptoms.
4. In the mesocortical dopamine pathway, a decrease in dopamine is hypothesized to be
responsible for which symptoms of Schizophrenia?
A. Positive symptoms
, B. Extrapyramidal symptoms
C. Negative symptoms
D. Hyperprolactinemia
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Hypodopaminergic activity in the mesocortical pathway is
linked to negative symptoms and cognitive impairment.
5. Which of the following is a key differentiator between Bulimia Nervosa and Binge-Eating
Disorder?
A. The presence of recurrent binge eating
B. Recurrent inappropriate compensatory behaviors
C. A sense of lack of control during eating
D. Eating much more rapidly than normal
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Bulimia involves compensatory behaviors (purging, fasting,
excessive exercise), whereas Binge-Eating Disorder does not.
6. A patient is prescribed Fluoxetine and later develops hyperreflexia, tremors, and
diaphoresis after taking an over-the-counter cough medicine containing Dextromethorphan.
What is the suspected condition?
A. Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome
