COUC 546 Final Exam V2 | COUC 546 Psychopathology | Actual Q&A
with Rationale (COUC546 Final Exam) | Liberty University
1. A 25-year-old male presents with continuous signs of disturbance for at least 6 months,
including one month of active-phase symptoms such as delusions and hallucinations. Which
diagnosis is most appropriate?
A. Schizophrenia
B. Schizophreniform Disorder
C. Brief Psychotic Disorder
D. Schizoaffective Disorder
Answer: A
Explanation: Schizophrenia requires continuous signs of the disturbance for at least 6
months. This 6-month period must include at least 1 month of symptoms that meet
Criterion A (active-phase symptoms). If the symptoms last less than 6 months,
Schizophreniform or Brief Psychotic Disorder would be considered.
2. To meet the criteria for Major Depressive Disorder, symptoms must be present during the
same how many week period?
A. 1 week
B. 2 weeks
C. 4 weeks
D. 6 weeks
Answer: B
Explanation: Major Depressive Disorder requires five or more symptoms to be present
during the same 2-week period. At least one of the symptoms must be either depressed
mood or loss of interest or pleasure. This temporal requirement distinguishes acute
depressive episodes from more chronic conditions like Persistent Depressive Disorder.
3. Which of the following distinguishes Bipolar I Disorder from Bipolar II Disorder?
A. The presence of a major depressive episode
B. The presence of psychotic features in depression
C. The duration of hypomanic symptoms
D. The presence of at least one manic episode
Answer: D
,Explanation: Bipolar I Disorder requires the occurrence of at least one manic episode in
the individual’s lifetime. Bipolar II Disorder is characterized by at least one hypomanic
episode and at least one major depressive episode, but never a full manic episode. The
distinction is clinical, based on the severity and functional impairment associated with the
elevated mood phase.
4. A client reports recurrent unexpected panic attacks and at least 1 month of persistent
concern about additional attacks or their consequences. What is the diagnosis?
A. Specific Phobia
B. Social Anxiety Disorder
C. Generalized Anxiety Disorder
D. Panic Disorder
Answer: D
Explanation: Panic Disorder involves recurrent unexpected panic attacks. The diagnosis
requires that at least one of the attacks has been followed by 1 month (or more) of one or
both of the following: persistent concern/worry about additional panic attacks or a
significant maladaptive change in behavior related to the attacks. This differentiates it from
isolated panic attacks that occur in other anxiety disorders.
5. Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is characterized by excessive anxiety and worry
occurring more days than not for at least how many months?
A. 6 months
B. 3 months
C. 9 months
D. 12 months
Answer: A
Explanation: According to the DSM-5-TR, GAD is defined by excessive anxiety and worry
about a number of events or activities for at least 6 months. The individual finds it difficult
to control the worry. The anxiety and worry are associated with three or more of six
physical or cognitive symptoms.
6. A 10-year-old child displays a pattern of angry/irritable mood, argumentative/defiant
behavior, or vindictiveness lasting at least 6 months. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Conduct Disorder
B. Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
C. Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder
D. Oppositional Defiant Disorder
, Answer: D
Explanation: Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) is characterized by a pattern of
angry/irritable mood and defiant behavior lasting at least 6 months. It differs from Conduct
Disorder in that it does not typically involve aggression toward people or animals,
destruction of property, or a pattern of theft or deceit. ODD is often a precursor but is
distinct in its symptom profile.
7. Which disorder is defined by the development of emotional or behavioral symptoms in
response to an identifiable stressor occurring within 3 months of the onset of the stressor?
A. Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
B. Acute Stress Disorder
C. Adjustment Disorder
D. Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Answer: C
Explanation: Adjustment Disorder requires that symptoms develop within 3 months of the
onset of the stressor. These symptoms must be clinically significant and not represent
normal bereavement. Once the stressor or its consequences have terminated, the
symptoms do not persist for more than an additional 6 months.
8. To be diagnosed with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), the duration of symptoms
(intrusion, avoidance, etc.) must be more than:
A. 2 weeks
B. 6 months
C. 3 months
D. 1 month
Answer: D
Explanation: PTSD requires that the duration of the disturbance is more than 1 month. If
the symptoms occur for less than 1 month after the trauma, the diagnosis of Acute Stress
Disorder is used. PTSD symptoms must cause clinically significant distress or impairment
in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.
9. A client reports preoccupation with one or more perceived defects or flaws in physical
appearance that are not observable or appear slight to others. This is characteristic of:
A. Body Dysmorphic Disorder
B. Anorexia Nervosa
C. Somatic Symptom Disorder
with Rationale (COUC546 Final Exam) | Liberty University
1. A 25-year-old male presents with continuous signs of disturbance for at least 6 months,
including one month of active-phase symptoms such as delusions and hallucinations. Which
diagnosis is most appropriate?
A. Schizophrenia
B. Schizophreniform Disorder
C. Brief Psychotic Disorder
D. Schizoaffective Disorder
Answer: A
Explanation: Schizophrenia requires continuous signs of the disturbance for at least 6
months. This 6-month period must include at least 1 month of symptoms that meet
Criterion A (active-phase symptoms). If the symptoms last less than 6 months,
Schizophreniform or Brief Psychotic Disorder would be considered.
2. To meet the criteria for Major Depressive Disorder, symptoms must be present during the
same how many week period?
A. 1 week
B. 2 weeks
C. 4 weeks
D. 6 weeks
Answer: B
Explanation: Major Depressive Disorder requires five or more symptoms to be present
during the same 2-week period. At least one of the symptoms must be either depressed
mood or loss of interest or pleasure. This temporal requirement distinguishes acute
depressive episodes from more chronic conditions like Persistent Depressive Disorder.
3. Which of the following distinguishes Bipolar I Disorder from Bipolar II Disorder?
A. The presence of a major depressive episode
B. The presence of psychotic features in depression
C. The duration of hypomanic symptoms
D. The presence of at least one manic episode
Answer: D
,Explanation: Bipolar I Disorder requires the occurrence of at least one manic episode in
the individual’s lifetime. Bipolar II Disorder is characterized by at least one hypomanic
episode and at least one major depressive episode, but never a full manic episode. The
distinction is clinical, based on the severity and functional impairment associated with the
elevated mood phase.
4. A client reports recurrent unexpected panic attacks and at least 1 month of persistent
concern about additional attacks or their consequences. What is the diagnosis?
A. Specific Phobia
B. Social Anxiety Disorder
C. Generalized Anxiety Disorder
D. Panic Disorder
Answer: D
Explanation: Panic Disorder involves recurrent unexpected panic attacks. The diagnosis
requires that at least one of the attacks has been followed by 1 month (or more) of one or
both of the following: persistent concern/worry about additional panic attacks or a
significant maladaptive change in behavior related to the attacks. This differentiates it from
isolated panic attacks that occur in other anxiety disorders.
5. Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is characterized by excessive anxiety and worry
occurring more days than not for at least how many months?
A. 6 months
B. 3 months
C. 9 months
D. 12 months
Answer: A
Explanation: According to the DSM-5-TR, GAD is defined by excessive anxiety and worry
about a number of events or activities for at least 6 months. The individual finds it difficult
to control the worry. The anxiety and worry are associated with three or more of six
physical or cognitive symptoms.
6. A 10-year-old child displays a pattern of angry/irritable mood, argumentative/defiant
behavior, or vindictiveness lasting at least 6 months. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Conduct Disorder
B. Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
C. Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder
D. Oppositional Defiant Disorder
, Answer: D
Explanation: Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) is characterized by a pattern of
angry/irritable mood and defiant behavior lasting at least 6 months. It differs from Conduct
Disorder in that it does not typically involve aggression toward people or animals,
destruction of property, or a pattern of theft or deceit. ODD is often a precursor but is
distinct in its symptom profile.
7. Which disorder is defined by the development of emotional or behavioral symptoms in
response to an identifiable stressor occurring within 3 months of the onset of the stressor?
A. Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
B. Acute Stress Disorder
C. Adjustment Disorder
D. Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Answer: C
Explanation: Adjustment Disorder requires that symptoms develop within 3 months of the
onset of the stressor. These symptoms must be clinically significant and not represent
normal bereavement. Once the stressor or its consequences have terminated, the
symptoms do not persist for more than an additional 6 months.
8. To be diagnosed with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), the duration of symptoms
(intrusion, avoidance, etc.) must be more than:
A. 2 weeks
B. 6 months
C. 3 months
D. 1 month
Answer: D
Explanation: PTSD requires that the duration of the disturbance is more than 1 month. If
the symptoms occur for less than 1 month after the trauma, the diagnosis of Acute Stress
Disorder is used. PTSD symptoms must cause clinically significant distress or impairment
in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.
9. A client reports preoccupation with one or more perceived defects or flaws in physical
appearance that are not observable or appear slight to others. This is characteristic of:
A. Body Dysmorphic Disorder
B. Anorexia Nervosa
C. Somatic Symptom Disorder
