COUC 546 Final Exam V3 | COUC 546 Psychopathology | Actual Q&A
with Rationale (COUC546 Final Exam) | Liberty University
1. Which of the following criteria is required for a diagnosis of Schizophrenia according to the
DSM-5-TR?
A. Symptoms must be present for at least one month but less than six months.
B. The presence of only one symptom if it is a bizarre delusion.
C. Continuous signs of the disturbance must persist for at least 6 months.
D. A significant history of Major Depressive Disorder with psychotic features.
Answer: C
Explanation: To meet the criteria for Schizophrenia, signs of the disturbance must persist
for a minimum of 6 months. This timeframe includes at least 1 month of active-phase
symptoms (such as delusions or hallucinations) and may include prodromal or residual
periods. Distinguishing Schizophrenia from Schizophreniform disorder relies heavily on
this specific duration requirement.
2. A 24-year-old female reports a 2-week period of elevated mood, decreased need for sleep
(3 hours), and excessive spending that resulted in financial strain. She has no history of
depressive episodes. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Bipolar II Disorder
B. Bipolar I Disorder
C. Cyclothymic Disorder
D. Major Depressive Disorder with manic features
Answer: B
Explanation: Bipolar I Disorder requires the occurrence of at least one manic episode.
Unlike Bipolar II, a major depressive episode is not required for a Bipolar I diagnosis. The
description of elevated mood and significant impairment like financial strain indicates a full
manic episode rather than hypomania.
3. In Major Depressive Disorder, which of the following must be one of the five symptoms
required for diagnosis during a 2-week period?
A. Depressed mood or loss of interest or pleasure
B. Psychomotor agitation
C. Feelings of worthlessness
D. Recurrent thoughts of death
,Answer: A
Explanation: Diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder requires at least five symptoms to be
present during the same 2-week period. At least one of these symptoms must be either
depressed mood or loss of interest or pleasure (anhedonia). The other symptoms can
include changes in weight, sleep, or energy levels, but the core mood symptoms are
essential for clinical identification.
4. Which of the following distinguishes Social Anxiety Disorder from Agoraphobia?
A. Social Anxiety Disorder focuses on fear of scrutiny by others.
B. Agoraphobia involves fear of negative evaluation.
C. Social Anxiety Disorder involves fear of open spaces.
D. Agoraphobia requires the presence of panic attacks.
Answer: A
Explanation: Social Anxiety Disorder is characterized by an intense fear of being
scrutinized or negatively evaluated by others in social situations. In contrast, Agoraphobia
is focused on the fear of being in places where escape might be difficult or help unavailable.
Clinicians must differentiate whether the anxiety stems from the social interaction itself or
the physical environment.
5. A patient experiences recurrent, unexpected panic attacks and has spent the last 2 months
worrying about having another attack. This behavior best describes:
A. Specific Phobia
B. Separation Anxiety Disorder
C. Generalized Anxiety Disorder
D. Panic Disorder
Answer: D
Explanation: Panic Disorder is defined by recurrent unexpected panic attacks followed by
at least one month of persistent concern about additional attacks or their consequences.
The worry often leads to maladaptive changes in behavior, such as avoiding unfamiliar
situations. It is distinct from other anxiety disorders because the panic attacks are not
exclusively triggered by a specific object or social situation.
6. A 10-year-old child displays a pattern of angry/irritable mood, argumentative behavior,
and vindictiveness lasting at least 6 months. This most likely indicates:
A. Conduct Disorder
B. Intermittent Explosive Disorder
C. Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder
, D. Oppositional Defiant Disorder
Answer: D
Explanation: Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) involves a pattern of angry/irritable
mood and argumentative behavior toward authority figures. Unlike Conduct Disorder, ODD
does not typically include aggression toward people or animals, destruction of property, or
a pattern of theft. The symptoms must persist for at least 6 months to meet the diagnostic
threshold.
7. Which personality disorder is characterized by a pervasive pattern of detachment from
social relationships and a restricted range of expression of emotions in interpersonal
settings?
A. Avoidant Personality Disorder
B. Schizotypal Personality Disorder
C. Schizoid Personality Disorder
D. Antisocial Personality Disorder
Answer: C
Explanation: Schizoid Personality Disorder is defined by a lack of interest in social
relationships and a limited emotional range. Individuals with this disorder often appear
aloof or cold and do not desire or enjoy close relationships, including being part of a family.
This differs from Avoidant Personality Disorder, where the individual desires relationships
but fears rejection.
8. To be diagnosed with Antisocial Personality Disorder, an individual must be at least how
old?
A. 15 years old
B. 21 years old
C. 18 years old
D. 16 years old
Answer: C
Explanation: Antisocial Personality Disorder cannot be formally diagnosed until the
individual is at least 18 years of age. Additionally, there must be evidence of Conduct
Disorder with onset before age 15. This longitudinal requirement ensures that the pattern
of violating the rights of others is persistent rather than a transient developmental phase.
9. Which of the following is a key feature of Borderline Personality Disorder?
A. Perfectionism and rigidity
B. Instability of interpersonal relationships, self-image, and affects
with Rationale (COUC546 Final Exam) | Liberty University
1. Which of the following criteria is required for a diagnosis of Schizophrenia according to the
DSM-5-TR?
A. Symptoms must be present for at least one month but less than six months.
B. The presence of only one symptom if it is a bizarre delusion.
C. Continuous signs of the disturbance must persist for at least 6 months.
D. A significant history of Major Depressive Disorder with psychotic features.
Answer: C
Explanation: To meet the criteria for Schizophrenia, signs of the disturbance must persist
for a minimum of 6 months. This timeframe includes at least 1 month of active-phase
symptoms (such as delusions or hallucinations) and may include prodromal or residual
periods. Distinguishing Schizophrenia from Schizophreniform disorder relies heavily on
this specific duration requirement.
2. A 24-year-old female reports a 2-week period of elevated mood, decreased need for sleep
(3 hours), and excessive spending that resulted in financial strain. She has no history of
depressive episodes. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Bipolar II Disorder
B. Bipolar I Disorder
C. Cyclothymic Disorder
D. Major Depressive Disorder with manic features
Answer: B
Explanation: Bipolar I Disorder requires the occurrence of at least one manic episode.
Unlike Bipolar II, a major depressive episode is not required for a Bipolar I diagnosis. The
description of elevated mood and significant impairment like financial strain indicates a full
manic episode rather than hypomania.
3. In Major Depressive Disorder, which of the following must be one of the five symptoms
required for diagnosis during a 2-week period?
A. Depressed mood or loss of interest or pleasure
B. Psychomotor agitation
C. Feelings of worthlessness
D. Recurrent thoughts of death
,Answer: A
Explanation: Diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder requires at least five symptoms to be
present during the same 2-week period. At least one of these symptoms must be either
depressed mood or loss of interest or pleasure (anhedonia). The other symptoms can
include changes in weight, sleep, or energy levels, but the core mood symptoms are
essential for clinical identification.
4. Which of the following distinguishes Social Anxiety Disorder from Agoraphobia?
A. Social Anxiety Disorder focuses on fear of scrutiny by others.
B. Agoraphobia involves fear of negative evaluation.
C. Social Anxiety Disorder involves fear of open spaces.
D. Agoraphobia requires the presence of panic attacks.
Answer: A
Explanation: Social Anxiety Disorder is characterized by an intense fear of being
scrutinized or negatively evaluated by others in social situations. In contrast, Agoraphobia
is focused on the fear of being in places where escape might be difficult or help unavailable.
Clinicians must differentiate whether the anxiety stems from the social interaction itself or
the physical environment.
5. A patient experiences recurrent, unexpected panic attacks and has spent the last 2 months
worrying about having another attack. This behavior best describes:
A. Specific Phobia
B. Separation Anxiety Disorder
C. Generalized Anxiety Disorder
D. Panic Disorder
Answer: D
Explanation: Panic Disorder is defined by recurrent unexpected panic attacks followed by
at least one month of persistent concern about additional attacks or their consequences.
The worry often leads to maladaptive changes in behavior, such as avoiding unfamiliar
situations. It is distinct from other anxiety disorders because the panic attacks are not
exclusively triggered by a specific object or social situation.
6. A 10-year-old child displays a pattern of angry/irritable mood, argumentative behavior,
and vindictiveness lasting at least 6 months. This most likely indicates:
A. Conduct Disorder
B. Intermittent Explosive Disorder
C. Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder
, D. Oppositional Defiant Disorder
Answer: D
Explanation: Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) involves a pattern of angry/irritable
mood and argumentative behavior toward authority figures. Unlike Conduct Disorder, ODD
does not typically include aggression toward people or animals, destruction of property, or
a pattern of theft. The symptoms must persist for at least 6 months to meet the diagnostic
threshold.
7. Which personality disorder is characterized by a pervasive pattern of detachment from
social relationships and a restricted range of expression of emotions in interpersonal
settings?
A. Avoidant Personality Disorder
B. Schizotypal Personality Disorder
C. Schizoid Personality Disorder
D. Antisocial Personality Disorder
Answer: C
Explanation: Schizoid Personality Disorder is defined by a lack of interest in social
relationships and a limited emotional range. Individuals with this disorder often appear
aloof or cold and do not desire or enjoy close relationships, including being part of a family.
This differs from Avoidant Personality Disorder, where the individual desires relationships
but fears rejection.
8. To be diagnosed with Antisocial Personality Disorder, an individual must be at least how
old?
A. 15 years old
B. 21 years old
C. 18 years old
D. 16 years old
Answer: C
Explanation: Antisocial Personality Disorder cannot be formally diagnosed until the
individual is at least 18 years of age. Additionally, there must be evidence of Conduct
Disorder with onset before age 15. This longitudinal requirement ensures that the pattern
of violating the rights of others is persistent rather than a transient developmental phase.
9. Which of the following is a key feature of Borderline Personality Disorder?
A. Perfectionism and rigidity
B. Instability of interpersonal relationships, self-image, and affects
