COUC 546 Final Exam V1 | COUC 546 Psychopathology | Actual Q&A
with Rationale (COUC546 Final Exam) | Liberty University
1. According to the DSM-5-TR, what is the minimum duration of symptoms required for a
diagnosis of Schizophrenia?
A. 1 month
B. 1 year
C. 3 months
D. 6 months
Answer: D
Explanation: A Schizophrenia diagnosis requires continuous signs of the disturbance for at
least six months. This period must include at least one month of active-phase symptoms
such as delusions or hallucinations. This requirement distinguishes the disorder from
Schizophreniform Disorder, which involves a shorter duration of symptoms.
2. Which of the following is a primary requirement for a Bipolar I Disorder diagnosis?
A. Evidence of rapid cycling
B. At least one major depressive episode
C. At least one hypomanic episode
D. At least one manic episode
Answer: D
Explanation: Bipolar I Disorder is primarily defined by the occurrence of at least one
manic episode during the individual’s lifetime. While depressive episodes are extremely
common, they are not strictly required for a Bipolar I diagnosis in the same way they are
for Bipolar II. The manic episode must last at least one week and cause significant
impairment in social or occupational functioning.
3. What is the required duration for Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia) in adults?
A. 2 years
B. 6 months
C. 1 year
D. 5 years
Answer: A
,Explanation: For adults, Persistent Depressive Disorder requires a depressed mood that
occurs for most of the day, for more days than not, for at least two years. During these two
years, the individual must not have been without the symptoms for more than two months
at a time. This chronic nature differentiates it from a single Major Depressive Episode.
4. Which personality disorder is characterized by a pervasive pattern of instability in
interpersonal relationships, self-image, and affects?
A. Antisocial Personality Disorder
B. Narcissistic Personality Disorder
C. Borderline Personality Disorder
D. Histrionic Personality Disorder
Answer: C
Explanation: Borderline Personality Disorder is defined by a consistent pattern of
instability regarding self-image, emotions, and relationships. Individuals often experience
intense fears of abandonment and may engage in impulsive or self-harming behaviors.
These patterns typically begin by early adulthood and are present across various contexts.
5. Under PTSD Criterion A, which of the following is considered a qualifying traumatic event?
A. Watching a fictional violent movie
B. Directly experiencing or witnessing a life-threatening event
C. General financial stress
D. A difficult breakup
Answer: B
Explanation: Criterion A for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder requires exposure to actual or
threatened death, serious injury, or sexual violence. This exposure can occur through direct
experience, witnessing the event in person, or learning that a traumatic event occurred to a
close family member. General life stressors that do not involve a threat to physical integrity
do not meet this specific diagnostic threshold.
6. What is the central feature of Social Anxiety Disorder?
A. Fear of being in a crowd
B. Fear of having a panic attack in public
C. Fear of scrutiny or negative evaluation by others
D. Fear of germs in social settings
Answer: C
, Explanation: Social Anxiety Disorder involves a marked fear or anxiety about one or more
social situations in which the individual is exposed to possible scrutiny by others. The
individual fears that they will act in a way or show anxiety symptoms that will be
negatively evaluated. This fear is disproportionate to the actual threat posed by the social
situation.
7. Which criteria must be met for a diagnosis of Panic Disorder?
A. Anxiety about public speaking and sweating
B. One single panic attack followed by social isolation
C. Recurrent unexpected panic attacks and worry about future attacks
D. Panic attacks that only occur during high-stress exams
Answer: C
Explanation: Panic Disorder requires the presence of recurrent, unexpected panic attacks
that are not triggered by a specific phobia. Following at least one of the attacks, there must
be at least one month of persistent concern about additional attacks or a significant
maladaptive change in behavior. If attacks are always expected and triggered by specific
situations, other anxiety disorders should be considered.
8. Narcissistic Personality Disorder is primarily characterized by which of the following?
A. Extreme shyness and social inhibition
B. A desire to be taken care of by others
C. Grandiosity, a need for admiration, and a lack of empathy
D. Recurrent suicidal gestures
Answer: C
Explanation: Narcissistic Personality Disorder involves a pervasive pattern of grandiosity,
whether in fantasy or behavior, and a consistent lack of empathy for others. Individuals
with this disorder often have an exaggerated sense of self-importance and believe they are
‘special’ or unique. This pattern begins by early adulthood and is evident in various life
domains.
9. What is the primary diagnostic differentiator between Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia
Nervosa?
A. The presence of binge eating
B. The use of compensatory behaviors like purging
C. A fear of gaining weight
D. The presence of significantly low body weight
with Rationale (COUC546 Final Exam) | Liberty University
1. According to the DSM-5-TR, what is the minimum duration of symptoms required for a
diagnosis of Schizophrenia?
A. 1 month
B. 1 year
C. 3 months
D. 6 months
Answer: D
Explanation: A Schizophrenia diagnosis requires continuous signs of the disturbance for at
least six months. This period must include at least one month of active-phase symptoms
such as delusions or hallucinations. This requirement distinguishes the disorder from
Schizophreniform Disorder, which involves a shorter duration of symptoms.
2. Which of the following is a primary requirement for a Bipolar I Disorder diagnosis?
A. Evidence of rapid cycling
B. At least one major depressive episode
C. At least one hypomanic episode
D. At least one manic episode
Answer: D
Explanation: Bipolar I Disorder is primarily defined by the occurrence of at least one
manic episode during the individual’s lifetime. While depressive episodes are extremely
common, they are not strictly required for a Bipolar I diagnosis in the same way they are
for Bipolar II. The manic episode must last at least one week and cause significant
impairment in social or occupational functioning.
3. What is the required duration for Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia) in adults?
A. 2 years
B. 6 months
C. 1 year
D. 5 years
Answer: A
,Explanation: For adults, Persistent Depressive Disorder requires a depressed mood that
occurs for most of the day, for more days than not, for at least two years. During these two
years, the individual must not have been without the symptoms for more than two months
at a time. This chronic nature differentiates it from a single Major Depressive Episode.
4. Which personality disorder is characterized by a pervasive pattern of instability in
interpersonal relationships, self-image, and affects?
A. Antisocial Personality Disorder
B. Narcissistic Personality Disorder
C. Borderline Personality Disorder
D. Histrionic Personality Disorder
Answer: C
Explanation: Borderline Personality Disorder is defined by a consistent pattern of
instability regarding self-image, emotions, and relationships. Individuals often experience
intense fears of abandonment and may engage in impulsive or self-harming behaviors.
These patterns typically begin by early adulthood and are present across various contexts.
5. Under PTSD Criterion A, which of the following is considered a qualifying traumatic event?
A. Watching a fictional violent movie
B. Directly experiencing or witnessing a life-threatening event
C. General financial stress
D. A difficult breakup
Answer: B
Explanation: Criterion A for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder requires exposure to actual or
threatened death, serious injury, or sexual violence. This exposure can occur through direct
experience, witnessing the event in person, or learning that a traumatic event occurred to a
close family member. General life stressors that do not involve a threat to physical integrity
do not meet this specific diagnostic threshold.
6. What is the central feature of Social Anxiety Disorder?
A. Fear of being in a crowd
B. Fear of having a panic attack in public
C. Fear of scrutiny or negative evaluation by others
D. Fear of germs in social settings
Answer: C
, Explanation: Social Anxiety Disorder involves a marked fear or anxiety about one or more
social situations in which the individual is exposed to possible scrutiny by others. The
individual fears that they will act in a way or show anxiety symptoms that will be
negatively evaluated. This fear is disproportionate to the actual threat posed by the social
situation.
7. Which criteria must be met for a diagnosis of Panic Disorder?
A. Anxiety about public speaking and sweating
B. One single panic attack followed by social isolation
C. Recurrent unexpected panic attacks and worry about future attacks
D. Panic attacks that only occur during high-stress exams
Answer: C
Explanation: Panic Disorder requires the presence of recurrent, unexpected panic attacks
that are not triggered by a specific phobia. Following at least one of the attacks, there must
be at least one month of persistent concern about additional attacks or a significant
maladaptive change in behavior. If attacks are always expected and triggered by specific
situations, other anxiety disorders should be considered.
8. Narcissistic Personality Disorder is primarily characterized by which of the following?
A. Extreme shyness and social inhibition
B. A desire to be taken care of by others
C. Grandiosity, a need for admiration, and a lack of empathy
D. Recurrent suicidal gestures
Answer: C
Explanation: Narcissistic Personality Disorder involves a pervasive pattern of grandiosity,
whether in fantasy or behavior, and a consistent lack of empathy for others. Individuals
with this disorder often have an exaggerated sense of self-importance and believe they are
‘special’ or unique. This pattern begins by early adulthood and is evident in various life
domains.
9. What is the primary diagnostic differentiator between Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia
Nervosa?
A. The presence of binge eating
B. The use of compensatory behaviors like purging
C. A fear of gaining weight
D. The presence of significantly low body weight
