NR.110.575 Differential Diagnosis of Mental
Disorders
Final Exam Review (Qns & Ans)
2025
1. When diagnosing major depressive disorder (MDD), which
symptom is mandatory for the diagnosis?
A. Psychotic features
B. Depressed mood or loss of interest/pleasure
C. Excessive energy
D. Mood swings
ANS: B. Depressed mood or loss of interest/pleasure
Rationale: MDD requires the presence of depressed mood or
anhedonia for diagnosis, as per DSM-5 criteria.
©2025
,2. How can bipolar disorder be differentiated from major
depressive disorder?
A. Presence of manic or hypomanic episodes
B. Onset during adolescence
C. Presence of cognitive impairments
D. Absence of psychotic features
ANS: A. Presence of manic or hypomanic episodes
Rationale: Bipolar disorder is characterized by mood swings
that include mania or hypomania, distinguishing it from unipolar
depression.
3. Which symptom is most specific to generalized anxiety
disorder (GAD)?
A. Flashbacks
B. Excessive worry about multiple domains
C. Hyperactivity
D. Auditory hallucinations
ANS: B. Excessive worry about multiple domains
Rationale: GAD involves pervasive, uncontrollable worry
across multiple aspects of life.
©2025
, 4. What distinguishes schizophrenia from schizoaffective
disorder?
A. Presence of substance use
B. Duration of psychosis
C. Co-occurring mood disorder in schizoaffective disorder
D. Positive symptoms
ANS: C. Co-occurring mood disorder in schizoaffective
disorder
Rationale: Schizoaffective disorder includes psychosis and
significant mood disturbance, unlike schizophrenia.
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True/False Questions
5. Hallucinations must occur in all psychotic disorders for
diagnosis.
ANS: False
Rationale: Hallucinations are common but not mandatory in
all psychotic disorders; delusions and disorganized thinking are
other key features.
6. Substance use disorders cannot mimic symptoms of mental
health conditions like anxiety or psychosis.
©2025
Disorders
Final Exam Review (Qns & Ans)
2025
1. When diagnosing major depressive disorder (MDD), which
symptom is mandatory for the diagnosis?
A. Psychotic features
B. Depressed mood or loss of interest/pleasure
C. Excessive energy
D. Mood swings
ANS: B. Depressed mood or loss of interest/pleasure
Rationale: MDD requires the presence of depressed mood or
anhedonia for diagnosis, as per DSM-5 criteria.
©2025
,2. How can bipolar disorder be differentiated from major
depressive disorder?
A. Presence of manic or hypomanic episodes
B. Onset during adolescence
C. Presence of cognitive impairments
D. Absence of psychotic features
ANS: A. Presence of manic or hypomanic episodes
Rationale: Bipolar disorder is characterized by mood swings
that include mania or hypomania, distinguishing it from unipolar
depression.
3. Which symptom is most specific to generalized anxiety
disorder (GAD)?
A. Flashbacks
B. Excessive worry about multiple domains
C. Hyperactivity
D. Auditory hallucinations
ANS: B. Excessive worry about multiple domains
Rationale: GAD involves pervasive, uncontrollable worry
across multiple aspects of life.
©2025
, 4. What distinguishes schizophrenia from schizoaffective
disorder?
A. Presence of substance use
B. Duration of psychosis
C. Co-occurring mood disorder in schizoaffective disorder
D. Positive symptoms
ANS: C. Co-occurring mood disorder in schizoaffective
disorder
Rationale: Schizoaffective disorder includes psychosis and
significant mood disturbance, unlike schizophrenia.
---
True/False Questions
5. Hallucinations must occur in all psychotic disorders for
diagnosis.
ANS: False
Rationale: Hallucinations are common but not mandatory in
all psychotic disorders; delusions and disorganized thinking are
other key features.
6. Substance use disorders cannot mimic symptoms of mental
health conditions like anxiety or psychosis.
©2025
