NRNP 6645 – Psychopathology & Diagnostic Reasoning | 100
Comprehensive Multiple-Choice Questions with Answers &
Rationales (Latest Edition)
100 Multiple-Choice Questions with Answers & Rationales
Q1.
A patient presents with recurrent unexpected panic attacks and persistent concern about future
attacks. Which is the most likely DSM-5-TR diagnosis?
A. Generalized Anxiety Disorder
B. Panic Disorder
C. Specific Phobia
D. Social Anxiety Disorder
Answer: B. Panic Disorder
Rationale: Panic disorder is diagnosed when unexpected panic attacks recur and are followed
by worry or maladaptive changes in behavior. GAD involves chronic worry, not discrete attacks.
Q2.
Which neurotransmitter imbalance is most associated with depression?
A. Dopamine and GABA
B. Serotonin and Norepinephrine
C. Acetylcholine and Histamine
D. Glutamate and Glycine
Answer: B. Serotonin and Norepinephrine
Rationale: Major depressive disorder is strongly linked to deficiencies in serotonin and
norepinephrine, which regulate mood and affect.
Q3.
A 7-year-old boy is easily distracted, forgetful, and fidgets constantly. Which disorder is most
likely?
A. Autism Spectrum Disorder
B. Oppositional Defiant Disorder
,C. ADHD – Combined Type
D. Conduct Disorder
Answer: C. ADHD – Combined Type
Rationale: ADHD includes symptoms of inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity across multiple
settings.
Q4.
Which finding is most consistent with schizophrenia?
A. Expansive mood
B. Loose associations
C. Obsessions
D. Panic attacks
Answer: B. Loose associations
Rationale: Schizophrenia involves thought disorder, including loose associations, hallucinations,
and delusions.
Q5.
Which assessment tool is most appropriate to evaluate depression severity?
A. PHQ-9
B. GAD-7
C. CAGE
D. MMSE
Answer: A. PHQ-9
Rationale: The PHQ-9 is a validated 9-item questionnaire specifically for depression severity.
Q6.
A patient persistently worries about multiple life areas for more than 6 months. Which is the
most likely diagnosis?
A. Panic Disorder
B. Generalized Anxiety Disorder
C. OCD
D. PTSD
, Answer: B. Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Rationale: GAD requires excessive worry lasting ≥6 months across multiple domains.
Q7.
In bipolar disorder, which feature differentiates mania from hypomania?
A. Elevated mood
B. Decreased need for sleep
C. Impairment in functioning or hospitalization
D. Increased talkativeness
Answer: C. Impairment in functioning or hospitalization
Rationale: Mania causes marked impairment, may require hospitalization, or include psychosis;
hypomania does not.
Q8.
Which is a positive symptom of schizophrenia?
A. Flat affect
B. Anhedonia
C. Delusions
D. Social withdrawal
Answer: C. Delusions
Rationale: Positive symptoms are excesses like hallucinations and delusions. Negative symptoms
include blunted affect and withdrawal.
Q9.
Which disorder is most associated with flashbacks and hyperarousal?
A. OCD
B. PTSD
C. GAD
D. Schizophrenia
Answer: B. PTSD
Rationale: PTSD symptoms include re-experiencing, avoidance, negative mood, and
hyperarousal.
Comprehensive Multiple-Choice Questions with Answers &
Rationales (Latest Edition)
100 Multiple-Choice Questions with Answers & Rationales
Q1.
A patient presents with recurrent unexpected panic attacks and persistent concern about future
attacks. Which is the most likely DSM-5-TR diagnosis?
A. Generalized Anxiety Disorder
B. Panic Disorder
C. Specific Phobia
D. Social Anxiety Disorder
Answer: B. Panic Disorder
Rationale: Panic disorder is diagnosed when unexpected panic attacks recur and are followed
by worry or maladaptive changes in behavior. GAD involves chronic worry, not discrete attacks.
Q2.
Which neurotransmitter imbalance is most associated with depression?
A. Dopamine and GABA
B. Serotonin and Norepinephrine
C. Acetylcholine and Histamine
D. Glutamate and Glycine
Answer: B. Serotonin and Norepinephrine
Rationale: Major depressive disorder is strongly linked to deficiencies in serotonin and
norepinephrine, which regulate mood and affect.
Q3.
A 7-year-old boy is easily distracted, forgetful, and fidgets constantly. Which disorder is most
likely?
A. Autism Spectrum Disorder
B. Oppositional Defiant Disorder
,C. ADHD – Combined Type
D. Conduct Disorder
Answer: C. ADHD – Combined Type
Rationale: ADHD includes symptoms of inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity across multiple
settings.
Q4.
Which finding is most consistent with schizophrenia?
A. Expansive mood
B. Loose associations
C. Obsessions
D. Panic attacks
Answer: B. Loose associations
Rationale: Schizophrenia involves thought disorder, including loose associations, hallucinations,
and delusions.
Q5.
Which assessment tool is most appropriate to evaluate depression severity?
A. PHQ-9
B. GAD-7
C. CAGE
D. MMSE
Answer: A. PHQ-9
Rationale: The PHQ-9 is a validated 9-item questionnaire specifically for depression severity.
Q6.
A patient persistently worries about multiple life areas for more than 6 months. Which is the
most likely diagnosis?
A. Panic Disorder
B. Generalized Anxiety Disorder
C. OCD
D. PTSD
, Answer: B. Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Rationale: GAD requires excessive worry lasting ≥6 months across multiple domains.
Q7.
In bipolar disorder, which feature differentiates mania from hypomania?
A. Elevated mood
B. Decreased need for sleep
C. Impairment in functioning or hospitalization
D. Increased talkativeness
Answer: C. Impairment in functioning or hospitalization
Rationale: Mania causes marked impairment, may require hospitalization, or include psychosis;
hypomania does not.
Q8.
Which is a positive symptom of schizophrenia?
A. Flat affect
B. Anhedonia
C. Delusions
D. Social withdrawal
Answer: C. Delusions
Rationale: Positive symptoms are excesses like hallucinations and delusions. Negative symptoms
include blunted affect and withdrawal.
Q9.
Which disorder is most associated with flashbacks and hyperarousal?
A. OCD
B. PTSD
C. GAD
D. Schizophrenia
Answer: B. PTSD
Rationale: PTSD symptoms include re-experiencing, avoidance, negative mood, and
hyperarousal.
