NR 547 DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS IN PSYCHIATRIC MENTAL HEALTH FINAL EXAM –
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS | VERIFIED AND WELL DETAILED ANSWERS | PLUS
RATIONALES | DOWNLOAD AND PASS | LATEST EXAM UPDATE
CORE DOMAINS
Psychiatric diagnostic classification (DSM-5-TR)
Mood disorders differential diagnosis
Psychotic spectrum disorders
Anxiety and trauma-related disorders
Substance use and medication-induced disorders
Personality disorders and behavioral syndromes
Neurocognitive and delirium disorders
Risk assessment and clinical decision-making
INTRODUCTION
This examination assesses advanced clinical reasoning in psychiatric-mental health
differential diagnosis. It evaluates the learner’s ability to distinguish between overlapping
psychiatric conditions using DSM-based criteria, clinical presentation, and patient history.
The exam emphasizes applied decision-making in real-world psychiatric settings, including
emergency, inpatient, and outpatient care. Questions are structured in multiple-choice
,format with clinical vignettes requiring accurate identification of diagnoses, etiologies, and
appropriate management considerations. The assessment also tests knowledge of
psychopharmacology, ethics, and risk assessment to ensure safe and effective psychiatric
practice.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–50
Question 1
A 24-year-old presents with hallucinations, disorganized speech, and social withdrawal for
8 months. Most likely diagnosis?
A. Schizophrenia
B. Schizophreniform disorder
C. Brief psychotic disorder
D. Delusional disorder
🟢 Correct Answer: A. Schizophrenia
🔴 Explanation: Symptoms lasting more than 6 months with functional decline indicate
schizophrenia.
,Question 2
A patient develops confusion, fluctuating attention, and disorientation after surgery.
Diagnosis?
A. Dementia
B. Delirium
C. Depression
D. Schizoaffective disorder
🟢 Correct Answer: B. Delirium
🔴 Explanation: Acute onset with fluctuating cognition suggests delirium.
Question 3
Which symptom is most specific to major depressive disorder?
A. Fatigue
B. Insomnia
C. Anhedonia
D. Irritability
, 🟢 Correct Answer: C. Anhedonia
🔴 Explanation: Loss of interest or pleasure is core to depression diagnosis.
Question 4
A patient has elevated mood, grandiosity, and decreased need for sleep for 10 days.
Diagnosis?
A. Cyclothymic disorder
B. Bipolar I disorder (mania)
C. Bipolar II disorder
D. Major depressive disorder
🟢 Correct Answer: B. Bipolar I disorder (mania)
🔴 Explanation: Mania lasting ≥7 days confirms Bipolar I.
Question 5
Which condition is most associated with fear of abandonment and unstable relationships?
A. Narcissistic personality disorder
B. Borderline personality disorder
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS | VERIFIED AND WELL DETAILED ANSWERS | PLUS
RATIONALES | DOWNLOAD AND PASS | LATEST EXAM UPDATE
CORE DOMAINS
Psychiatric diagnostic classification (DSM-5-TR)
Mood disorders differential diagnosis
Psychotic spectrum disorders
Anxiety and trauma-related disorders
Substance use and medication-induced disorders
Personality disorders and behavioral syndromes
Neurocognitive and delirium disorders
Risk assessment and clinical decision-making
INTRODUCTION
This examination assesses advanced clinical reasoning in psychiatric-mental health
differential diagnosis. It evaluates the learner’s ability to distinguish between overlapping
psychiatric conditions using DSM-based criteria, clinical presentation, and patient history.
The exam emphasizes applied decision-making in real-world psychiatric settings, including
emergency, inpatient, and outpatient care. Questions are structured in multiple-choice
,format with clinical vignettes requiring accurate identification of diagnoses, etiologies, and
appropriate management considerations. The assessment also tests knowledge of
psychopharmacology, ethics, and risk assessment to ensure safe and effective psychiatric
practice.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–50
Question 1
A 24-year-old presents with hallucinations, disorganized speech, and social withdrawal for
8 months. Most likely diagnosis?
A. Schizophrenia
B. Schizophreniform disorder
C. Brief psychotic disorder
D. Delusional disorder
🟢 Correct Answer: A. Schizophrenia
🔴 Explanation: Symptoms lasting more than 6 months with functional decline indicate
schizophrenia.
,Question 2
A patient develops confusion, fluctuating attention, and disorientation after surgery.
Diagnosis?
A. Dementia
B. Delirium
C. Depression
D. Schizoaffective disorder
🟢 Correct Answer: B. Delirium
🔴 Explanation: Acute onset with fluctuating cognition suggests delirium.
Question 3
Which symptom is most specific to major depressive disorder?
A. Fatigue
B. Insomnia
C. Anhedonia
D. Irritability
, 🟢 Correct Answer: C. Anhedonia
🔴 Explanation: Loss of interest or pleasure is core to depression diagnosis.
Question 4
A patient has elevated mood, grandiosity, and decreased need for sleep for 10 days.
Diagnosis?
A. Cyclothymic disorder
B. Bipolar I disorder (mania)
C. Bipolar II disorder
D. Major depressive disorder
🟢 Correct Answer: B. Bipolar I disorder (mania)
🔴 Explanation: Mania lasting ≥7 days confirms Bipolar I.
Question 5
Which condition is most associated with fear of abandonment and unstable relationships?
A. Narcissistic personality disorder
B. Borderline personality disorder
