,NR547 CEA Exam | Pre-Clinical Diagnostic Comprehensive Assessment Actual Questions
& Verified Answers
1. A 32-year-old female presents with episodic periods of feeling "on top of the
world," decreased need for sleep, and engaging in risky behaviors lasting 4-5 days,
followed by periods of depression lasting 2-3 weeks. She denies any history of
psychotic features. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Bipolar I Disorder
B. Bipolar II Disorder
C. Cyclothymic Disorder
D. Major Depressive Disorder
Rationale: Bipolar II Disorder is characterized by at least one hypomanic episode (lasting
at least 4 days) and one major depressive episode, without a history of manic or mixed
episodes. The patient's symptoms are consistent with hypomania (not full mania) because
they last less than 7 days and do not include psychotic features or severe impairment .
2. Which of the following is required for a diagnosis of Cyclothymic Disorder?
A. At least one manic episode
B. At least one major depressive episode
C. Symptoms present for at least 2 years in adults (1 year in children/adolescents)
D. Presence of psychotic features
Rationale: Cyclothymic Disorder is a chronic, fluctuating mood disturbance involving
numerous periods of hypomanic symptoms and depressive symptoms that do not meet full
criteria for hypomanic or major depressive episodes. The symptoms must be present for at
least 2 years in adults (1 year in children/adolescents) .
3. A 45-year-old patient presents with a 6-month history of persistent, excessive
worry about multiple events and activities. He reports difficulty controlling the
worry, as well as restlessness, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, irritability, muscle
tension, and sleep disturbance. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Panic Disorder
,B. Social Anxiety Disorder
C. Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
D. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Rationale: Generalized Anxiety Disorder is characterized by excessive, uncontrollable worry
about multiple domains occurring more days than not for at least 6 months, accompanied
by at least three of the six associated symptoms (restlessness, fatigue, difficulty
concentrating, irritability, muscle tension, sleep disturbance) .
4. A 28-year-old patient reports recurrent, unexpected panic attacks and has been
persistently worried about having additional attacks for the past month. She has
changed her behavior to avoid situations where escape might be difficult. What is
the most likely diagnosis?
A. Generalized Anxiety Disorder
B. Panic Disorder
C. Agoraphobia
D. Social Anxiety Disorder
Rationale: Panic Disorder is characterized by recurrent, unexpected panic attacks followed
by at least one month of persistent concern about additional attacks, worry about the
consequences of attacks, or maladaptive behavioral changes related to the attacks. The
avoidance of situations where escape might be difficult suggests agoraphobia, which is
often comorbid with panic disorder .
5. A patient reports intense fear of being judged or scrutinized by others in social
situations, which has been present for 8 months. She avoids social gatherings and
fears she will embarrass herself. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Agoraphobia
B. Generalized Anxiety Disorder
C. Social Anxiety Disorder (Social Phobia)
D. Panic Disorder
Rationale: Social Anxiety Disorder is characterized by marked fear or anxiety about one or
more social situations in which the individual is exposed to possible scrutiny by others. The
, fear is of being negatively evaluated, and the individual fears acting in a way that will be
humiliating or embarrassing. The symptoms must be present for at least 6 months .
6. A 22-year-old patient reports fear of flying and avoids air travel. She
experiences intense anxiety when she must fly and has panic-like symptoms. She
has been avoiding flying for 2 years. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Panic Disorder
B. Specific Phobia
C. Agoraphobia
D. Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Rationale: Specific Phobia is characterized by marked fear or anxiety about a specific
object or situation (e.g., flying). The phobic object or situation almost always provokes
immediate fear or anxiety, and the individual actively avoids it. The fear must be
persistent, typically lasting 6 months or more .
7. A 35-year-old patient reports intrusive thoughts about contamination and
engages in excessive hand washing and cleaning rituals. She spends 2-3 hours per
day on these rituals and acknowledges that the thoughts and behaviors are
excessive. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Generalized Anxiety Disorder
B. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
C. Illness Anxiety Disorder
D. Social Anxiety Disorder
Rationale: OCD is characterized by obsessions (recurrent, persistent thoughts, urges, or
images experienced as intrusive and unwanted) and/or compulsions (repetitive behaviors
or mental acts that the individual feels driven to perform in response to an obsession). The
obsessions or compulsions are time-consuming (more than 1 hour per day) or cause
clinically significant distress or impairment .
& Verified Answers
1. A 32-year-old female presents with episodic periods of feeling "on top of the
world," decreased need for sleep, and engaging in risky behaviors lasting 4-5 days,
followed by periods of depression lasting 2-3 weeks. She denies any history of
psychotic features. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Bipolar I Disorder
B. Bipolar II Disorder
C. Cyclothymic Disorder
D. Major Depressive Disorder
Rationale: Bipolar II Disorder is characterized by at least one hypomanic episode (lasting
at least 4 days) and one major depressive episode, without a history of manic or mixed
episodes. The patient's symptoms are consistent with hypomania (not full mania) because
they last less than 7 days and do not include psychotic features or severe impairment .
2. Which of the following is required for a diagnosis of Cyclothymic Disorder?
A. At least one manic episode
B. At least one major depressive episode
C. Symptoms present for at least 2 years in adults (1 year in children/adolescents)
D. Presence of psychotic features
Rationale: Cyclothymic Disorder is a chronic, fluctuating mood disturbance involving
numerous periods of hypomanic symptoms and depressive symptoms that do not meet full
criteria for hypomanic or major depressive episodes. The symptoms must be present for at
least 2 years in adults (1 year in children/adolescents) .
3. A 45-year-old patient presents with a 6-month history of persistent, excessive
worry about multiple events and activities. He reports difficulty controlling the
worry, as well as restlessness, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, irritability, muscle
tension, and sleep disturbance. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Panic Disorder
,B. Social Anxiety Disorder
C. Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
D. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Rationale: Generalized Anxiety Disorder is characterized by excessive, uncontrollable worry
about multiple domains occurring more days than not for at least 6 months, accompanied
by at least three of the six associated symptoms (restlessness, fatigue, difficulty
concentrating, irritability, muscle tension, sleep disturbance) .
4. A 28-year-old patient reports recurrent, unexpected panic attacks and has been
persistently worried about having additional attacks for the past month. She has
changed her behavior to avoid situations where escape might be difficult. What is
the most likely diagnosis?
A. Generalized Anxiety Disorder
B. Panic Disorder
C. Agoraphobia
D. Social Anxiety Disorder
Rationale: Panic Disorder is characterized by recurrent, unexpected panic attacks followed
by at least one month of persistent concern about additional attacks, worry about the
consequences of attacks, or maladaptive behavioral changes related to the attacks. The
avoidance of situations where escape might be difficult suggests agoraphobia, which is
often comorbid with panic disorder .
5. A patient reports intense fear of being judged or scrutinized by others in social
situations, which has been present for 8 months. She avoids social gatherings and
fears she will embarrass herself. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Agoraphobia
B. Generalized Anxiety Disorder
C. Social Anxiety Disorder (Social Phobia)
D. Panic Disorder
Rationale: Social Anxiety Disorder is characterized by marked fear or anxiety about one or
more social situations in which the individual is exposed to possible scrutiny by others. The
, fear is of being negatively evaluated, and the individual fears acting in a way that will be
humiliating or embarrassing. The symptoms must be present for at least 6 months .
6. A 22-year-old patient reports fear of flying and avoids air travel. She
experiences intense anxiety when she must fly and has panic-like symptoms. She
has been avoiding flying for 2 years. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Panic Disorder
B. Specific Phobia
C. Agoraphobia
D. Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Rationale: Specific Phobia is characterized by marked fear or anxiety about a specific
object or situation (e.g., flying). The phobic object or situation almost always provokes
immediate fear or anxiety, and the individual actively avoids it. The fear must be
persistent, typically lasting 6 months or more .
7. A 35-year-old patient reports intrusive thoughts about contamination and
engages in excessive hand washing and cleaning rituals. She spends 2-3 hours per
day on these rituals and acknowledges that the thoughts and behaviors are
excessive. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Generalized Anxiety Disorder
B. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
C. Illness Anxiety Disorder
D. Social Anxiety Disorder
Rationale: OCD is characterized by obsessions (recurrent, persistent thoughts, urges, or
images experienced as intrusive and unwanted) and/or compulsions (repetitive behaviors
or mental acts that the individual feels driven to perform in response to an obsession). The
obsessions or compulsions are time-consuming (more than 1 hour per day) or cause
clinically significant distress or impairment .
