COUC 546 Exam 3 V1 | COUC 546
Psychopathology | Actual Q&A with
Rationale (COUC546 Exam 3) | Liberty
University
1. A 24-year-old male presents with auditory hallucinations and persecutory delusions that
have persisted for exactly three months. He has no history of a major depressive or manic
episode. What is the most appropriate DSM-5-TR diagnosis?
A. Schizophreniform Disorder
B. Schizophrenia
C. Brief Psychotic Disorder
D. Delusional Disorder
Answer: A
Rationale: Schizophreniform disorder is the correct diagnosis because the duration of
symptoms is at least one month but less than six months. If the symptoms were to persist
beyond the six-month mark, the diagnosis would be updated to Schizophrenia. The absence
of a mood episode helps differentiate this from Schizoaffective Disorder.
2. Which of the following is a key requirement for a diagnosis of Schizoaffective Disorder?
A. Delusions occurring only during a major mood episode
,B. Symptoms of a major mood episode present for the minority of the total duration of the
illness
C. A history of substance-induced psychosis
D. Delusions or hallucinations for 2 or more weeks in the absence of a major mood episode
Answer: D
Rationale: Schizoaffective disorder requires that the individual meets Criterion A for
Schizophrenia and has a concurrent major mood episode. Crucially, there must be a period
of at least two weeks where psychotic symptoms exist without prominent mood symptoms.
This distinction separates it from a Depressive or Bipolar Disorder with Psychotic Features.
3. A client reports a pervasive pattern of detachment from social relationships and a
restricted range of expression of emotions in interpersonal settings. They neither desire nor
enjoy close relationships, including being part of a family. This best describes:
A. Avoidant Personality Disorder
B. Antisocial Personality Disorder
C. Schizotypal Personality Disorder
D. Schizoid Personality Disorder
Answer: D
Rationale: Schizoid Personality Disorder is characterized by a lack of interest in social
relationships and a limited emotional range. Unlike Avoidant Personality Disorder, where
,the individual fears rejection, the schizoid individual simply lacks the desire for intimacy.
This pattern must be present since early adulthood and across various contexts.
4. To meet the criteria for Bipolar I Disorder, an individual must have experienced at least
one:
A. Major Depressive Episode
B. Hypomanic Episode
C. Cyclothymic Episode
D. Manic Episode
Answer: D
Rationale: A diagnosis of Bipolar I Disorder requires the occurrence of at least one manic
episode in the lifetime. While major depressive episodes are very common in Bipolar I, they
are not strictly required for the diagnosis according to the DSM-5-TR. In contrast, Bipolar II
requires both a hypomanic episode and a major depressive episode.
5. What is the minimum duration required for the diagnosis of Persistent Depressive Disorder
(Dysthymia) in adults?
A. 6 months
B. 2 years
C. 1 year
D. 5 years
, Answer: B
Rationale: Persistent Depressive Disorder involves a depressed mood for most of the day,
for more days than not, for at least two years. In children and adolescents, the required
duration is reduced to one year, and the mood can be irritable rather than depressed.
During this period, the individual must not have been without the symptoms for more than
two months at a time.
6. A 10-year-old child exhibits severe, recurrent temper outbursts that are grossly out of
proportion in intensity or duration to the situation. These occur three or more times per
week. Between outbursts, the child’s mood is persistently irritable. What is the likely
diagnosis?
A. Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder
B. Bipolar I Disorder
C. Oppositional Defiant Disorder
D. Intermittent Explosive Disorder
Answer: A
Rationale: Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD) was introduced to address
the over-diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder in children. It focuses on chronic irritability and
frequent temper tantrums rather than episodic mania. The symptoms must be present for
12 or more months in at least two settings.
Psychopathology | Actual Q&A with
Rationale (COUC546 Exam 3) | Liberty
University
1. A 24-year-old male presents with auditory hallucinations and persecutory delusions that
have persisted for exactly three months. He has no history of a major depressive or manic
episode. What is the most appropriate DSM-5-TR diagnosis?
A. Schizophreniform Disorder
B. Schizophrenia
C. Brief Psychotic Disorder
D. Delusional Disorder
Answer: A
Rationale: Schizophreniform disorder is the correct diagnosis because the duration of
symptoms is at least one month but less than six months. If the symptoms were to persist
beyond the six-month mark, the diagnosis would be updated to Schizophrenia. The absence
of a mood episode helps differentiate this from Schizoaffective Disorder.
2. Which of the following is a key requirement for a diagnosis of Schizoaffective Disorder?
A. Delusions occurring only during a major mood episode
,B. Symptoms of a major mood episode present for the minority of the total duration of the
illness
C. A history of substance-induced psychosis
D. Delusions or hallucinations for 2 or more weeks in the absence of a major mood episode
Answer: D
Rationale: Schizoaffective disorder requires that the individual meets Criterion A for
Schizophrenia and has a concurrent major mood episode. Crucially, there must be a period
of at least two weeks where psychotic symptoms exist without prominent mood symptoms.
This distinction separates it from a Depressive or Bipolar Disorder with Psychotic Features.
3. A client reports a pervasive pattern of detachment from social relationships and a
restricted range of expression of emotions in interpersonal settings. They neither desire nor
enjoy close relationships, including being part of a family. This best describes:
A. Avoidant Personality Disorder
B. Antisocial Personality Disorder
C. Schizotypal Personality Disorder
D. Schizoid Personality Disorder
Answer: D
Rationale: Schizoid Personality Disorder is characterized by a lack of interest in social
relationships and a limited emotional range. Unlike Avoidant Personality Disorder, where
,the individual fears rejection, the schizoid individual simply lacks the desire for intimacy.
This pattern must be present since early adulthood and across various contexts.
4. To meet the criteria for Bipolar I Disorder, an individual must have experienced at least
one:
A. Major Depressive Episode
B. Hypomanic Episode
C. Cyclothymic Episode
D. Manic Episode
Answer: D
Rationale: A diagnosis of Bipolar I Disorder requires the occurrence of at least one manic
episode in the lifetime. While major depressive episodes are very common in Bipolar I, they
are not strictly required for the diagnosis according to the DSM-5-TR. In contrast, Bipolar II
requires both a hypomanic episode and a major depressive episode.
5. What is the minimum duration required for the diagnosis of Persistent Depressive Disorder
(Dysthymia) in adults?
A. 6 months
B. 2 years
C. 1 year
D. 5 years
, Answer: B
Rationale: Persistent Depressive Disorder involves a depressed mood for most of the day,
for more days than not, for at least two years. In children and adolescents, the required
duration is reduced to one year, and the mood can be irritable rather than depressed.
During this period, the individual must not have been without the symptoms for more than
two months at a time.
6. A 10-year-old child exhibits severe, recurrent temper outbursts that are grossly out of
proportion in intensity or duration to the situation. These occur three or more times per
week. Between outbursts, the child’s mood is persistently irritable. What is the likely
diagnosis?
A. Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder
B. Bipolar I Disorder
C. Oppositional Defiant Disorder
D. Intermittent Explosive Disorder
Answer: A
Rationale: Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD) was introduced to address
the over-diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder in children. It focuses on chronic irritability and
frequent temper tantrums rather than episodic mania. The symptoms must be present for
12 or more months in at least two settings.
