COUC 546 Final Exam V1 | COUC 546
Psychopathology | Actual Q&A with
Rationale (COUC546 Final Exam) | Liberty
University
1. A 25-year-old female presents with persistent beliefs that she is being followed by
government agents despite a lack of evidence. She has functioned well at her job for the past
two months and shows no signs of disorganized speech or negative symptoms. What is the
most likely diagnosis?
A. Schizophrenia
B. Brief Psychotic Disorder
C. Delusional Disorder
D. Schizotypal Personality Disorder
Answer: C
Rationale: Delusional disorder is characterized by the presence of one or more delusions
for a duration of one month or longer. In this case, the individual’s functioning is not
markedly impaired, and behavior is not obviously bizarre aside from the delusion. Unlike
schizophrenia, there are no hallucinations or disorganized symptoms present here.
,2. According to the DSM-5-TR, what is the minimum duration required for a diagnosis of
Major Depressive Disorder?
A. One month
B. Six months
C. One week
D. Two weeks
Answer: D
Rationale: Major Depressive Disorder requires at least five symptoms to be present during
the same two-week period. At least one of the symptoms must be either depressed mood or
loss of interest or pleasure. This timeframe distinguishes acute depressive episodes from
more chronic conditions like Persistent Depressive Disorder.
3. A client reports a distinct period of abnormally and persistently elevated mood lasting at
least 4 consecutive days, accompanied by increased energy. He has never experienced a
manic episode that required hospitalization or caused marked impairment. This most likely
describes:
A. Bipolar I Disorder
B. Cyclothymic Disorder
C. Bipolar II Disorder
D. Major Depressive Disorder
,Answer: C
Rationale: Bipolar II Disorder requires the occurrence of at least one hypomanic episode
and at least one major depressive episode. A hypomanic episode lasts at least 4 days and is
not severe enough to cause marked impairment in social or occupational functioning.
Bipolar I is ruled out because there has been no history of a full manic episode.
4. In Social Anxiety Disorder (Social Phobia), the individual’s fear or anxiety is specifically
related to:
A. Being in open spaces
B. Scrutiny by others
C. Contamination by germs
D. Having a panic attack in public
Answer: B
Rationale: Social Anxiety Disorder involves a marked fear or anxiety about one or more
social situations in which the individual is exposed to possible scrutiny by others. The
individual fears that they will act in a way or show anxiety symptoms that will be
negatively evaluated. This differs from Agoraphobia, which focuses on the inability to
escape or find help.
5. To meet the diagnostic criteria for Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), the symptoms of
excessive anxiety and worry must occur more days than not for at least:
A. 1 month
, B. 3 months
C. 12 months
D. 6 months
Answer: D
Rationale: Generalized Anxiety Disorder is defined by excessive anxiety and worry about a
number of events or activities occurring more days than not for at least 6 months. The
individual finds it difficult to control the worry. Symptoms must include at least three of the
associated physiological indicators such as restlessness, fatigue, or muscle tension.
6. Which of the following is a key differentiator between Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
(OCD) and Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD)?
A. OCD involves true obsessions and compulsions, whereas OCPD involves a pervasive
pattern of perfectionism.
B. OCD is characterized by a preoccupation with orderliness.
C. OCPD is ego-dystonic, meaning the person finds their symptoms distressing.
D. OCD does not involve repetitive behaviors.
Answer: A
Rationale: OCD is characterized by the presence of obsessions (intrusive thoughts) and
compulsions (repetitive behaviors) that are usually ego-dystonic. OCPD is a personality
disorder characterized by a pervasive pattern of preoccupation with orderliness,
Psychopathology | Actual Q&A with
Rationale (COUC546 Final Exam) | Liberty
University
1. A 25-year-old female presents with persistent beliefs that she is being followed by
government agents despite a lack of evidence. She has functioned well at her job for the past
two months and shows no signs of disorganized speech or negative symptoms. What is the
most likely diagnosis?
A. Schizophrenia
B. Brief Psychotic Disorder
C. Delusional Disorder
D. Schizotypal Personality Disorder
Answer: C
Rationale: Delusional disorder is characterized by the presence of one or more delusions
for a duration of one month or longer. In this case, the individual’s functioning is not
markedly impaired, and behavior is not obviously bizarre aside from the delusion. Unlike
schizophrenia, there are no hallucinations or disorganized symptoms present here.
,2. According to the DSM-5-TR, what is the minimum duration required for a diagnosis of
Major Depressive Disorder?
A. One month
B. Six months
C. One week
D. Two weeks
Answer: D
Rationale: Major Depressive Disorder requires at least five symptoms to be present during
the same two-week period. At least one of the symptoms must be either depressed mood or
loss of interest or pleasure. This timeframe distinguishes acute depressive episodes from
more chronic conditions like Persistent Depressive Disorder.
3. A client reports a distinct period of abnormally and persistently elevated mood lasting at
least 4 consecutive days, accompanied by increased energy. He has never experienced a
manic episode that required hospitalization or caused marked impairment. This most likely
describes:
A. Bipolar I Disorder
B. Cyclothymic Disorder
C. Bipolar II Disorder
D. Major Depressive Disorder
,Answer: C
Rationale: Bipolar II Disorder requires the occurrence of at least one hypomanic episode
and at least one major depressive episode. A hypomanic episode lasts at least 4 days and is
not severe enough to cause marked impairment in social or occupational functioning.
Bipolar I is ruled out because there has been no history of a full manic episode.
4. In Social Anxiety Disorder (Social Phobia), the individual’s fear or anxiety is specifically
related to:
A. Being in open spaces
B. Scrutiny by others
C. Contamination by germs
D. Having a panic attack in public
Answer: B
Rationale: Social Anxiety Disorder involves a marked fear or anxiety about one or more
social situations in which the individual is exposed to possible scrutiny by others. The
individual fears that they will act in a way or show anxiety symptoms that will be
negatively evaluated. This differs from Agoraphobia, which focuses on the inability to
escape or find help.
5. To meet the diagnostic criteria for Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), the symptoms of
excessive anxiety and worry must occur more days than not for at least:
A. 1 month
, B. 3 months
C. 12 months
D. 6 months
Answer: D
Rationale: Generalized Anxiety Disorder is defined by excessive anxiety and worry about a
number of events or activities occurring more days than not for at least 6 months. The
individual finds it difficult to control the worry. Symptoms must include at least three of the
associated physiological indicators such as restlessness, fatigue, or muscle tension.
6. Which of the following is a key differentiator between Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
(OCD) and Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD)?
A. OCD involves true obsessions and compulsions, whereas OCPD involves a pervasive
pattern of perfectionism.
B. OCD is characterized by a preoccupation with orderliness.
C. OCPD is ego-dystonic, meaning the person finds their symptoms distressing.
D. OCD does not involve repetitive behaviors.
Answer: A
Rationale: OCD is characterized by the presence of obsessions (intrusive thoughts) and
compulsions (repetitive behaviors) that are usually ego-dystonic. OCPD is a personality
disorder characterized by a pervasive pattern of preoccupation with orderliness,
