NR547 Week 3 Exam V2 | NR547
Differential Diagnosis in Psychiatric-
Mental Health across the Lifespan
Practicum | Q&A with Rationale (NR547
Week 3 Exam) | Chamberlain University
1. A 28-year-old male presents with excessive worry about his job performance, his health,
and his finances for the past 7 months. According to the DSM-5-TR, what is the required
duration of symptoms for a diagnosis of Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)?
A. At least 3 months
B. At least 12 months
C. At least 1 month
D. At least 6 months
Answer: D
Rationale: The DSM-5-TR specifies that Generalized Anxiety Disorder requires excessive
anxiety and worry occurring more days than not for at least 6 months. This worry must
involve several events or activities, such as work or school performance. The individual
must also find it difficult to control the worry.
2. When evaluating a 10-year-old child for Generalized Anxiety Disorder, how many physical
symptoms are required to meet Criterion C?
A. Three or more symptoms
,B. At least one symptom
C. Five or more symptoms
D. Two symptoms
Answer: B
Rationale: For children to meet the diagnostic criteria for Generalized Anxiety Disorder,
only one physical symptom from the DSM-5 list is required. This differs from adults, who
must exhibit at least three physical symptoms such as restlessness, fatigue, or muscle
tension. This modification acknowledges that children may not express multiple somatic
manifestations of anxiety in the same way adults do.
3. A patient describes sudden episodes of intense fear accompanied by palpitations,
sweating, and a fear of losing control. These episodes peak within minutes. What is the
primary difference between a Panic Attack and Panic Disorder?
A. Panic Disorder requires at least four physical symptoms, while a panic attack only
requires two.
B. There is no clinical difference; the terms are used interchangeably in the DSM-5-TR.
C. Panic attacks only occur in the presence of a known trigger, whereas Panic Disorder is
always untriggered.
D. Panic Disorder involves persistent concern about future attacks or maladaptive changes
in behavior for at least one month.
Answer: D
,Rationale: Panic Disorder is diagnosed when a patient experiences recurrent, unexpected
panic attacks followed by at least one month of persistent concern about additional attacks
or their consequences. A single panic attack is a symptom that can occur within various
psychiatric disorders or on its own. The clinical diagnosis of the disorder specifically
requires the chronicity and behavioral impact following the attacks.
4. A 35-year-old woman experiences debilitating fear when asked to give presentations at
work or speak in large meetings, fearing she will be judged as ‘stupid’ or ‘incompetent.’ What
is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Generalized Anxiety Disorder
B. Panic Disorder
C. Social Anxiety Disorder
D. Agoraphobia
Answer: C
Rationale: Social Anxiety Disorder is characterized by 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. In this case, the specific fear of judgment during work presentations
is a hallmark of this condition.
, 5. To meet the DSM-5-TR criteria for Agoraphobia, a patient must experience marked fear or
anxiety about how many of the five defined situations?
A. Only one situation
B. All five situations
C. Three or more situations
D. Two or more situations
Answer: D
Rationale: The diagnosis of Agoraphobia requires the patient to experience marked fear or
anxiety about two or more situations, such as using public transportation, being in open
spaces, being in enclosed places, standing in line, or being outside of the home alone. The
individual fears these situations because of thoughts that escape might be difficult or help
might not be available. This requirement helps distinguish agoraphobia from specific
phobias.
6. A 24-year-old female reports a persistent, irrational fear of spiders that has lasted for over
a year. She avoids her basement entirely to prevent seeing one. What is the minimum
duration required for the diagnosis of a Specific Phobia in adults?
A. 1 month
B. 6 months
C. 3 months
D. 12 months
Differential Diagnosis in Psychiatric-
Mental Health across the Lifespan
Practicum | Q&A with Rationale (NR547
Week 3 Exam) | Chamberlain University
1. A 28-year-old male presents with excessive worry about his job performance, his health,
and his finances for the past 7 months. According to the DSM-5-TR, what is the required
duration of symptoms for a diagnosis of Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)?
A. At least 3 months
B. At least 12 months
C. At least 1 month
D. At least 6 months
Answer: D
Rationale: The DSM-5-TR specifies that Generalized Anxiety Disorder requires excessive
anxiety and worry occurring more days than not for at least 6 months. This worry must
involve several events or activities, such as work or school performance. The individual
must also find it difficult to control the worry.
2. When evaluating a 10-year-old child for Generalized Anxiety Disorder, how many physical
symptoms are required to meet Criterion C?
A. Three or more symptoms
,B. At least one symptom
C. Five or more symptoms
D. Two symptoms
Answer: B
Rationale: For children to meet the diagnostic criteria for Generalized Anxiety Disorder,
only one physical symptom from the DSM-5 list is required. This differs from adults, who
must exhibit at least three physical symptoms such as restlessness, fatigue, or muscle
tension. This modification acknowledges that children may not express multiple somatic
manifestations of anxiety in the same way adults do.
3. A patient describes sudden episodes of intense fear accompanied by palpitations,
sweating, and a fear of losing control. These episodes peak within minutes. What is the
primary difference between a Panic Attack and Panic Disorder?
A. Panic Disorder requires at least four physical symptoms, while a panic attack only
requires two.
B. There is no clinical difference; the terms are used interchangeably in the DSM-5-TR.
C. Panic attacks only occur in the presence of a known trigger, whereas Panic Disorder is
always untriggered.
D. Panic Disorder involves persistent concern about future attacks or maladaptive changes
in behavior for at least one month.
Answer: D
,Rationale: Panic Disorder is diagnosed when a patient experiences recurrent, unexpected
panic attacks followed by at least one month of persistent concern about additional attacks
or their consequences. A single panic attack is a symptom that can occur within various
psychiatric disorders or on its own. The clinical diagnosis of the disorder specifically
requires the chronicity and behavioral impact following the attacks.
4. A 35-year-old woman experiences debilitating fear when asked to give presentations at
work or speak in large meetings, fearing she will be judged as ‘stupid’ or ‘incompetent.’ What
is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Generalized Anxiety Disorder
B. Panic Disorder
C. Social Anxiety Disorder
D. Agoraphobia
Answer: C
Rationale: Social Anxiety Disorder is characterized by 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. In this case, the specific fear of judgment during work presentations
is a hallmark of this condition.
, 5. To meet the DSM-5-TR criteria for Agoraphobia, a patient must experience marked fear or
anxiety about how many of the five defined situations?
A. Only one situation
B. All five situations
C. Three or more situations
D. Two or more situations
Answer: D
Rationale: The diagnosis of Agoraphobia requires the patient to experience marked fear or
anxiety about two or more situations, such as using public transportation, being in open
spaces, being in enclosed places, standing in line, or being outside of the home alone. The
individual fears these situations because of thoughts that escape might be difficult or help
might not be available. This requirement helps distinguish agoraphobia from specific
phobias.
6. A 24-year-old female reports a persistent, irrational fear of spiders that has lasted for over
a year. She avoids her basement entirely to prevent seeing one. What is the minimum
duration required for the diagnosis of a Specific Phobia in adults?
A. 1 month
B. 6 months
C. 3 months
D. 12 months
