NR547 Week 4 Exam V1 | NR547
Differential Diagnosis in Psychiatric-
Mental Health across the Lifespan
Practicum | Q&A with Rationale (NR547
Week 4 Exam) | Chamberlain University
1. According to the DSM-5-TR, what is the minimum duration of symptoms required to
diagnose a patient with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)?
A. 6 months
B. 3 months
C. 1 month
D. 12 months
Answer: A
Rationale: To meet the diagnostic criteria for Generalized Anxiety Disorder, the patient
must experience excessive anxiety and worry occurring more days than not for at least 6
months. This worry must involve a number of events or activities such as work or school
performance. The clinician must also ensure the disturbance is not better explained by
another mental or medical condition.
2. Which physical symptom is specifically listed as a criterion for the diagnosis of Generalized
Anxiety Disorder in adults?
A. Weight loss
,B. Night sweats
C. Muscle tension
D. Hypersomnia
Answer: C
Rationale: Muscle tension is one of the six key physical symptoms associated with GAD in
the DSM-5-TR. Other symptoms include restlessness, being easily fatigued, difficulty
concentrating, irritability, and sleep disturbance. Adults must present with at least three of
these symptoms to qualify for the diagnosis.
3. A 24-year-old patient presents with recurrent, unexpected panic attacks. Which of the
following is required for a diagnosis of Panic Disorder?
A. At least one attack has been followed by 1 month of persistent concern about additional
attacks.
B. The patient must also meet the criteria for Agoraphobia.
C. The attacks must occur daily for at least two weeks.
D. The patient must experience at least ten different physical symptoms during the attack.
Answer: A
Rationale: Panic Disorder requires both recurrent unexpected panic attacks and at least
one month of persistent concern or a significant maladaptive change in behavior related to
the attacks. This differentiates Panic Disorder from isolated panic attacks that may occur in
, other anxiety disorders. It is also important to rule out the physiological effects of a
substance or a general medical condition.
4. Which condition must be ruled out first when a patient presents with symptoms of a panic
attack, such as palpitations and tremors?
A. Hyperthyroidism
B. Major Depressive Disorder
C. Social Anxiety Disorder
D. Specific Phobia
Answer: A
Rationale: Hyperthyroidism can mimic many symptoms of anxiety, including tachycardia,
tremors, and sweating. It is standard clinical practice to perform a physical exam and lab
tests like TSH to rule out medical etiologies. This ensures that the psychiatric diagnosis is
not secondary to a primary endocrine disorder.
5. In children, how many symptoms are required to meet the criteria for Generalized Anxiety
Disorder?
A. Three symptoms
B. Five symptoms
C. One symptom
D. Six symptoms
Differential Diagnosis in Psychiatric-
Mental Health across the Lifespan
Practicum | Q&A with Rationale (NR547
Week 4 Exam) | Chamberlain University
1. According to the DSM-5-TR, what is the minimum duration of symptoms required to
diagnose a patient with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)?
A. 6 months
B. 3 months
C. 1 month
D. 12 months
Answer: A
Rationale: To meet the diagnostic criteria for Generalized Anxiety Disorder, the patient
must experience excessive anxiety and worry occurring more days than not for at least 6
months. This worry must involve a number of events or activities such as work or school
performance. The clinician must also ensure the disturbance is not better explained by
another mental or medical condition.
2. Which physical symptom is specifically listed as a criterion for the diagnosis of Generalized
Anxiety Disorder in adults?
A. Weight loss
,B. Night sweats
C. Muscle tension
D. Hypersomnia
Answer: C
Rationale: Muscle tension is one of the six key physical symptoms associated with GAD in
the DSM-5-TR. Other symptoms include restlessness, being easily fatigued, difficulty
concentrating, irritability, and sleep disturbance. Adults must present with at least three of
these symptoms to qualify for the diagnosis.
3. A 24-year-old patient presents with recurrent, unexpected panic attacks. Which of the
following is required for a diagnosis of Panic Disorder?
A. At least one attack has been followed by 1 month of persistent concern about additional
attacks.
B. The patient must also meet the criteria for Agoraphobia.
C. The attacks must occur daily for at least two weeks.
D. The patient must experience at least ten different physical symptoms during the attack.
Answer: A
Rationale: Panic Disorder requires both recurrent unexpected panic attacks and at least
one month of persistent concern or a significant maladaptive change in behavior related to
the attacks. This differentiates Panic Disorder from isolated panic attacks that may occur in
, other anxiety disorders. It is also important to rule out the physiological effects of a
substance or a general medical condition.
4. Which condition must be ruled out first when a patient presents with symptoms of a panic
attack, such as palpitations and tremors?
A. Hyperthyroidism
B. Major Depressive Disorder
C. Social Anxiety Disorder
D. Specific Phobia
Answer: A
Rationale: Hyperthyroidism can mimic many symptoms of anxiety, including tachycardia,
tremors, and sweating. It is standard clinical practice to perform a physical exam and lab
tests like TSH to rule out medical etiologies. This ensures that the psychiatric diagnosis is
not secondary to a primary endocrine disorder.
5. In children, how many symptoms are required to meet the criteria for Generalized Anxiety
Disorder?
A. Three symptoms
B. Five symptoms
C. One symptom
D. Six symptoms
