NRNP 6635 Psychopathology &
Diagnostic Reasoning Midterm Exam:
Key Concepts & Sample Compete 200
Questions and Answers |With Rationales
|(GRADED A+)
Question 1: Major Depressive Disorder Diagnostic Criteria
Which diagnostic criterion is essential for Major Depressive Disorder
(MDD) according to DSM-5-TR?
A. Psychotic symptoms
B. Depressed mood or anhedonia for at least 2 weeks
C. Manic episodes
D. Substance-induced symptoms
ANSWER: B. Depressed mood or anhedonia for at least 2 weeks
Rationale: DSM-5-TR requires at least five symptoms present during the
same 2-week period, with at least one being either depressed mood or
anhedonia. Psychotic symptoms are not required and indicate a more
severe presentation. Manic episodes suggest bipolar disorder. Substance-
induced symptoms would classify the condition as substance/medication-
induced depressive disorder .
Question 2: Neurotransmitters in Psychiatric Disorders
,Which neurotransmitter is most commonly associated with Obsessive-
Compulsive Disorder (OCD)?
A. Norepinephrine
B. GABA
C. Dopamine
D. Serotonin
ANSWER: D. Serotonin
Rationale: OCD is primarily linked to dysregulation in the serotonin system
within the cortico-striatal-thalamic-cortical (CSTC) circuitry. Serotonin
reuptake inhibitors (SRIs) are first-line pharmacological treatment,
supporting serotonin's role. Dopamine plays a secondary role, while
norepinephrine and GABA are less directly associated with OCD
pathophysiology .
Question 3: Assessment Tools in Psychiatric Practice
Select the patient evaluation scale to be used before and during
prescribing antipsychotic drugs.
A. MMSE
B. AIMS
C. PHQ-9
D. GAD-7
ANSWER: B. AIMS (Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale)
Rationale: AIMS is used to assess for tardive dyskinesia and other
extrapyramidal symptoms in patients taking antipsychotics. It is critical for
baseline and ongoing monitoring due to the risk of movement disorders.
MMSE assesses cognitive function, PHQ-9 screens for depression, and
GAD-7 evaluates anxiety .
,Question 4: Developmental Theories
Select the theorist who developed the eight stages of psychosocial
development.
A. Sigmund Freud
B. Jean Piaget
C. Erik Erikson
D. Abraham Maslow
ANSWER: C. Erik Erikson
Rationale: Erikson developed psychosocial development theory with eight
stages across the lifespan, each characterized by a specific conflict (e.g.,
trust vs. mistrust, identity vs. role confusion). Freud focused on
psychosexual stages, Piaget on cognitive development, and Maslow on the
hierarchy of needs .
Question 5: Dissociative Disorders
Select two causes of dissociative amnesia. (Choose two.)
A. Sexual abuse
B. Substance use
C. Neurodegenerative disease
D. Partner betrayal
ANSWER: A. Sexual abuse, D. Partner betrayal
Rationale: Dissociative amnesia is often triggered by severe psychological
trauma, such as sexual abuse or significant interpersonal betrayals. These
events overwhelm coping mechanisms, leading to memory dissociation.
, Substance use may cause organic amnesia but is not typically linked to
dissociative amnesia. Neurodegenerative diseases are associated with
cognitive decline rather than dissociative disorders .
Question 6: Monitoring in Psychosomatic Patients
Select the serum assessment required when prescribing drugs to treat
psychiatric disorders in psychosomatic patients.
A. Potassium
B. Thyroid function
C. Blood glucose
D. Lipid panel
ANSWER: B. Thyroid function
Rationale: Thyroid function tests are critical as thyroid dysfunction can
mimic or exacerbate psychiatric symptoms. Medications like lithium or
antipsychotics can also affect thyroid function, necessitating baseline and
ongoing monitoring .
Question 7: Positive Symptoms of Schizophrenia
Which of the following is a positive symptom of schizophrenia?
A. Alogia
B. Pressured speech
C. Echolalia
D. Mutism
ANSWER: B. Pressured speech
Diagnostic Reasoning Midterm Exam:
Key Concepts & Sample Compete 200
Questions and Answers |With Rationales
|(GRADED A+)
Question 1: Major Depressive Disorder Diagnostic Criteria
Which diagnostic criterion is essential for Major Depressive Disorder
(MDD) according to DSM-5-TR?
A. Psychotic symptoms
B. Depressed mood or anhedonia for at least 2 weeks
C. Manic episodes
D. Substance-induced symptoms
ANSWER: B. Depressed mood or anhedonia for at least 2 weeks
Rationale: DSM-5-TR requires at least five symptoms present during the
same 2-week period, with at least one being either depressed mood or
anhedonia. Psychotic symptoms are not required and indicate a more
severe presentation. Manic episodes suggest bipolar disorder. Substance-
induced symptoms would classify the condition as substance/medication-
induced depressive disorder .
Question 2: Neurotransmitters in Psychiatric Disorders
,Which neurotransmitter is most commonly associated with Obsessive-
Compulsive Disorder (OCD)?
A. Norepinephrine
B. GABA
C. Dopamine
D. Serotonin
ANSWER: D. Serotonin
Rationale: OCD is primarily linked to dysregulation in the serotonin system
within the cortico-striatal-thalamic-cortical (CSTC) circuitry. Serotonin
reuptake inhibitors (SRIs) are first-line pharmacological treatment,
supporting serotonin's role. Dopamine plays a secondary role, while
norepinephrine and GABA are less directly associated with OCD
pathophysiology .
Question 3: Assessment Tools in Psychiatric Practice
Select the patient evaluation scale to be used before and during
prescribing antipsychotic drugs.
A. MMSE
B. AIMS
C. PHQ-9
D. GAD-7
ANSWER: B. AIMS (Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale)
Rationale: AIMS is used to assess for tardive dyskinesia and other
extrapyramidal symptoms in patients taking antipsychotics. It is critical for
baseline and ongoing monitoring due to the risk of movement disorders.
MMSE assesses cognitive function, PHQ-9 screens for depression, and
GAD-7 evaluates anxiety .
,Question 4: Developmental Theories
Select the theorist who developed the eight stages of psychosocial
development.
A. Sigmund Freud
B. Jean Piaget
C. Erik Erikson
D. Abraham Maslow
ANSWER: C. Erik Erikson
Rationale: Erikson developed psychosocial development theory with eight
stages across the lifespan, each characterized by a specific conflict (e.g.,
trust vs. mistrust, identity vs. role confusion). Freud focused on
psychosexual stages, Piaget on cognitive development, and Maslow on the
hierarchy of needs .
Question 5: Dissociative Disorders
Select two causes of dissociative amnesia. (Choose two.)
A. Sexual abuse
B. Substance use
C. Neurodegenerative disease
D. Partner betrayal
ANSWER: A. Sexual abuse, D. Partner betrayal
Rationale: Dissociative amnesia is often triggered by severe psychological
trauma, such as sexual abuse or significant interpersonal betrayals. These
events overwhelm coping mechanisms, leading to memory dissociation.
, Substance use may cause organic amnesia but is not typically linked to
dissociative amnesia. Neurodegenerative diseases are associated with
cognitive decline rather than dissociative disorders .
Question 6: Monitoring in Psychosomatic Patients
Select the serum assessment required when prescribing drugs to treat
psychiatric disorders in psychosomatic patients.
A. Potassium
B. Thyroid function
C. Blood glucose
D. Lipid panel
ANSWER: B. Thyroid function
Rationale: Thyroid function tests are critical as thyroid dysfunction can
mimic or exacerbate psychiatric symptoms. Medications like lithium or
antipsychotics can also affect thyroid function, necessitating baseline and
ongoing monitoring .
Question 7: Positive Symptoms of Schizophrenia
Which of the following is a positive symptom of schizophrenia?
A. Alogia
B. Pressured speech
C. Echolalia
D. Mutism
ANSWER: B. Pressured speech
