NR547 DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS IN
PSYCHIATRIC MENTAL HEALTH
WEEK 4 EXAM V1 QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
1. When differentiating between Bipolar I Disorder and Bipolar II Disorder, which clinical
feature is diagnostic of Bipolar I?
A. The presence of at least one hypomanic episode
B. The presence of at least one major depressive episode
C. Symptoms that do not cause significant functional impairment
D. The presence of at least one manic episode lasting at least one week
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Bipolar I Disorder requires at least one manic episode (lasting at
least 1 week or requiring hospitalization). Bipolar II requires at least one hypomanic
episode and one major depressive episode, but never a full manic episode.
2. A 24-year-old patient presents with auditory hallucinations and delusions for the past 7
months. She also experienced a major depressive episode lasting 2 weeks during this time.
What is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Schizoaffective Disorder
,B. Major Depressive Disorder with Psychotic Features
C. Schizophrenia
D. Brief Psychotic Disorder
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: In Schizophrenia, mood symptoms must be present for a
minority of the total duration of the illness. In Schizoaffective Disorder, mood symptoms
must be present for the majority of the illness, and there must be at least 2 weeks of
psychosis in the absence of a mood episode.
3. Which screening tool is most appropriate for assessing the severity of depressive
symptoms and monitoring treatment response in an adult patient?
A. MDQ
B. GAD-7
C. PHQ-9
D. CAGE-AID
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: The PHQ-9 (Patient Health Questionnaire-9) is specifically
designed to screen for, diagnose, and monitor the severity of depression.
, 4. A 9-year-old child presents with sudden-onset obsessive-compulsive symptoms and motor
tics following a streptococcal infection. This clinical picture is most consistent with:
A. PANDAS
B. Tourette’s Disorder
C. Early-onset Schizophrenia
D. Autism Spectrum Disorder
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: PANDAS (Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders
Associated with Streptococcal Infections) involves sudden onset of OCD or tics following a
group A strep infection.
5. In the differential diagnosis of anxiety, which medical condition must be ruled out as it
frequently mimics a panic attack?
A. Hyperthyroidism
B. Hypothyroidism
C. Diabetes Type 2
D. Iron deficiency anemia
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Hyperthyroidism can cause tachycardia, palpitations, anxiety,
and diaphoresis, which closely mimic the symptoms of a panic attack.
PSYCHIATRIC MENTAL HEALTH
WEEK 4 EXAM V1 QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
1. When differentiating between Bipolar I Disorder and Bipolar II Disorder, which clinical
feature is diagnostic of Bipolar I?
A. The presence of at least one hypomanic episode
B. The presence of at least one major depressive episode
C. Symptoms that do not cause significant functional impairment
D. The presence of at least one manic episode lasting at least one week
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Bipolar I Disorder requires at least one manic episode (lasting at
least 1 week or requiring hospitalization). Bipolar II requires at least one hypomanic
episode and one major depressive episode, but never a full manic episode.
2. A 24-year-old patient presents with auditory hallucinations and delusions for the past 7
months. She also experienced a major depressive episode lasting 2 weeks during this time.
What is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Schizoaffective Disorder
,B. Major Depressive Disorder with Psychotic Features
C. Schizophrenia
D. Brief Psychotic Disorder
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: In Schizophrenia, mood symptoms must be present for a
minority of the total duration of the illness. In Schizoaffective Disorder, mood symptoms
must be present for the majority of the illness, and there must be at least 2 weeks of
psychosis in the absence of a mood episode.
3. Which screening tool is most appropriate for assessing the severity of depressive
symptoms and monitoring treatment response in an adult patient?
A. MDQ
B. GAD-7
C. PHQ-9
D. CAGE-AID
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: The PHQ-9 (Patient Health Questionnaire-9) is specifically
designed to screen for, diagnose, and monitor the severity of depression.
, 4. A 9-year-old child presents with sudden-onset obsessive-compulsive symptoms and motor
tics following a streptococcal infection. This clinical picture is most consistent with:
A. PANDAS
B. Tourette’s Disorder
C. Early-onset Schizophrenia
D. Autism Spectrum Disorder
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: PANDAS (Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders
Associated with Streptococcal Infections) involves sudden onset of OCD or tics following a
group A strep infection.
5. In the differential diagnosis of anxiety, which medical condition must be ruled out as it
frequently mimics a panic attack?
A. Hyperthyroidism
B. Hypothyroidism
C. Diabetes Type 2
D. Iron deficiency anemia
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Hyperthyroidism can cause tachycardia, palpitations, anxiety,
and diaphoresis, which closely mimic the symptoms of a panic attack.
