NR 606 MIDTERM EXAM – DIAGNOSIS
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. A 32-year-old female presents with persistent worry about her finances, children, and
health for the past 7 months. She reports muscle tension, irritability, and difficulty
concentrating. Which diagnosis best fits this clinical picture?
A. Panic Disorder
B. Social Anxiety Disorder
C. Adjustment Disorder with Anxiety
D. Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) requires excessive anxiety
and worry occurring more days than not for at least 6 months, about a number of events or
activities, accompanied by at least three somatic symptoms like muscle tension or
irritability.
,2. Which of the following is a mandatory criterion for a diagnosis of Major Depressive
Disorder according to the DSM-5?
A. Significant weight loss or gain
B. Psychomotor agitation or retardation
C. Feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt
D. Depressed mood or loss of interest/pleasure
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: To meet the criteria for MDD, at least one of the five required
symptoms must be either depressed mood or loss of interest or pleasure (anhedonia).
3. A patient reports experiencing a distinct period of abnormally elevated mood and
increased energy lasting 4 consecutive days. The symptoms are not severe enough to cause
marked impairment in social or occupational functioning. This is characteristic of:
A. A Manic Episode
B. A Hypomanic Episode
C. A Mixed Episode
D. Cyclothymic Disorder
Answer: B
, Conceptual Explanation: A hypomanic episode lasts at least 4 consecutive days, is a
change in functioning, but is not severe enough to cause marked impairment or necessitate
hospitalization, unlike a manic episode which lasts at least 1 week.
4. What is the primary difference between Schizophrenia and Schizophreniform Disorder?
A. The severity of negative symptoms
B. The presence of mood symptoms
C. The age of onset
D. The duration of symptoms
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Schizophreniform disorder has the same symptom criteria as
schizophrenia but lasts at least 1 month and less than 6 months. Schizophrenia requires
symptoms for at least 6 months.
5. A 24-year-old patient describes recurrent, intrusive thoughts about contamination and
spends 3 hours a day washing their hands. These thoughts are experienced as unpleasant and
contrary to their character. This is known as:
A. Ego-syntonic
B. Delusional thinking
C. Ego-dystonic
D. Overvalued ideas
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. A 32-year-old female presents with persistent worry about her finances, children, and
health for the past 7 months. She reports muscle tension, irritability, and difficulty
concentrating. Which diagnosis best fits this clinical picture?
A. Panic Disorder
B. Social Anxiety Disorder
C. Adjustment Disorder with Anxiety
D. Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) requires excessive anxiety
and worry occurring more days than not for at least 6 months, about a number of events or
activities, accompanied by at least three somatic symptoms like muscle tension or
irritability.
,2. Which of the following is a mandatory criterion for a diagnosis of Major Depressive
Disorder according to the DSM-5?
A. Significant weight loss or gain
B. Psychomotor agitation or retardation
C. Feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt
D. Depressed mood or loss of interest/pleasure
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: To meet the criteria for MDD, at least one of the five required
symptoms must be either depressed mood or loss of interest or pleasure (anhedonia).
3. A patient reports experiencing a distinct period of abnormally elevated mood and
increased energy lasting 4 consecutive days. The symptoms are not severe enough to cause
marked impairment in social or occupational functioning. This is characteristic of:
A. A Manic Episode
B. A Hypomanic Episode
C. A Mixed Episode
D. Cyclothymic Disorder
Answer: B
, Conceptual Explanation: A hypomanic episode lasts at least 4 consecutive days, is a
change in functioning, but is not severe enough to cause marked impairment or necessitate
hospitalization, unlike a manic episode which lasts at least 1 week.
4. What is the primary difference between Schizophrenia and Schizophreniform Disorder?
A. The severity of negative symptoms
B. The presence of mood symptoms
C. The age of onset
D. The duration of symptoms
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Schizophreniform disorder has the same symptom criteria as
schizophrenia but lasts at least 1 month and less than 6 months. Schizophrenia requires
symptoms for at least 6 months.
5. A 24-year-old patient describes recurrent, intrusive thoughts about contamination and
spends 3 hours a day washing their hands. These thoughts are experienced as unpleasant and
contrary to their character. This is known as:
A. Ego-syntonic
B. Delusional thinking
C. Ego-dystonic
D. Overvalued ideas
