NR547 DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS IN
PSYCHIATRIC-MENTAL HEALTH
ACROSS THE LIFESPAN PRACTICUM
EXAM REVIEW
1. When evaluating a patient for Major Depressive Disorder, which medical condition must be
ruled out due to its ability to mimic depressive symptoms via hormonal imbalance?
A. Hyperparathyroidism
B. Hypertension
C. Diabetes Insipidus
D. Hypothyroidism
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Hypothyroidism is a classic medical mimic of depression, often
presenting with fatigue, weight gain, and low mood.
,2. A 25-year-old patient presents with a history of one week of elevated mood, decreased
need for sleep, and pressured speech. However, these symptoms only occur while using
cocaine. What is the most appropriate DSM-5-TR diagnosis?
A. Bipolar I Disorder
B. Cocaine Use Disorder
C. Brief Psychotic Disorder
D. Substance/Medication-Induced Bipolar and Related Disorder
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Since the symptoms are directly related to substance use and do
not persist beyond the intoxication period, it is classified as Substance/Medication-
Induced.
3. What is the primary difference between Social Anxiety Disorder and Avoidant Personality
Disorder?
A. Social Anxiety Disorder is only diagnosed in children.
B. There is no clinical difference; they are the same condition.
C. Avoidant Personality Disorder involves physical tremors, while Social Anxiety does not.
D. Social Anxiety Disorder involves a fear of specific social situations, while Avoidant
Personality Disorder is a pervasive pattern of interpersonal avoidance and feelings of
inadequacy.
, Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Avoidant Personality Disorder is a more global, ingrained
personality trait involving self-loathing and a pervasive pattern, whereas Social Anxiety is
often more focused on performance or scrutiny.
4. In the differential diagnosis of Schizophrenia versus Schizoaffective Disorder, what is the
key identifying feature of Schizoaffective Disorder?
A. The presence of visual hallucinations only.
B. Psychotic symptoms occurring only during a major mood episode.
C. Symptoms lasting less than six months.
D. A major mood episode (manic or depressive) must be present for the majority of the
total duration of the illness, concurrent with psychotic symptoms.
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Schizoaffective disorder requires that mood symptoms be
present for the majority of the illness duration, though psychotic symptoms must exist for
at least 2 weeks in the absence of a mood episode.
5. Which screening tool is most appropriate for assessing the severity of depressive
symptoms in an adult patient?
A. GAD-7
B. CAGE
PSYCHIATRIC-MENTAL HEALTH
ACROSS THE LIFESPAN PRACTICUM
EXAM REVIEW
1. When evaluating a patient for Major Depressive Disorder, which medical condition must be
ruled out due to its ability to mimic depressive symptoms via hormonal imbalance?
A. Hyperparathyroidism
B. Hypertension
C. Diabetes Insipidus
D. Hypothyroidism
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Hypothyroidism is a classic medical mimic of depression, often
presenting with fatigue, weight gain, and low mood.
,2. A 25-year-old patient presents with a history of one week of elevated mood, decreased
need for sleep, and pressured speech. However, these symptoms only occur while using
cocaine. What is the most appropriate DSM-5-TR diagnosis?
A. Bipolar I Disorder
B. Cocaine Use Disorder
C. Brief Psychotic Disorder
D. Substance/Medication-Induced Bipolar and Related Disorder
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Since the symptoms are directly related to substance use and do
not persist beyond the intoxication period, it is classified as Substance/Medication-
Induced.
3. What is the primary difference between Social Anxiety Disorder and Avoidant Personality
Disorder?
A. Social Anxiety Disorder is only diagnosed in children.
B. There is no clinical difference; they are the same condition.
C. Avoidant Personality Disorder involves physical tremors, while Social Anxiety does not.
D. Social Anxiety Disorder involves a fear of specific social situations, while Avoidant
Personality Disorder is a pervasive pattern of interpersonal avoidance and feelings of
inadequacy.
, Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Avoidant Personality Disorder is a more global, ingrained
personality trait involving self-loathing and a pervasive pattern, whereas Social Anxiety is
often more focused on performance or scrutiny.
4. In the differential diagnosis of Schizophrenia versus Schizoaffective Disorder, what is the
key identifying feature of Schizoaffective Disorder?
A. The presence of visual hallucinations only.
B. Psychotic symptoms occurring only during a major mood episode.
C. Symptoms lasting less than six months.
D. A major mood episode (manic or depressive) must be present for the majority of the
total duration of the illness, concurrent with psychotic symptoms.
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Schizoaffective disorder requires that mood symptoms be
present for the majority of the illness duration, though psychotic symptoms must exist for
at least 2 weeks in the absence of a mood episode.
5. Which screening tool is most appropriate for assessing the severity of depressive
symptoms in an adult patient?
A. GAD-7
B. CAGE
