NRNP 6635 PSYCHOPATHOLOGY AND
DIAGNOSTIC REASONING MIDTERM
EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. A 28-year-old patient presents with a history of at least one manic episode that lasted for
more than a week and resulted in hospitalization. The patient also reports periods of major
depression. Which is the most accurate diagnosis?
A. Bipolar II Disorder
B. Bipolar I Disorder
C. Cyclothymic Disorder
D. Major Depressive Disorder with Psychotic Features
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Bipolar I Disorder requires the occurrence of at least one manic
episode. Bipolar II requires a hypomanic episode and a major depressive episode, but
never a full manic episode.
,2. During a Mental Status Examination (MSE), a patient demonstrates the ability to shift from
one topic to another where the ideas are loosely connected but the patient eventually
returns to the original point. This is described as:
A. Flight of ideas
B. Tangentiality
C. Circumstantiality
D. Loose associations
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Circumstantiality involves providing unnecessary detail and
wandering from the point, but eventually returning to the original topic. Tangentiality
never returns to the original point.
3. According to the DSM-5-TR, what is the minimum duration of symptoms required for a
diagnosis of Schizophreniform Disorder?
A. Less than 1 month
B. At least 1 month but less than 6 months
C. More than 6 months
D. At least 2 weeks
Answer: B
, Conceptual Explanation: Schizophreniform disorder is characterized by symptoms
identical to Schizophrenia but lasting at least 1 month and less than 6 months.
4. A patient exhibits a pervasive pattern of detachment from social relationships and a
restricted range of expression of emotions in interpersonal settings. They neither desire nor
enjoy close relationships. This describes:
A. Avoidant Personality Disorder
B. Antisocial Personality Disorder
C. Schizotypal Personality Disorder
D. Schizoid Personality Disorder
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Schizoid Personality Disorder is defined by social detachment
and restricted affect, whereas Avoidant PD involves social inhibition due to fear of
criticism.
5. To diagnose a patient with Major Depressive Disorder, at least one of which two core
symptoms must be present?
A. Fatigue or insomnia
B. Psychomotor agitation or weight loss
C. Worthlessness or suicidal ideation
D. Depressed mood or loss of interest/pleasure
DIAGNOSTIC REASONING MIDTERM
EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. A 28-year-old patient presents with a history of at least one manic episode that lasted for
more than a week and resulted in hospitalization. The patient also reports periods of major
depression. Which is the most accurate diagnosis?
A. Bipolar II Disorder
B. Bipolar I Disorder
C. Cyclothymic Disorder
D. Major Depressive Disorder with Psychotic Features
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Bipolar I Disorder requires the occurrence of at least one manic
episode. Bipolar II requires a hypomanic episode and a major depressive episode, but
never a full manic episode.
,2. During a Mental Status Examination (MSE), a patient demonstrates the ability to shift from
one topic to another where the ideas are loosely connected but the patient eventually
returns to the original point. This is described as:
A. Flight of ideas
B. Tangentiality
C. Circumstantiality
D. Loose associations
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Circumstantiality involves providing unnecessary detail and
wandering from the point, but eventually returning to the original topic. Tangentiality
never returns to the original point.
3. According to the DSM-5-TR, what is the minimum duration of symptoms required for a
diagnosis of Schizophreniform Disorder?
A. Less than 1 month
B. At least 1 month but less than 6 months
C. More than 6 months
D. At least 2 weeks
Answer: B
, Conceptual Explanation: Schizophreniform disorder is characterized by symptoms
identical to Schizophrenia but lasting at least 1 month and less than 6 months.
4. A patient exhibits a pervasive pattern of detachment from social relationships and a
restricted range of expression of emotions in interpersonal settings. They neither desire nor
enjoy close relationships. This describes:
A. Avoidant Personality Disorder
B. Antisocial Personality Disorder
C. Schizotypal Personality Disorder
D. Schizoid Personality Disorder
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Schizoid Personality Disorder is defined by social detachment
and restricted affect, whereas Avoidant PD involves social inhibition due to fear of
criticism.
5. To diagnose a patient with Major Depressive Disorder, at least one of which two core
symptoms must be present?
A. Fatigue or insomnia
B. Psychomotor agitation or weight loss
C. Worthlessness or suicidal ideation
D. Depressed mood or loss of interest/pleasure
