PSYCHOPATHOLOGY AND
DIAGNOSTIC REASONING EXAM (NRNP
6635) QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. According to the DSM-5, which of the following is the minimum duration of symptoms
required for a diagnosis of Schizophrenia?
A. 6 months
B. 3 months
C. 1 month
D. 12 months
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: For a diagnosis of schizophrenia, continuous signs of the
disturbance must persist for at least 6 months, including at least 1 month of active-phase
symptoms.
,2. A 24-year-old male presents with grandiose ideas, decreased need for sleep (3 hours per
night), and rapid speech. These symptoms have lasted for 5 days and have significantly
impaired his social functioning but have not required hospitalization. Which diagnosis is most
likely?
A. Bipolar I Disorder, Manic Episode
B. Bipolar II Disorder, Hypomanic Episode
C. Cyclothymic Disorder
D. Brief Psychotic Disorder
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: While the duration is 5 days (less than the typical 7-day
threshold), the significant impairment in social functioning classifies this as a manic
episode rather than hypomanic, leading to a Bipolar I diagnosis.
3. Which neurotransmitter is primarily implicated in the ‘reward circuit’ and is central to the
neurobiology of addiction?
A. Serotonin
B. GABA
C. Dopamine
D. Glutamate
Answer: C
, Conceptual Explanation: Dopamine, particularly in the mesolimbic pathway (ventral
tegmental area to nucleus accumbens), is the primary neurotransmitter involved in reward
and addiction.
4. In the Mental Status Examination (MSE), ‘circumstantiality’ is an example of a disturbance
in which of the following?
A. Thought Content
B. Thought Process
C. Perception
D. Sensorium
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Circumstantiality is a thought process disturbance where the
patient provides unnecessary detail but eventually reaches the point.
5. Which of the following differentiates Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) from Persistent
Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia)?
A. MDD requires a 2-year duration of symptoms.
B. Dysthymia requires a 2-week duration of symptoms.
C. Dysthymia involves suicidal ideation more frequently than MDD.
D. MDD symptoms are usually more severe and episodic, whereas Dysthymia is chronic
and less severe.
DIAGNOSTIC REASONING EXAM (NRNP
6635) QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. According to the DSM-5, which of the following is the minimum duration of symptoms
required for a diagnosis of Schizophrenia?
A. 6 months
B. 3 months
C. 1 month
D. 12 months
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: For a diagnosis of schizophrenia, continuous signs of the
disturbance must persist for at least 6 months, including at least 1 month of active-phase
symptoms.
,2. A 24-year-old male presents with grandiose ideas, decreased need for sleep (3 hours per
night), and rapid speech. These symptoms have lasted for 5 days and have significantly
impaired his social functioning but have not required hospitalization. Which diagnosis is most
likely?
A. Bipolar I Disorder, Manic Episode
B. Bipolar II Disorder, Hypomanic Episode
C. Cyclothymic Disorder
D. Brief Psychotic Disorder
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: While the duration is 5 days (less than the typical 7-day
threshold), the significant impairment in social functioning classifies this as a manic
episode rather than hypomanic, leading to a Bipolar I diagnosis.
3. Which neurotransmitter is primarily implicated in the ‘reward circuit’ and is central to the
neurobiology of addiction?
A. Serotonin
B. GABA
C. Dopamine
D. Glutamate
Answer: C
, Conceptual Explanation: Dopamine, particularly in the mesolimbic pathway (ventral
tegmental area to nucleus accumbens), is the primary neurotransmitter involved in reward
and addiction.
4. In the Mental Status Examination (MSE), ‘circumstantiality’ is an example of a disturbance
in which of the following?
A. Thought Content
B. Thought Process
C. Perception
D. Sensorium
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Circumstantiality is a thought process disturbance where the
patient provides unnecessary detail but eventually reaches the point.
5. Which of the following differentiates Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) from Persistent
Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia)?
A. MDD requires a 2-year duration of symptoms.
B. Dysthymia requires a 2-week duration of symptoms.
C. Dysthymia involves suicidal ideation more frequently than MDD.
D. MDD symptoms are usually more severe and episodic, whereas Dysthymia is chronic
and less severe.
