NR 605 DIAGNOSIS MANAGEMENT IN
PSYCHIATRIC PRACTICE EXAM
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. A 28-year-old patient presents with symptoms of sadness, loss of interest, and insomnia for
the last three weeks. According to DSM-5-TR, what is the minimum duration of symptoms
required for a diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder?
A. 2 weeks
B. 1 week
C. 1 month
D. 6 months
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: The DSM-5-TR criteria for Major Depressive Disorder require
that symptoms be present during the same 2-week period and represent a change from
previous functioning.
,2. Which of the following mood stabilizers is most strongly associated with the rare but life-
threatening side effect of Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS)?
A. Lithium
B. Valproate
C. Carbamazepine
D. Lamotrigine
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Lamotrigine carries a black box warning for Stevens-Johnson
Syndrome and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis, requiring a slow titration to mitigate risk.
3. A patient taking Clozapine must have their Absolute Neutrophil Count (ANC) monitored
regularly. What is the primary clinical reason for this monitoring?
A. Risk of agranulocytosis
B. Risk of metabolic syndrome
C. Risk of hepatotoxicity
D. Risk of neuroleptic malignant syndrome
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Clozapine is associated with a risk of severe neutropenia
(agranulocytosis), which can be fatal; therefore, ANC monitoring is strictly mandated.
, 4. When differentiating between Bipolar I and Bipolar II Disorder, which of the following is
the defining feature of Bipolar I?
A. Presence of at least one hypomanic episode
B. Presence of at least one manic episode
C. History of MDD episodes only
D. Chronic low mood for at least two years
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Bipolar I requires at least one manic episode. Bipolar II requires
at least one hypomanic episode and at least one major depressive episode, but never a
manic episode.
5. Which antidepressant is contraindicated in patients with a history of seizure disorders or
eating disorders like Bulimia Nervosa?
A. Fluoxetine
B. Sertraline
C. Bupropion
D. Venlafaxine
Answer: C
PSYCHIATRIC PRACTICE EXAM
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. A 28-year-old patient presents with symptoms of sadness, loss of interest, and insomnia for
the last three weeks. According to DSM-5-TR, what is the minimum duration of symptoms
required for a diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder?
A. 2 weeks
B. 1 week
C. 1 month
D. 6 months
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: The DSM-5-TR criteria for Major Depressive Disorder require
that symptoms be present during the same 2-week period and represent a change from
previous functioning.
,2. Which of the following mood stabilizers is most strongly associated with the rare but life-
threatening side effect of Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS)?
A. Lithium
B. Valproate
C. Carbamazepine
D. Lamotrigine
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Lamotrigine carries a black box warning for Stevens-Johnson
Syndrome and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis, requiring a slow titration to mitigate risk.
3. A patient taking Clozapine must have their Absolute Neutrophil Count (ANC) monitored
regularly. What is the primary clinical reason for this monitoring?
A. Risk of agranulocytosis
B. Risk of metabolic syndrome
C. Risk of hepatotoxicity
D. Risk of neuroleptic malignant syndrome
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Clozapine is associated with a risk of severe neutropenia
(agranulocytosis), which can be fatal; therefore, ANC monitoring is strictly mandated.
, 4. When differentiating between Bipolar I and Bipolar II Disorder, which of the following is
the defining feature of Bipolar I?
A. Presence of at least one hypomanic episode
B. Presence of at least one manic episode
C. History of MDD episodes only
D. Chronic low mood for at least two years
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Bipolar I requires at least one manic episode. Bipolar II requires
at least one hypomanic episode and at least one major depressive episode, but never a
manic episode.
5. Which antidepressant is contraindicated in patients with a history of seizure disorders or
eating disorders like Bulimia Nervosa?
A. Fluoxetine
B. Sertraline
C. Bupropion
D. Venlafaxine
Answer: C
