NRNP 6635 PSYCHOPATHOLOGY AND
DIAGNOSTIC REASONING - WEEK 3
COMPREHENSIVE EXAM QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS 100% VERIFIED BY
EXPERTS. 2026/2027
1. According to the DSM-5-TR, which of the following symptom durations is required for a
diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)?
A. At least 1 week
B. At least 6 months
C. At least 1 month
D. At least 2 weeks
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: For MDD, symptoms must be present during the same 2-week
period and represent a change from previous functioning.
2. In the Mental Status Examination (MSE), how is ‘affect’ best distinguished from ‘mood’?
A. Mood is the clinician’s observation, while affect is the patient’s report.
B. Affect refers to the patient’s internal emotional state over time.
C. Affect is the outward, visible expression of the patient’s internal emotional state.
,D. Mood is always fluctuating, whereas affect is stable.
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Mood is the sustained emotion reported by the patient; affect is
the clinician’s observation of the patient’s current emotional expression.
3. A 28-year-old patient presents with a history of one manic episode and three major
depressive episodes. Which is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Bipolar I Disorder
B. Cyclothymic Disorder
C. Bipolar II Disorder
D. Major Depressive Disorder
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: The occurrence of at least one manic episode is sufficient for a
Bipolar I diagnosis, regardless of the number of depressive episodes.
4. Which screening tool is specifically designed to identify the risk of Bipolar Disorder by
screening for history of manic or hypomanic symptoms?
A. PHQ-9
B. GAD-7
C. HAM-D
D. MDQ (Mood Disorder Questionnaire)
, Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: The MDQ is a validated screening tool for Bipolar Spectrum
Disorders.
5. What is the minimum duration of symptoms required for a diagnosis of Persistent
Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia) in adults?
A. 6 months
B. 1 year
C. 5 years
D. 2 years
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Adults must experience a depressed mood for most of the day,
for more days than not, for at least 2 years.
6. A patient reports hearing voices that are not present. Under which section of the Mental
Status Exam should this be documented?
A. Perception
B. Thought Content
C. Thought Process
D. Sensorium
Answer: A
DIAGNOSTIC REASONING - WEEK 3
COMPREHENSIVE EXAM QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS 100% VERIFIED BY
EXPERTS. 2026/2027
1. According to the DSM-5-TR, which of the following symptom durations is required for a
diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)?
A. At least 1 week
B. At least 6 months
C. At least 1 month
D. At least 2 weeks
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: For MDD, symptoms must be present during the same 2-week
period and represent a change from previous functioning.
2. In the Mental Status Examination (MSE), how is ‘affect’ best distinguished from ‘mood’?
A. Mood is the clinician’s observation, while affect is the patient’s report.
B. Affect refers to the patient’s internal emotional state over time.
C. Affect is the outward, visible expression of the patient’s internal emotional state.
,D. Mood is always fluctuating, whereas affect is stable.
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Mood is the sustained emotion reported by the patient; affect is
the clinician’s observation of the patient’s current emotional expression.
3. A 28-year-old patient presents with a history of one manic episode and three major
depressive episodes. Which is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Bipolar I Disorder
B. Cyclothymic Disorder
C. Bipolar II Disorder
D. Major Depressive Disorder
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: The occurrence of at least one manic episode is sufficient for a
Bipolar I diagnosis, regardless of the number of depressive episodes.
4. Which screening tool is specifically designed to identify the risk of Bipolar Disorder by
screening for history of manic or hypomanic symptoms?
A. PHQ-9
B. GAD-7
C. HAM-D
D. MDQ (Mood Disorder Questionnaire)
, Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: The MDQ is a validated screening tool for Bipolar Spectrum
Disorders.
5. What is the minimum duration of symptoms required for a diagnosis of Persistent
Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia) in adults?
A. 6 months
B. 1 year
C. 5 years
D. 2 years
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Adults must experience a depressed mood for most of the day,
for more days than not, for at least 2 years.
6. A patient reports hearing voices that are not present. Under which section of the Mental
Status Exam should this be documented?
A. Perception
B. Thought Content
C. Thought Process
D. Sensorium
Answer: A
