PSYC 350 EXAM 2 QUESTIONS WITH
ANSWERS AND EXPLANATIONS
| American Public University
1. Select the most accurate clinical concept. Which diagnosis or concept best fits this presentation? For
years, a person alternates between periods of increased energy and periods of low mood, but the symptoms
rarely reach full episode thresholds.
A. cyclothymic disorder
B. grandiosity
C. mood stabilizer
D. bipolar I disorder
Correct Answer: A. cyclothymic disorder
Explanation: The defining pattern is most consistent with cyclothymic disorder: a chronic pattern of fluctuating
hypomanic and depressive symptoms that do not consistently meet full episode criteria. The distractors share some
surface features but do not match the central pattern.
2. Which diagnosis or concept best fits this presentation? A genetic risk marker predicts symptoms mainly
among people exposed to chronic adversity rather than across all environments.
A. classical conditioning
B. gene-environment interaction
C. learned helplessness
D. expressed emotion
Correct Answer: B. gene-environment interaction
Explanation: The defining pattern is most consistent with gene-environment interaction: a pattern in which the
effects of genetic differences depend on environmental conditions or the effects of environments depend on
genotype. The distractors share some surface features but do not match the central pattern.
3. A clinician is differentiating several related possibilities. Which interpretation most precisely classifies the
following case? A treatment plan combines classroom supports, parent behavior training, organizational
coaching, and medication after individualized assessment. Focus on the feature that most clearly
distinguishes the alternatives.
A. executive-function difficulty in ADHD - problems with planning, inhibition, working memory, and
sustained goal-directed organization often associated with ADHD
B. multimodal intervention for ADHD - use of coordinated behavioral, educational, family, and when
appropriate medication strategies to address impairment
C. stereotypic movement disorder - repetitive, seemingly driven motor behavior that interferes with activities or
causes injury and is not better explained by another condition
D. specific learning disorder - persistent difficulty learning and using academic skills despite targeted help, with
performance substantially below expectations
Correct Answer: B. multimodal intervention for ADHD - use of coordinated behavioral, educational, family,
and when appropriate medication strategies to address impairment
Explanation: The case is best classified as multimodal intervention for ADHD because its central feature is use of
coordinated behavioral, educational, family, and when appropriate medication strategies to address impairment.
The other options describe distinct clinical patterns.
,4. Which concept is best defined as psychological or behavioral factors that adversely influence the course,
treatment, or risk of a genuine medical condition?
A. psychological factors affecting medical conditions
B. iatrogenic reinforcement
C. collaborative medical-psychological care
D. illness anxiety disorder
Correct Answer: A. psychological factors affecting medical conditions
Explanation: Psychological factors affecting medical conditions refers to psychological or behavioral factors that
adversely influence the course, treatment, or risk of a genuine medical condition. The alternatives name different
constructs within the same clinical area.
5. A clinician is differentiating several related possibilities. Which interpretation most precisely classifies the
following case? A memory encoded during an intense emotional state is recalled more readily when a similar
state later occurs.
A. state-dependent memory - the tendency for information learned in a particular internal state to be more
accessible when a similar state is present again
B. dissociative fugue - apparently purposeful travel or wandering associated with dissociative amnesia for
identity or important autobiographical information
C. trauma association - the common but not universal association between severe trauma and later dissociative
symptoms
D. grounding technique - a strategy that directs attention to immediate sensory information and the present
environment to reduce dissociative detachment
Correct Answer: A. state-dependent memory - the tendency for information learned in a particular internal
state to be more accessible when a similar state is present again
Explanation: The case is best classified as state-dependent memory because its central feature is the tendency for
information learned in a particular internal state to be more accessible when a similar state is present again. The
other options describe distinct clinical patterns.
6. Select the most accurate clinical concept. Which diagnosis or concept best fits this presentation? A person
is found unresponsive with very slow breathing after suspected opioid use.
A. tolerance
B. naloxone
C. craving
D. opioid overdose
Correct Answer: D. opioid overdose
Explanation: The defining pattern is most consistent with opioid overdose: a potentially fatal state commonly
marked by severe respiratory depression and reduced consciousness following opioid exposure. The distractors
share some surface features but do not match the central pattern.
,7. Which concept is best defined as a behavioral intervention teaching caregivers consistent reinforcement,
effective commands, monitoring, and noncoercive consequences for child behavior problems? Focus on the
feature that most clearly distinguishes the alternatives.
A. conduct disorder
B. kleptomania
C. parent management training
D. reactive aggression
Correct Answer: C. parent management training
Explanation: Parent management training refers to a behavioral intervention teaching caregivers consistent
reinforcement, effective commands, monitoring, and noncoercive consequences for child behavior problems. The
alternatives name different constructs within the same clinical area.
8. Which diagnosis or concept best fits this presentation? A patient reports a sustained loss of sexual interest
across situations and substantial distress not better explained by relationship conflict or medication effects.
A. sexual interest arousal difficulty
B. gender dysphoria
C. premature ejaculation
D. erectile disorder
Correct Answer: A. sexual interest arousal difficulty
Explanation: The defining pattern is most consistent with sexual interest arousal difficulty: persistent reduction in
sexual interest or arousal that is clinically significant and distressing after context is considered. The distractors
share some surface features but do not match the central pattern.
9. A clinician is differentiating several related possibilities. Which interpretation most precisely classifies the
following case? During conversation, a patient repeatedly shifts to loosely connected ideas so that answers
become difficult to follow. Focus on the feature that most clearly distinguishes the alternatives.
A. schizophreniform disorder - a schizophrenia-like syndrome whose total duration is at least one month but
less than six months
B. disorganized speech - speech reflecting disrupted organization of thought, such as frequent derailment or
incoherence
C. antipsychotic medication - medication used primarily to reduce psychotic symptoms such as delusions and
hallucinations, with monitoring for adverse effects
D. brief psychotic disorder - an abrupt psychotic episode lasting at least one day but less than one month
followed by return toward previous functioning
Correct Answer: B. disorganized speech - speech reflecting disrupted organization of thought, such as
frequent derailment or incoherence
Explanation: The case is best classified as disorganized speech because its central feature is speech reflecting
disrupted organization of thought, such as frequent derailment or incoherence. The other options describe distinct
clinical patterns.
, 10. When reviewing the following case, which conclusion is the most defensible based on the information
provided? A student reports an occasional worry habit but continues to function well and experiences little
distress.
A. The pattern most strongly supports categorical classification.
B. The pattern most strongly supports stigma.
C. The pattern most strongly supports moral treatment.
D. The pattern most strongly supports clinical significance.
Correct Answer: D. The pattern most strongly supports clinical significance.
Explanation: Clinical significance is the best conclusion because the presentation matches the requirement that
symptoms produce meaningful distress, impairment, or other serious consequences before a disorder is inferred. A
full real-world assessment would still evaluate medical, substance-related, developmental, and cultural alternatives
where relevant.
11. When reviewing the following case, which conclusion is the most defensible based on the information
provided? A night-shift worker cannot sleep adequately during the day and becomes dangerously sleepy
during required work hours.
A. The pattern most strongly supports NREM sleep arousal disorder.
B. The pattern most strongly supports circadian rhythm sleep-wake disorder.
C. The pattern most strongly supports hypersomnolence disorder.
D. The pattern most strongly supports narcolepsy.
Correct Answer: B. The pattern most strongly supports circadian rhythm sleep-wake disorder.
Explanation: Circadian rhythm sleep-wake disorder is the best conclusion because the presentation matches a
persistent mismatch between the person's internal sleep-wake rhythm and required schedule that causes insomnia,
sleepiness, or impairment. A full real-world assessment would still evaluate medical, substance-related,
developmental, and cultural alternatives where relevant.
12. When reviewing the following case, which conclusion is the most defensible based on the information
provided? A clinician asks directly about suicidal thoughts, intent, plan, access to means, past attempts,
supports, and protective factors. Focus on the feature that most clearly distinguishes the alternatives.
A. The pattern most strongly supports comorbidity.
B. The pattern most strongly supports test-retest reliability.
C. The pattern most strongly supports behavioral assessment.
D. The pattern most strongly supports risk assessment.
Correct Answer: D. The pattern most strongly supports risk assessment.
Explanation: Risk assessment is the best conclusion because the presentation matches a structured evaluation of
factors relevant to potential self-harm, harm to others, or inability to maintain safety. A full real-world assessment
would still evaluate medical, substance-related, developmental, and cultural alternatives where relevant.
ANSWERS AND EXPLANATIONS
| American Public University
1. Select the most accurate clinical concept. Which diagnosis or concept best fits this presentation? For
years, a person alternates between periods of increased energy and periods of low mood, but the symptoms
rarely reach full episode thresholds.
A. cyclothymic disorder
B. grandiosity
C. mood stabilizer
D. bipolar I disorder
Correct Answer: A. cyclothymic disorder
Explanation: The defining pattern is most consistent with cyclothymic disorder: a chronic pattern of fluctuating
hypomanic and depressive symptoms that do not consistently meet full episode criteria. The distractors share some
surface features but do not match the central pattern.
2. Which diagnosis or concept best fits this presentation? A genetic risk marker predicts symptoms mainly
among people exposed to chronic adversity rather than across all environments.
A. classical conditioning
B. gene-environment interaction
C. learned helplessness
D. expressed emotion
Correct Answer: B. gene-environment interaction
Explanation: The defining pattern is most consistent with gene-environment interaction: a pattern in which the
effects of genetic differences depend on environmental conditions or the effects of environments depend on
genotype. The distractors share some surface features but do not match the central pattern.
3. A clinician is differentiating several related possibilities. Which interpretation most precisely classifies the
following case? A treatment plan combines classroom supports, parent behavior training, organizational
coaching, and medication after individualized assessment. Focus on the feature that most clearly
distinguishes the alternatives.
A. executive-function difficulty in ADHD - problems with planning, inhibition, working memory, and
sustained goal-directed organization often associated with ADHD
B. multimodal intervention for ADHD - use of coordinated behavioral, educational, family, and when
appropriate medication strategies to address impairment
C. stereotypic movement disorder - repetitive, seemingly driven motor behavior that interferes with activities or
causes injury and is not better explained by another condition
D. specific learning disorder - persistent difficulty learning and using academic skills despite targeted help, with
performance substantially below expectations
Correct Answer: B. multimodal intervention for ADHD - use of coordinated behavioral, educational, family,
and when appropriate medication strategies to address impairment
Explanation: The case is best classified as multimodal intervention for ADHD because its central feature is use of
coordinated behavioral, educational, family, and when appropriate medication strategies to address impairment.
The other options describe distinct clinical patterns.
,4. Which concept is best defined as psychological or behavioral factors that adversely influence the course,
treatment, or risk of a genuine medical condition?
A. psychological factors affecting medical conditions
B. iatrogenic reinforcement
C. collaborative medical-psychological care
D. illness anxiety disorder
Correct Answer: A. psychological factors affecting medical conditions
Explanation: Psychological factors affecting medical conditions refers to psychological or behavioral factors that
adversely influence the course, treatment, or risk of a genuine medical condition. The alternatives name different
constructs within the same clinical area.
5. A clinician is differentiating several related possibilities. Which interpretation most precisely classifies the
following case? A memory encoded during an intense emotional state is recalled more readily when a similar
state later occurs.
A. state-dependent memory - the tendency for information learned in a particular internal state to be more
accessible when a similar state is present again
B. dissociative fugue - apparently purposeful travel or wandering associated with dissociative amnesia for
identity or important autobiographical information
C. trauma association - the common but not universal association between severe trauma and later dissociative
symptoms
D. grounding technique - a strategy that directs attention to immediate sensory information and the present
environment to reduce dissociative detachment
Correct Answer: A. state-dependent memory - the tendency for information learned in a particular internal
state to be more accessible when a similar state is present again
Explanation: The case is best classified as state-dependent memory because its central feature is the tendency for
information learned in a particular internal state to be more accessible when a similar state is present again. The
other options describe distinct clinical patterns.
6. Select the most accurate clinical concept. Which diagnosis or concept best fits this presentation? A person
is found unresponsive with very slow breathing after suspected opioid use.
A. tolerance
B. naloxone
C. craving
D. opioid overdose
Correct Answer: D. opioid overdose
Explanation: The defining pattern is most consistent with opioid overdose: a potentially fatal state commonly
marked by severe respiratory depression and reduced consciousness following opioid exposure. The distractors
share some surface features but do not match the central pattern.
,7. Which concept is best defined as a behavioral intervention teaching caregivers consistent reinforcement,
effective commands, monitoring, and noncoercive consequences for child behavior problems? Focus on the
feature that most clearly distinguishes the alternatives.
A. conduct disorder
B. kleptomania
C. parent management training
D. reactive aggression
Correct Answer: C. parent management training
Explanation: Parent management training refers to a behavioral intervention teaching caregivers consistent
reinforcement, effective commands, monitoring, and noncoercive consequences for child behavior problems. The
alternatives name different constructs within the same clinical area.
8. Which diagnosis or concept best fits this presentation? A patient reports a sustained loss of sexual interest
across situations and substantial distress not better explained by relationship conflict or medication effects.
A. sexual interest arousal difficulty
B. gender dysphoria
C. premature ejaculation
D. erectile disorder
Correct Answer: A. sexual interest arousal difficulty
Explanation: The defining pattern is most consistent with sexual interest arousal difficulty: persistent reduction in
sexual interest or arousal that is clinically significant and distressing after context is considered. The distractors
share some surface features but do not match the central pattern.
9. A clinician is differentiating several related possibilities. Which interpretation most precisely classifies the
following case? During conversation, a patient repeatedly shifts to loosely connected ideas so that answers
become difficult to follow. Focus on the feature that most clearly distinguishes the alternatives.
A. schizophreniform disorder - a schizophrenia-like syndrome whose total duration is at least one month but
less than six months
B. disorganized speech - speech reflecting disrupted organization of thought, such as frequent derailment or
incoherence
C. antipsychotic medication - medication used primarily to reduce psychotic symptoms such as delusions and
hallucinations, with monitoring for adverse effects
D. brief psychotic disorder - an abrupt psychotic episode lasting at least one day but less than one month
followed by return toward previous functioning
Correct Answer: B. disorganized speech - speech reflecting disrupted organization of thought, such as
frequent derailment or incoherence
Explanation: The case is best classified as disorganized speech because its central feature is speech reflecting
disrupted organization of thought, such as frequent derailment or incoherence. The other options describe distinct
clinical patterns.
, 10. When reviewing the following case, which conclusion is the most defensible based on the information
provided? A student reports an occasional worry habit but continues to function well and experiences little
distress.
A. The pattern most strongly supports categorical classification.
B. The pattern most strongly supports stigma.
C. The pattern most strongly supports moral treatment.
D. The pattern most strongly supports clinical significance.
Correct Answer: D. The pattern most strongly supports clinical significance.
Explanation: Clinical significance is the best conclusion because the presentation matches the requirement that
symptoms produce meaningful distress, impairment, or other serious consequences before a disorder is inferred. A
full real-world assessment would still evaluate medical, substance-related, developmental, and cultural alternatives
where relevant.
11. When reviewing the following case, which conclusion is the most defensible based on the information
provided? A night-shift worker cannot sleep adequately during the day and becomes dangerously sleepy
during required work hours.
A. The pattern most strongly supports NREM sleep arousal disorder.
B. The pattern most strongly supports circadian rhythm sleep-wake disorder.
C. The pattern most strongly supports hypersomnolence disorder.
D. The pattern most strongly supports narcolepsy.
Correct Answer: B. The pattern most strongly supports circadian rhythm sleep-wake disorder.
Explanation: Circadian rhythm sleep-wake disorder is the best conclusion because the presentation matches a
persistent mismatch between the person's internal sleep-wake rhythm and required schedule that causes insomnia,
sleepiness, or impairment. A full real-world assessment would still evaluate medical, substance-related,
developmental, and cultural alternatives where relevant.
12. When reviewing the following case, which conclusion is the most defensible based on the information
provided? A clinician asks directly about suicidal thoughts, intent, plan, access to means, past attempts,
supports, and protective factors. Focus on the feature that most clearly distinguishes the alternatives.
A. The pattern most strongly supports comorbidity.
B. The pattern most strongly supports test-retest reliability.
C. The pattern most strongly supports behavioral assessment.
D. The pattern most strongly supports risk assessment.
Correct Answer: D. The pattern most strongly supports risk assessment.
Explanation: Risk assessment is the best conclusion because the presentation matches a structured evaluation of
factors relevant to potential self-harm, harm to others, or inability to maintain safety. A full real-world assessment
would still evaluate medical, substance-related, developmental, and cultural alternatives where relevant.
