STUDY GUIDE ON PSYCHIATRIC DISORDERS
1. Schizophrenia: Positive vs. Negative Symptoms
Question:
Which of the following are negative symptoms of schizophrenia? (Select all that apply):
A. Hallucinations
B. Flat affect
C. Delusions
D. Social withdrawal
E. Lack of motivation
Answer: B, D, E
Explanation: Negative symptoms include flat affect, social withdrawal, and lack of motivation.
Positive symptoms (A, C) involve hallucinations and delusions, which are additions to normal
behavior.
2. Bipolar Disorder: Manic Episodes
Question:
Which behavior is typical during a manic episode?
A. Hypersomnia
B. Slow, deliberate speech
C. Impulsivity and risky behaviors
D. Social withdrawal
Answer: C
Explanation: Manic episodes often involve impulsivity, risky decisions, and grandiosity.
Hypersomnia and withdrawal (A, D) are associated with depressive episodes, and slow speech
(B) is not characteristic of mania.
3. Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
,Question:
A nurse is assessing a client with generalized anxiety disorder. Which finding is expected?
A. Compulsions
B. Excessive worry for at least 6 months
C. Flashbacks
D. Panic attacks
Answer: B
Explanation: GAD is characterized by chronic worry lasting at least 6 months. Compulsions (A)
occur in OCD, flashbacks (C) in PTSD, and panic attacks (D) in panic disorder.
4. PTSD Symptoms
Question:
Which of the following are common symptoms of PTSD? (Select all that apply):
A. Nightmares
B. Avoidance of trauma reminders
C. Hypervigilance
D. Increased appetite
E. Intrusive thoughts
Answer: A, B, C, E
Explanation: PTSD involves nightmares, avoidance, hypervigilance, and intrusive thoughts.
Increased appetite (D) is not a symptom.
5. OCD: Obsessions vs. Compulsions
Question:
A client with OCD spends hours washing their hands. This is an example of:
A. Obsession
B. Compulsion
, C. Delusion
D. Phobia
Answer: B
Explanation: A compulsion is a repetitive behavior, like hand-washing, performed to reduce
anxiety caused by an obsession.
6. Panic Disorder
Question:
Which of the following is a hallmark symptom of a panic attack?
A. Excessive worry
B. Derealization
C. Flashbacks
D. Obsessions
Answer: B
Explanation: Derealization, the feeling of detachment from reality, is common during a panic
attack.
7. Anorexia Nervosa
Question:
Which finding is most consistent with anorexia nervosa?
A. Hypokalemia
B. Slightly elevated weight
C. Fine body hair (lanugo)
D. Binge eating
Answer: C
Explanation: Lanugo is a common physical sign in anorexia nervosa caused by malnutrition.
Hypokalemia (A) is more common in bulimia with purging.
1. Schizophrenia: Positive vs. Negative Symptoms
Question:
Which of the following are negative symptoms of schizophrenia? (Select all that apply):
A. Hallucinations
B. Flat affect
C. Delusions
D. Social withdrawal
E. Lack of motivation
Answer: B, D, E
Explanation: Negative symptoms include flat affect, social withdrawal, and lack of motivation.
Positive symptoms (A, C) involve hallucinations and delusions, which are additions to normal
behavior.
2. Bipolar Disorder: Manic Episodes
Question:
Which behavior is typical during a manic episode?
A. Hypersomnia
B. Slow, deliberate speech
C. Impulsivity and risky behaviors
D. Social withdrawal
Answer: C
Explanation: Manic episodes often involve impulsivity, risky decisions, and grandiosity.
Hypersomnia and withdrawal (A, D) are associated with depressive episodes, and slow speech
(B) is not characteristic of mania.
3. Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
,Question:
A nurse is assessing a client with generalized anxiety disorder. Which finding is expected?
A. Compulsions
B. Excessive worry for at least 6 months
C. Flashbacks
D. Panic attacks
Answer: B
Explanation: GAD is characterized by chronic worry lasting at least 6 months. Compulsions (A)
occur in OCD, flashbacks (C) in PTSD, and panic attacks (D) in panic disorder.
4. PTSD Symptoms
Question:
Which of the following are common symptoms of PTSD? (Select all that apply):
A. Nightmares
B. Avoidance of trauma reminders
C. Hypervigilance
D. Increased appetite
E. Intrusive thoughts
Answer: A, B, C, E
Explanation: PTSD involves nightmares, avoidance, hypervigilance, and intrusive thoughts.
Increased appetite (D) is not a symptom.
5. OCD: Obsessions vs. Compulsions
Question:
A client with OCD spends hours washing their hands. This is an example of:
A. Obsession
B. Compulsion
, C. Delusion
D. Phobia
Answer: B
Explanation: A compulsion is a repetitive behavior, like hand-washing, performed to reduce
anxiety caused by an obsession.
6. Panic Disorder
Question:
Which of the following is a hallmark symptom of a panic attack?
A. Excessive worry
B. Derealization
C. Flashbacks
D. Obsessions
Answer: B
Explanation: Derealization, the feeling of detachment from reality, is common during a panic
attack.
7. Anorexia Nervosa
Question:
Which finding is most consistent with anorexia nervosa?
A. Hypokalemia
B. Slightly elevated weight
C. Fine body hair (lanugo)
D. Binge eating
Answer: C
Explanation: Lanugo is a common physical sign in anorexia nervosa caused by malnutrition.
Hypokalemia (A) is more common in bulimia with purging.
