1. A 55-year-old woman presents with a history of frequent mood
swings, irritability, and difficulty maintaining relationships. She reports
periods of intense, impulsive behavior, followed by feelings of
emptiness. Which diagnosis is most consistent with this presentation?
A. Borderline personality disorder
B. Bipolar disorder
C. Cyclothymic disorder
D. Major depressive disorder
Answer: a) Borderline personality disorder
Rationale: Borderline personality disorder is characterized by
instability in mood, interpersonal relationships, self-image, and
behavior. Impulsivity, emotional dysregulation, and chronic feelings of
emptiness are core features.
2. A 28-year-old woman presents with a history of recurrent mood
swings, irritability, and depressive episodes, along with periods of
elevated mood and energy. Which diagnosis is most consistent with her
symptoms?
A. Major depressive disorder
B. Bipolar II disorder
C. Cyclothymic disorder
D. Borderline personality disorder
,Answer: b) Bipolar II disorder
Rationale: Bipolar II disorder is characterized by episodes of depression
and hypomania (elevated mood), but the manic episodes are not as
severe as in bipolar I disorder. The presence of both depressive and
hypomanic episodes is diagnostic.
3. Which of the following is considered a common side effect of
selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)?
A. Weight loss
B. Sedation
C. Sexual dysfunction
D. Tardive dyskinesia
Answer: c) Sexual dysfunction
Rationale: Sexual dysfunction, including reduced libido, anorgasmia,
and erectile dysfunction, is a common side effect of SSRIs. These
medications work by increasing serotonin levels, which can affect
sexual desire and performance.
4. A 25-year-old female presents with episodes of rapid speech,
decreased need for sleep, and engaging in risky behaviors. Which of the
following medications is most commonly used to treat manic episodes
in bipolar disorder?
A. Lithium
B. Fluoxetine
, C. Risperidone
D. Sertraline
Answer: a) Lithium
Rationale: Lithium is considered the gold standard for the treatment of
manic episodes in bipolar disorder. It is effective in reducing the
severity and frequency of manic episodes.
5. A 60-year-old male with depression is being treated with a selective
serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). He presents with a high fever,
altered mental status, and muscle rigidity. Which of the following is the
most likely diagnosis?
A. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome
B. Serotonin syndrome
C. Delirium
D. Panic disorder
Answer: b) Serotonin syndrome
Rationale: Serotonin syndrome can occur with the use of SSRIs,
especially when combined with other serotonergic medications. It is
characterized by hyperthermia, altered mental status, autonomic
dysregulation, and neuromuscular hyperactivity.
6. A 40-year-old female presents with chronic, diffuse pain, fatigue, and
difficulty sleeping. She reports a history of stress-related events. Which
of the following is the most likely diagnosis?
swings, irritability, and difficulty maintaining relationships. She reports
periods of intense, impulsive behavior, followed by feelings of
emptiness. Which diagnosis is most consistent with this presentation?
A. Borderline personality disorder
B. Bipolar disorder
C. Cyclothymic disorder
D. Major depressive disorder
Answer: a) Borderline personality disorder
Rationale: Borderline personality disorder is characterized by
instability in mood, interpersonal relationships, self-image, and
behavior. Impulsivity, emotional dysregulation, and chronic feelings of
emptiness are core features.
2. A 28-year-old woman presents with a history of recurrent mood
swings, irritability, and depressive episodes, along with periods of
elevated mood and energy. Which diagnosis is most consistent with her
symptoms?
A. Major depressive disorder
B. Bipolar II disorder
C. Cyclothymic disorder
D. Borderline personality disorder
,Answer: b) Bipolar II disorder
Rationale: Bipolar II disorder is characterized by episodes of depression
and hypomania (elevated mood), but the manic episodes are not as
severe as in bipolar I disorder. The presence of both depressive and
hypomanic episodes is diagnostic.
3. Which of the following is considered a common side effect of
selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)?
A. Weight loss
B. Sedation
C. Sexual dysfunction
D. Tardive dyskinesia
Answer: c) Sexual dysfunction
Rationale: Sexual dysfunction, including reduced libido, anorgasmia,
and erectile dysfunction, is a common side effect of SSRIs. These
medications work by increasing serotonin levels, which can affect
sexual desire and performance.
4. A 25-year-old female presents with episodes of rapid speech,
decreased need for sleep, and engaging in risky behaviors. Which of the
following medications is most commonly used to treat manic episodes
in bipolar disorder?
A. Lithium
B. Fluoxetine
, C. Risperidone
D. Sertraline
Answer: a) Lithium
Rationale: Lithium is considered the gold standard for the treatment of
manic episodes in bipolar disorder. It is effective in reducing the
severity and frequency of manic episodes.
5. A 60-year-old male with depression is being treated with a selective
serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). He presents with a high fever,
altered mental status, and muscle rigidity. Which of the following is the
most likely diagnosis?
A. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome
B. Serotonin syndrome
C. Delirium
D. Panic disorder
Answer: b) Serotonin syndrome
Rationale: Serotonin syndrome can occur with the use of SSRIs,
especially when combined with other serotonergic medications. It is
characterized by hyperthermia, altered mental status, autonomic
dysregulation, and neuromuscular hyperactivity.
6. A 40-year-old female presents with chronic, diffuse pain, fatigue, and
difficulty sleeping. She reports a history of stress-related events. Which
of the following is the most likely diagnosis?