NRNP 6635-PSYCHOPATHOLOGY COMPREHENSIVE
MOST TESTED QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED
SOLUTIONS | UPDATED 2025/2026
1
A 28-year-old reports 2 months of depressed mood, insomnia, low energy,
hopelessness, and weight loss. She denies suicidal intent. Which diagnosis is most
likely?
A. Major depressive disorder, single episode
B. Persistent depressive disorder (dysthymia)
C. Adjustment disorder with depressed mood
D. Bipolar II disorder
Answer: A. Major depressive disorder, single episode.
Rationale: Symptoms ≥2 weeks and meet core depressive symptoms. Persistent
depressive disorder requires ≥2 years. Adjustment disorder requires identifiable
stressor + shorter timeframe and less severe symptoms. Bipolar II requires
hypomanic history.
2
Which of the following best describes a hypomanic episode?
A. Elevated mood with severe functional impairment and psychotic features for 7+
days
B. Elevated mood with no functional impairment lasting at least 4 consecutive days
C. Depressed mood with psychomotor retardation lasting 2 weeks
D. Irritable mood with loss of consciousness
,Answer: B. Elevated mood with no functional impairment lasting at least 4
consecutive days.
Rationale: Hypomania = ≥4 days, change in functioning but not markedly
impairing or psychotic. A describes mania.
3
Which symptom is not required for a diagnosis of schizophrenia (per DSM-5 core
positive symptoms)?
A. Delusions
B. Hallucinations
C. Disorganized speech
D. Negative symptoms (e.g., blunted affect)
Answer: D. Negative symptoms.
Rationale: DSM-5 key positive symptoms are delusions, hallucinations,
disorganized speech/behavior. Negative symptoms may be present but are not
required.
4
A patient with panic disorder is most likely to present with:
A. Gradual persistent worry for >6 months
B. Recurrent unexpected panic attacks and worry about further attacks
C. Persistent intrusive memories of a trauma
D. Persistent preoccupation with physical symptoms
,Answer: B. Recurrent unexpected panic attacks and worry about further
attacks.
Rationale: Panic disorder defined by unexpected panic attacks plus persistent
worry/behavioral change.
5
Which medication is first-line for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)?
A. Haloperidol
B. Sertraline (SSRI)
C. Imipramine (TCA)
D. Lithium
Answer: B. Sertraline (SSRI).
Rationale: SSRIs and SNRIs and psychotherapy (CBT) are first-line for GAD.
Benzodiazepines are short-term adjuncts.
6
Which describes delirium rather than dementia?
A. Gradual memory loss progressive over years
B. Acute onset, fluctuating attention, and altered consciousness
C. Stable cognitive impairment without fluctuation
D. Persistent personality changes over decades
Answer: B. Acute onset, fluctuating attention, and altered consciousness.
Rationale: Delirium is acute, fluctuating, with disturbed attention and
consciousness.
, 7
A person with anorexia nervosa is at highest immediate risk for:
A. Hyperthyroidism
B. Bradycardia and electrolyte disturbances
C. Psychosis
D. Elevated BMI
Answer: B. Bradycardia and electrolyte disturbances.
Rationale: Starvation causes bradycardia, hypotension, electrolyte imbalance—
medical emergencies.
8
Which of the following is most characteristic of borderline personality disorder
(BPD)?
A. Grandiosity and need for admiration
B. Social anxiety and avoidance of relationships
C. Unstable interpersonal relationships, fear of abandonment, self-harm
D. Lack of interest in social relationships and restricted affect
Answer: C. Unstable interpersonal relationships, fear of abandonment, self-
harm.
Rationale: BPD hallmark: instability in relationships, self-image, affect,
impulsivity, suicidality.
MOST TESTED QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED
SOLUTIONS | UPDATED 2025/2026
1
A 28-year-old reports 2 months of depressed mood, insomnia, low energy,
hopelessness, and weight loss. She denies suicidal intent. Which diagnosis is most
likely?
A. Major depressive disorder, single episode
B. Persistent depressive disorder (dysthymia)
C. Adjustment disorder with depressed mood
D. Bipolar II disorder
Answer: A. Major depressive disorder, single episode.
Rationale: Symptoms ≥2 weeks and meet core depressive symptoms. Persistent
depressive disorder requires ≥2 years. Adjustment disorder requires identifiable
stressor + shorter timeframe and less severe symptoms. Bipolar II requires
hypomanic history.
2
Which of the following best describes a hypomanic episode?
A. Elevated mood with severe functional impairment and psychotic features for 7+
days
B. Elevated mood with no functional impairment lasting at least 4 consecutive days
C. Depressed mood with psychomotor retardation lasting 2 weeks
D. Irritable mood with loss of consciousness
,Answer: B. Elevated mood with no functional impairment lasting at least 4
consecutive days.
Rationale: Hypomania = ≥4 days, change in functioning but not markedly
impairing or psychotic. A describes mania.
3
Which symptom is not required for a diagnosis of schizophrenia (per DSM-5 core
positive symptoms)?
A. Delusions
B. Hallucinations
C. Disorganized speech
D. Negative symptoms (e.g., blunted affect)
Answer: D. Negative symptoms.
Rationale: DSM-5 key positive symptoms are delusions, hallucinations,
disorganized speech/behavior. Negative symptoms may be present but are not
required.
4
A patient with panic disorder is most likely to present with:
A. Gradual persistent worry for >6 months
B. Recurrent unexpected panic attacks and worry about further attacks
C. Persistent intrusive memories of a trauma
D. Persistent preoccupation with physical symptoms
,Answer: B. Recurrent unexpected panic attacks and worry about further
attacks.
Rationale: Panic disorder defined by unexpected panic attacks plus persistent
worry/behavioral change.
5
Which medication is first-line for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)?
A. Haloperidol
B. Sertraline (SSRI)
C. Imipramine (TCA)
D. Lithium
Answer: B. Sertraline (SSRI).
Rationale: SSRIs and SNRIs and psychotherapy (CBT) are first-line for GAD.
Benzodiazepines are short-term adjuncts.
6
Which describes delirium rather than dementia?
A. Gradual memory loss progressive over years
B. Acute onset, fluctuating attention, and altered consciousness
C. Stable cognitive impairment without fluctuation
D. Persistent personality changes over decades
Answer: B. Acute onset, fluctuating attention, and altered consciousness.
Rationale: Delirium is acute, fluctuating, with disturbed attention and
consciousness.
, 7
A person with anorexia nervosa is at highest immediate risk for:
A. Hyperthyroidism
B. Bradycardia and electrolyte disturbances
C. Psychosis
D. Elevated BMI
Answer: B. Bradycardia and electrolyte disturbances.
Rationale: Starvation causes bradycardia, hypotension, electrolyte imbalance—
medical emergencies.
8
Which of the following is most characteristic of borderline personality disorder
(BPD)?
A. Grandiosity and need for admiration
B. Social anxiety and avoidance of relationships
C. Unstable interpersonal relationships, fear of abandonment, self-harm
D. Lack of interest in social relationships and restricted affect
Answer: C. Unstable interpersonal relationships, fear of abandonment, self-
harm.
Rationale: BPD hallmark: instability in relationships, self-image, affect,
impulsivity, suicidality.
