Kaplan and Sadock’s Synopsis of Psychiatry, 12th EditioN
STUDY QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS
22025/2026 Q&A |INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
1. Which of the following neurotransmitters is most closely associated with
schizophrenia?
A. Dopamine
B. Serotonin
C. GABA
D. Norepinephrine
Answer: A. Dopamine
Rationale: Schizophrenia is primarily linked to dysregulation of dopaminergic
pathways, particularly the mesolimbic pathway, which contributes to positive
symptoms.
2. A patient presents with sudden, severe anxiety and palpitations, peaking
within 10 minutes. Which is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Generalized Anxiety Disorder
B. Panic Disorder
C. Social Anxiety Disorder
D. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Answer: B. Panic Disorder
Rationale: Panic disorder is characterized by recurrent, unexpected panic attacks
with rapid onset and intense somatic symptoms.
3. Which medication is first-line treatment for major depressive disorder?
,A. Fluoxetine
B. Haloperidol
C. Lithium
D. Clozapine
Answer: A. Fluoxetine
Rationale: SSRIs like fluoxetine are first-line pharmacologic treatments due to
efficacy, safety profile, and tolerability.
4. What is the hallmark symptom of bipolar I disorder?
A. Major depressive episode
B. Hypomanic episode
C. Manic episode
D. Cyclothymic mood swings
Answer: C. Manic episode
Rationale: Bipolar I disorder is defined by the presence of at least one manic
episode, which may be preceded or followed by depressive episodes.
5. Which of the following is a positive symptom of schizophrenia?
A. Flat affect
B. Hallucinations
C. Social withdrawal
D. Alogia
Answer: B. Hallucinations
Rationale: Positive symptoms represent an excess or distortion of normal function,
such as hallucinations and delusions.
6. The most effective psychotherapy for borderline personality disorder is:
,A. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
B. Dialectical Behavior Therapy
C. Psychodynamic Therapy
D. Supportive Therapy
Answer: B. Dialectical Behavior Therapy
Rationale: DBT is specifically designed to reduce self-harm, emotional
dysregulation, and interpersonal difficulties in BPD.
7. Which of the following is a common side effect of antipsychotics?
A. Agranulocytosis
B. Extrapyramidal symptoms
C. Bradycardia
D. Hypoglycemia
Answer: B. Extrapyramidal symptoms
Rationale: Typical antipsychotics often cause EPS, including dystonia,
parkinsonism, and akathisia.
8. A patient persistently avoids social interactions due to fear of criticism. Most
likely diagnosis?
A. Social Anxiety Disorder
B. Schizoid Personality Disorder
C. Avoidant Personality Disorder
D. Dependent Personality Disorder
Answer: C. Avoidant Personality Disorder
Rationale: Avoidant PD is characterized by extreme shyness, fear of criticism, and
avoidance of social situations despite desire for relationships.
9. Which class of drugs is used in the acute management of mania?
, A. SSRIs
B. Mood stabilizers
C. Benzodiazepines
D. Beta-blockers
Answer: B. Mood stabilizers
Rationale: Lithium and valproate are first-line for acute mania due to their proven
efficacy in stabilizing mood.
10. What is the most common form of hallucination in schizophrenia?
A. Visual
B. Auditory
C. Olfactory
D. Tactile
Answer: B. Auditory
Rationale: Auditory hallucinations, often in the form of voices, are the most
frequently reported hallucinations in schizophrenia.
11. Which of the following is the first-line treatment for generalized anxiety
disorder?
A. Buspirone
B. Lorazepam
C. Fluoxetine
D. Chlorpromazine
Answer: C. Fluoxetine
Rationale: SSRIs and SNRIs are first-line treatments due to long-term efficacy and
safety compared to benzodiazepines.
12. What is the core feature of PTSD?
STUDY QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS
22025/2026 Q&A |INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
1. Which of the following neurotransmitters is most closely associated with
schizophrenia?
A. Dopamine
B. Serotonin
C. GABA
D. Norepinephrine
Answer: A. Dopamine
Rationale: Schizophrenia is primarily linked to dysregulation of dopaminergic
pathways, particularly the mesolimbic pathway, which contributes to positive
symptoms.
2. A patient presents with sudden, severe anxiety and palpitations, peaking
within 10 minutes. Which is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Generalized Anxiety Disorder
B. Panic Disorder
C. Social Anxiety Disorder
D. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Answer: B. Panic Disorder
Rationale: Panic disorder is characterized by recurrent, unexpected panic attacks
with rapid onset and intense somatic symptoms.
3. Which medication is first-line treatment for major depressive disorder?
,A. Fluoxetine
B. Haloperidol
C. Lithium
D. Clozapine
Answer: A. Fluoxetine
Rationale: SSRIs like fluoxetine are first-line pharmacologic treatments due to
efficacy, safety profile, and tolerability.
4. What is the hallmark symptom of bipolar I disorder?
A. Major depressive episode
B. Hypomanic episode
C. Manic episode
D. Cyclothymic mood swings
Answer: C. Manic episode
Rationale: Bipolar I disorder is defined by the presence of at least one manic
episode, which may be preceded or followed by depressive episodes.
5. Which of the following is a positive symptom of schizophrenia?
A. Flat affect
B. Hallucinations
C. Social withdrawal
D. Alogia
Answer: B. Hallucinations
Rationale: Positive symptoms represent an excess or distortion of normal function,
such as hallucinations and delusions.
6. The most effective psychotherapy for borderline personality disorder is:
,A. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
B. Dialectical Behavior Therapy
C. Psychodynamic Therapy
D. Supportive Therapy
Answer: B. Dialectical Behavior Therapy
Rationale: DBT is specifically designed to reduce self-harm, emotional
dysregulation, and interpersonal difficulties in BPD.
7. Which of the following is a common side effect of antipsychotics?
A. Agranulocytosis
B. Extrapyramidal symptoms
C. Bradycardia
D. Hypoglycemia
Answer: B. Extrapyramidal symptoms
Rationale: Typical antipsychotics often cause EPS, including dystonia,
parkinsonism, and akathisia.
8. A patient persistently avoids social interactions due to fear of criticism. Most
likely diagnosis?
A. Social Anxiety Disorder
B. Schizoid Personality Disorder
C. Avoidant Personality Disorder
D. Dependent Personality Disorder
Answer: C. Avoidant Personality Disorder
Rationale: Avoidant PD is characterized by extreme shyness, fear of criticism, and
avoidance of social situations despite desire for relationships.
9. Which class of drugs is used in the acute management of mania?
, A. SSRIs
B. Mood stabilizers
C. Benzodiazepines
D. Beta-blockers
Answer: B. Mood stabilizers
Rationale: Lithium and valproate are first-line for acute mania due to their proven
efficacy in stabilizing mood.
10. What is the most common form of hallucination in schizophrenia?
A. Visual
B. Auditory
C. Olfactory
D. Tactile
Answer: B. Auditory
Rationale: Auditory hallucinations, often in the form of voices, are the most
frequently reported hallucinations in schizophrenia.
11. Which of the following is the first-line treatment for generalized anxiety
disorder?
A. Buspirone
B. Lorazepam
C. Fluoxetine
D. Chlorpromazine
Answer: C. Fluoxetine
Rationale: SSRIs and SNRIs are first-line treatments due to long-term efficacy and
safety compared to benzodiazepines.
12. What is the core feature of PTSD?
