PRITE 2017 1 PSYCHIATRY RESIDENT
EXAMINATION TEST 2026 FULL ANSWERS
GRADED A+
◉ Q: CNS responses to fear-provoking stimuli are mediated through
which structure? Answer: A: Central nucleus of the amygdala
◉ Q: 28 yo F w/ recent onset of 1-2min episodes of putting clean
silverware back in dishwasher while making chewing movements and
unable to interrupt. Pt cannot recall them. Most likely diagnosis:
Answer: A: Complex partial seizures
◉ Q: Best reponse by psychiatrist when pt states: "you will be just like
the others, no doctor ever listens to me"? Answer: A: "I am sorry you felt
unheard in the past. Can you describe that experience?"
◉ Q: What is the mechanism affected by maternal licking and grooming
behavior on the stress reactivity of the offspring? Answer: A: DNA
methylation affecting glucocorticoid receptor expression
◉ Q: 23 yo pt w/ BPD and 20+ past suicide attempts presents for DBT
and therapist asks pt for commitment to refrain from self-harm for 1 yr.
Pt says "sure, that won't be a problem at all". Best response consistent w/
,DBT principles? Answer: A: Draw pt's attention to the fact that this
commitment would be extremely difficult to abide by.
◉ Q: 47 yo with seizure disorder well controlled on antiepileptic
monotherapy but develops nausea, ataxia and diplopia when treated w/
erythromycin for sinus infection. Most likely antiepileptic? Answer: A:
Carbamazepine
◉ Q: Retired woman in outpt psychotherapy to cope w/ recent
transitions: regret of not pursuing a graduate degree, worries about her
grown children and unsure about the next steps in her life. Stage of
psychosocial developement? Answer: A: Ego integrity vs despair
◉ Q: In social psychology the contradiction between attitudes or
between attitude and behavior is a: Answer: A: Cognitive dissonance
◉ Q: Altered connectivity between medial prefrontal cortex and the
amygdala is implicated in the neurology of which disorder? Answer: A:
MDD
◉ Q: Core characteristic of "system of care" movement in community
mental health: Answer: A: Empowering families to participate in
treatment plan decisions.
,◉ Q: Pt unable to see objects on the upper L quadrant (L homonymous
superior quadrantinopia). Where is the lesion? Answer: A: R. temporal
lobe
◉ Q: Pt w/ h/o bipolar presents w/ immobility, posturing and
echopraxia. 1st line treatment? Answer: A: Lorazepam
◉ Q: Neurocognitive disorder associated w/ fluctuating rate of
progression, marked visuospatial impairment, early unilateral resting
tremor and increased muscle tone in the arm? Answer: A: Dementia with
Lewy bodies
◉ Q: Which exam finding suggests an L5 radiculopathy in a pt w/ back
pain and foot drop? Answer: A: Weakness of ankle inversion
◉ Q: Methodological advantage of genome-wide association study in
comparing pts w/ schizophrenia to demographically-matched controls?
Answer: A: It can detect common gene variants that have a small effect
on disease risk
◉ Q: Pt w/ substance use disorder and GAD talks to Dr. about anxiety
after attending their 1st AA meeting. Psychiatrist's answer most
consistent with 12-step facilitation therapy? Answer: A: "You did the
most important thing, you went to the meeting. It will get easier."
, ◉ Q: Change in polysomnogram associated with MDD? Answer: A:
Short REM latency
◉ Q: 32 yo at the ER w/ diarrhea for 2 wks. Appears anxious/tremulous
and is not oriented to date/time. She doubled the dose of her medication
for bipolar about 1 month ago. Medication? Answer: A: Lithium
◉ Q: 21 y/o pt hospitalized for excessive bleeding after induced 1st
trimester abortion. Psych consulted to evaluate for depression. Important
fact for psychiatrist to be aware of: Answer: A: The strongest predictor
of depression after elective abortion is a h/o pre-pregnancy depression
◉ Q: Excessive activation of which receptor contributes to cell death in
Alzheimer disease? Answer: A: NMDA
◉ Q: Established risk factor for develoment of bulimia nervosa?
Answer: A: Childhood sexual abuse
◉ Q: Which medication in overdose is most clearly associated w/
increased risk of seizure? (duloxetine, trazodone, fluoxetine,
mirtazapine, clomipramine) Answer: A: Clomipramine
◉ Q: A new instrument to assess for PTSD covers intrusion, avoidance,
cognitive and mood symptoms but doesn't inquire about presence of a
EXAMINATION TEST 2026 FULL ANSWERS
GRADED A+
◉ Q: CNS responses to fear-provoking stimuli are mediated through
which structure? Answer: A: Central nucleus of the amygdala
◉ Q: 28 yo F w/ recent onset of 1-2min episodes of putting clean
silverware back in dishwasher while making chewing movements and
unable to interrupt. Pt cannot recall them. Most likely diagnosis:
Answer: A: Complex partial seizures
◉ Q: Best reponse by psychiatrist when pt states: "you will be just like
the others, no doctor ever listens to me"? Answer: A: "I am sorry you felt
unheard in the past. Can you describe that experience?"
◉ Q: What is the mechanism affected by maternal licking and grooming
behavior on the stress reactivity of the offspring? Answer: A: DNA
methylation affecting glucocorticoid receptor expression
◉ Q: 23 yo pt w/ BPD and 20+ past suicide attempts presents for DBT
and therapist asks pt for commitment to refrain from self-harm for 1 yr.
Pt says "sure, that won't be a problem at all". Best response consistent w/
,DBT principles? Answer: A: Draw pt's attention to the fact that this
commitment would be extremely difficult to abide by.
◉ Q: 47 yo with seizure disorder well controlled on antiepileptic
monotherapy but develops nausea, ataxia and diplopia when treated w/
erythromycin for sinus infection. Most likely antiepileptic? Answer: A:
Carbamazepine
◉ Q: Retired woman in outpt psychotherapy to cope w/ recent
transitions: regret of not pursuing a graduate degree, worries about her
grown children and unsure about the next steps in her life. Stage of
psychosocial developement? Answer: A: Ego integrity vs despair
◉ Q: In social psychology the contradiction between attitudes or
between attitude and behavior is a: Answer: A: Cognitive dissonance
◉ Q: Altered connectivity between medial prefrontal cortex and the
amygdala is implicated in the neurology of which disorder? Answer: A:
MDD
◉ Q: Core characteristic of "system of care" movement in community
mental health: Answer: A: Empowering families to participate in
treatment plan decisions.
,◉ Q: Pt unable to see objects on the upper L quadrant (L homonymous
superior quadrantinopia). Where is the lesion? Answer: A: R. temporal
lobe
◉ Q: Pt w/ h/o bipolar presents w/ immobility, posturing and
echopraxia. 1st line treatment? Answer: A: Lorazepam
◉ Q: Neurocognitive disorder associated w/ fluctuating rate of
progression, marked visuospatial impairment, early unilateral resting
tremor and increased muscle tone in the arm? Answer: A: Dementia with
Lewy bodies
◉ Q: Which exam finding suggests an L5 radiculopathy in a pt w/ back
pain and foot drop? Answer: A: Weakness of ankle inversion
◉ Q: Methodological advantage of genome-wide association study in
comparing pts w/ schizophrenia to demographically-matched controls?
Answer: A: It can detect common gene variants that have a small effect
on disease risk
◉ Q: Pt w/ substance use disorder and GAD talks to Dr. about anxiety
after attending their 1st AA meeting. Psychiatrist's answer most
consistent with 12-step facilitation therapy? Answer: A: "You did the
most important thing, you went to the meeting. It will get easier."
, ◉ Q: Change in polysomnogram associated with MDD? Answer: A:
Short REM latency
◉ Q: 32 yo at the ER w/ diarrhea for 2 wks. Appears anxious/tremulous
and is not oriented to date/time. She doubled the dose of her medication
for bipolar about 1 month ago. Medication? Answer: A: Lithium
◉ Q: 21 y/o pt hospitalized for excessive bleeding after induced 1st
trimester abortion. Psych consulted to evaluate for depression. Important
fact for psychiatrist to be aware of: Answer: A: The strongest predictor
of depression after elective abortion is a h/o pre-pregnancy depression
◉ Q: Excessive activation of which receptor contributes to cell death in
Alzheimer disease? Answer: A: NMDA
◉ Q: Established risk factor for develoment of bulimia nervosa?
Answer: A: Childhood sexual abuse
◉ Q: Which medication in overdose is most clearly associated w/
increased risk of seizure? (duloxetine, trazodone, fluoxetine,
mirtazapine, clomipramine) Answer: A: Clomipramine
◉ Q: A new instrument to assess for PTSD covers intrusion, avoidance,
cognitive and mood symptoms but doesn't inquire about presence of a
