NR547 / NR 547 Midterm Exam 2025 Differential
Diagnosis in Psychiatric-Mental Health Across
the Lifespan | Chamberlain College of Nursing |
100% Correct & Graded A
This midterm exam for NR547 Differential Diagnosis in Psychiatric-Mental Health Across the
Lifespan (2025 edition) features 100 multiple-choice questions aligned with Chamberlain's
curriculum, focusing on differential diagnosis, DSM-5-TR criteria, lifespan considerations, and
clinical reasoning. Questions are scenario-based, with four options, the correct answer in RED,
and a detailed rationale emphasizing key diagnostic features, differential considerations, and
treatment implications for A-grade success.
Question 1: A 25-year-old woman presents with 3 months of persistent sadness, fatigue,
and anhedonia, impairing her work and relationships. She denies manic symptoms. What
is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Adjustment disorder with depressed mood
B. Major depressive disorder
C. Bipolar II disorder
D. Persistent depressive disorder
Correct Answer: B. Major depressive disorder
Rationale: MDD requires ≥5 symptoms for ≥2 weeks, including depressed mood or anhedonia,
with functional impairment; 3 months exceeds adjustment disorder duration (A); no hypomania
for C; chronic >2 years for D. Differential: Screen for medical (thyroid) and substance causes.
Question 2: A 10-year-old boy exhibits inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity across
school and home, onset at age 6. What is the diagnosis?
A. Oppositional defiant disorder
B. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder
C. Autism spectrum disorder
D. Specific learning disorder
Correct Answer: B. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder
Rationale: ADHD diagnosis requires symptoms in two settings, onset before 12, impairing
function; ODD (A) defiance; ASD (C) social deficits; learning disorder (D) academic only.
Differential: Rule out trauma or thyroid issues.
, Question 3: A 45-year-old man reports excessive worry, restlessness, and muscle tension for
8 months, with sleep disturbance. What diagnosis fits?
A. Panic disorder
B. Generalized anxiety disorder
C. Obsessive-compulsive disorder
D. Post-traumatic stress disorder
Correct Answer: B. Generalized anxiety disorder
Rationale: GAD involves excessive worry >6 months with ≥3 symptoms (restlessness, fatigue,
etc.); panic (A) attacks; OCD (C) obsessions/compulsions; PTSD (D) trauma-related.
Differential: Screen for medical (hyperthyroidism).
Question 4: A 16-year-old girl has recurrent panic attacks with palpitations and fear of
dying, lasting 10 minutes each. What is the diagnosis?
A. Generalized anxiety disorder
B. Panic disorder
C. Social anxiety disorder
D. Separation anxiety disorder
Correct Answer: B. Panic disorder
Rationale: Panic disorder features recurrent unexpected panic attacks with ≥1 month worry or
behavioral change; GAD (A) chronic worry; social (C) social fears; separation (D) childhood.
Differential: Rule out substance use.
Question 5: A 30-year-old veteran has flashbacks, avoidance, and hypervigilance 6 months
after combat exposure. What is the diagnosis?
A. Adjustment disorder
B. Post-traumatic stress disorder
C. Acute stress disorder
D. Generalized anxiety disorder
Correct Answer: B. Post-traumatic stress disorder
Rationale: PTSD requires trauma exposure, intrusion/avoidance symptoms ≥1 month;
adjustment (A) <6 months; acute (C) <1 month; GAD (D) no trauma. Differential: Assess for
TBI.
Question 6: A 50-year-old man has recurrent obsessions with contamination and
compulsions to wash hands 2 hours daily. What is the diagnosis?
A. Generalized anxiety disorder
B. Obsessive-compulsive disorder
C. Hoarding disorder
D. Body dysmorphic disorder
Correct Answer: B. Obsessive-compulsive disorder
Diagnosis in Psychiatric-Mental Health Across
the Lifespan | Chamberlain College of Nursing |
100% Correct & Graded A
This midterm exam for NR547 Differential Diagnosis in Psychiatric-Mental Health Across the
Lifespan (2025 edition) features 100 multiple-choice questions aligned with Chamberlain's
curriculum, focusing on differential diagnosis, DSM-5-TR criteria, lifespan considerations, and
clinical reasoning. Questions are scenario-based, with four options, the correct answer in RED,
and a detailed rationale emphasizing key diagnostic features, differential considerations, and
treatment implications for A-grade success.
Question 1: A 25-year-old woman presents with 3 months of persistent sadness, fatigue,
and anhedonia, impairing her work and relationships. She denies manic symptoms. What
is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Adjustment disorder with depressed mood
B. Major depressive disorder
C. Bipolar II disorder
D. Persistent depressive disorder
Correct Answer: B. Major depressive disorder
Rationale: MDD requires ≥5 symptoms for ≥2 weeks, including depressed mood or anhedonia,
with functional impairment; 3 months exceeds adjustment disorder duration (A); no hypomania
for C; chronic >2 years for D. Differential: Screen for medical (thyroid) and substance causes.
Question 2: A 10-year-old boy exhibits inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity across
school and home, onset at age 6. What is the diagnosis?
A. Oppositional defiant disorder
B. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder
C. Autism spectrum disorder
D. Specific learning disorder
Correct Answer: B. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder
Rationale: ADHD diagnosis requires symptoms in two settings, onset before 12, impairing
function; ODD (A) defiance; ASD (C) social deficits; learning disorder (D) academic only.
Differential: Rule out trauma or thyroid issues.
, Question 3: A 45-year-old man reports excessive worry, restlessness, and muscle tension for
8 months, with sleep disturbance. What diagnosis fits?
A. Panic disorder
B. Generalized anxiety disorder
C. Obsessive-compulsive disorder
D. Post-traumatic stress disorder
Correct Answer: B. Generalized anxiety disorder
Rationale: GAD involves excessive worry >6 months with ≥3 symptoms (restlessness, fatigue,
etc.); panic (A) attacks; OCD (C) obsessions/compulsions; PTSD (D) trauma-related.
Differential: Screen for medical (hyperthyroidism).
Question 4: A 16-year-old girl has recurrent panic attacks with palpitations and fear of
dying, lasting 10 minutes each. What is the diagnosis?
A. Generalized anxiety disorder
B. Panic disorder
C. Social anxiety disorder
D. Separation anxiety disorder
Correct Answer: B. Panic disorder
Rationale: Panic disorder features recurrent unexpected panic attacks with ≥1 month worry or
behavioral change; GAD (A) chronic worry; social (C) social fears; separation (D) childhood.
Differential: Rule out substance use.
Question 5: A 30-year-old veteran has flashbacks, avoidance, and hypervigilance 6 months
after combat exposure. What is the diagnosis?
A. Adjustment disorder
B. Post-traumatic stress disorder
C. Acute stress disorder
D. Generalized anxiety disorder
Correct Answer: B. Post-traumatic stress disorder
Rationale: PTSD requires trauma exposure, intrusion/avoidance symptoms ≥1 month;
adjustment (A) <6 months; acute (C) <1 month; GAD (D) no trauma. Differential: Assess for
TBI.
Question 6: A 50-year-old man has recurrent obsessions with contamination and
compulsions to wash hands 2 hours daily. What is the diagnosis?
A. Generalized anxiety disorder
B. Obsessive-compulsive disorder
C. Hoarding disorder
D. Body dysmorphic disorder
Correct Answer: B. Obsessive-compulsive disorder
