NR547 / NR 547 Midterm Exam 2025/2026
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 50 verified multiple-choice questions aligned with DSM-5-TR
and Chamberlain's curriculum. Questions cover differential diagnosis, lifespan considerations,
and clinical reasoning for anxiety, mood, psychotic, neurodevelopmental, and personality
disorders. Each question has four options, the correct answer in RED, and a detailed rationale
with DSM criteria, differential considerations, and clinical implications for A+ success.
Question 1: A 25-year-old woman presents with 3 months of persistent sadness, fatigue,
and anhedonia, impairing 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: DSM-5-TR: MDD requires ≥5 symptoms (including depressed mood or anhedonia)
for ≥2 weeks with impairment; 3 months exceeds adjustment disorder duration (<6 months). No
hypomania rules out Bipolar II (C); Persistent depressive requires >2 years (D). Clinical
implication: Screen for suicidality; start SSRI. Differential: Thyroid function, substance use.
Question 2: A 10-year-old boy exhibits inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity across
school and home, with onset at age 6. What is the diagnosis?
A. Oppositional defiant disorder
B. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
C. Autism spectrum disorder
D. Specific learning disorder
Correct Answer: B. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
Rationale: DSM-5-TR: ADHD requires ≥6 symptoms in two settings, onset <12 years,
impairing function. ODD (A) is defiance; ASD (C) social/communication deficits; learning
disorder (D) academic only. Clinical implication: Behavioral therapy + stimulant. Differential:
Trauma, thyroid.
, Question 3: A 45-year-old man reports excessive worry, restlessness, and muscle tension for
8 months, with sleep disturbance. What is the diagnosis?
A. Panic disorder
B. Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
C. Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
D. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Correct Answer: B. Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
Rationale: DSM-5-TR: GAD = excessive anxiety >6 months with ≥3 symptoms (restlessness,
fatigue, etc.). Panic (A) = attacks; OCD (C) = obsessions/compulsions; PTSD (D) = trauma-
related. Clinical implication: SSRI + CBT. Differential: Hyperthyroidism, caffeine.
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: DSM-5-TR: Panic disorder = recurrent unexpected attacks + ≥1 month
worry/behavior change. GAD (A) = chronic worry; social (C) = social fears; separation (D) =
childhood. Clinical implication: SSRI, CBT. Differential: Cardiac, substance.
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 (PTSD)
C. Acute stress disorder
D. Generalized anxiety disorder
Correct Answer: B. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Rationale: DSM-5-TR: PTSD = trauma exposure + intrusion/avoidance ≥1 month. Adjustment
(A) <6 months; acute (C) <1 month; GAD (D) no trauma. Clinical implication: Trauma-focused
CBT. Differential: TBI, depression.
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 (OCD)
C. Hoarding disorder
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 50 verified multiple-choice questions aligned with DSM-5-TR
and Chamberlain's curriculum. Questions cover differential diagnosis, lifespan considerations,
and clinical reasoning for anxiety, mood, psychotic, neurodevelopmental, and personality
disorders. Each question has four options, the correct answer in RED, and a detailed rationale
with DSM criteria, differential considerations, and clinical implications for A+ success.
Question 1: A 25-year-old woman presents with 3 months of persistent sadness, fatigue,
and anhedonia, impairing 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: DSM-5-TR: MDD requires ≥5 symptoms (including depressed mood or anhedonia)
for ≥2 weeks with impairment; 3 months exceeds adjustment disorder duration (<6 months). No
hypomania rules out Bipolar II (C); Persistent depressive requires >2 years (D). Clinical
implication: Screen for suicidality; start SSRI. Differential: Thyroid function, substance use.
Question 2: A 10-year-old boy exhibits inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity across
school and home, with onset at age 6. What is the diagnosis?
A. Oppositional defiant disorder
B. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
C. Autism spectrum disorder
D. Specific learning disorder
Correct Answer: B. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
Rationale: DSM-5-TR: ADHD requires ≥6 symptoms in two settings, onset <12 years,
impairing function. ODD (A) is defiance; ASD (C) social/communication deficits; learning
disorder (D) academic only. Clinical implication: Behavioral therapy + stimulant. Differential:
Trauma, thyroid.
, Question 3: A 45-year-old man reports excessive worry, restlessness, and muscle tension for
8 months, with sleep disturbance. What is the diagnosis?
A. Panic disorder
B. Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
C. Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
D. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Correct Answer: B. Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
Rationale: DSM-5-TR: GAD = excessive anxiety >6 months with ≥3 symptoms (restlessness,
fatigue, etc.). Panic (A) = attacks; OCD (C) = obsessions/compulsions; PTSD (D) = trauma-
related. Clinical implication: SSRI + CBT. Differential: Hyperthyroidism, caffeine.
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: DSM-5-TR: Panic disorder = recurrent unexpected attacks + ≥1 month
worry/behavior change. GAD (A) = chronic worry; social (C) = social fears; separation (D) =
childhood. Clinical implication: SSRI, CBT. Differential: Cardiac, substance.
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 (PTSD)
C. Acute stress disorder
D. Generalized anxiety disorder
Correct Answer: B. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Rationale: DSM-5-TR: PTSD = trauma exposure + intrusion/avoidance ≥1 month. Adjustment
(A) <6 months; acute (C) <1 month; GAD (D) no trauma. Clinical implication: Trauma-focused
CBT. Differential: TBI, depression.
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 (OCD)
C. Hoarding disorder
