Midterm Exam: NR 605/ NR605 (New 2025/ 2026 Update)
Diagnosis & Management in Psychiatric Mental Health Across
the Lifespan I Review| Questions & Answers Plus Rationales|
Grade A| 100% Correct (Verified Solutions)- Chamberlain
1.
A 45-year-old woman presents with persistent sadness, guilt, and fatigue for the past 6
months. She reports hypersomnia and overeating. No history of mania or substance use.
What is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Cyclothymic disorder
B. Persistent depressive disorder
C. Major depressive disorder
D. Adjustment disorder
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Symptoms lasting >2 weeks with marked impairment in functioning meet criteria for
major depressive disorder (MDD); there is no evidence of a manic or hypomanic episode.
2.
A 23-year-old college student reports panic attacks that occur unexpectedly and worries
constantly about having another attack. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Generalized anxiety disorder
B. Panic disorder
C. Social anxiety disorder
D. PTSD
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Recurrent, unexpected panic attacks with ongoing concern about recurrence defines
panic disorder.
3.
A 34-year-old female presents with alternating periods of elevated energy and irritability
for 5 days followed by depressive symptoms lasting weeks. What is the most appropriate
diagnosis?
A. Cyclothymic disorder
B. Bipolar I disorder
C. Bipolar II disorder
D. Major depressive disorder
,Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Hypomania lasting ≥4 days plus depression episodes meets criteria for Bipolar II.
4.
A 9-year-old boy displays aggression, defiance, and arguing with authority figures for 8
months. What is the best diagnosis?
A. Conduct disorder
B. Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder
C. ADHD
D. Oppositional defiant disorder
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Persistent defiant behavior without serious rule violation or aggression indicates
oppositional defiant disorder (ODD).
5.
A 72-year-old man complains of memory loss and confusion. MRI shows cortical atrophy,
and cognitive testing reveals impaired short-term memory. What is the next best step in
management?
A. Prescribe SSRIs
B. Start donepezil
C. CT scan for vascular lesions
D. Rule out reversible causes (B12, TSH, electrolytes)
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Always rule out reversible causes of cognitive impairment before diagnosing
dementia.
6.
A new mother presents with depressed mood, tearfulness, and poor sleep starting 2 weeks
postpartum. What is the appropriate diagnosis?
A. Postpartum blues
B. Major depressive disorder with peripartum onset
C. Adjustment disorder
D. Postpartum psychosis
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Onset after 2 weeks postpartum and meeting full criteria for MDD indicates
peripartum depression.
, 7.
Which of the following antipsychotics has the highest risk of metabolic side effects (weight
gain, dyslipidemia)?
A. Aripiprazole
B. Risperidone
C. Ziprasidone
D. Olanzapine
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Olanzapine is strongly associated with metabolic syndrome.
8.
In treating anxiety disorders in elderly patients, which benzodiazepine is preferred due to
lack of active metabolites?
A. Diazepam
B. Lorazepam
C. Chlordiazepoxide
D. Clonazepam
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Lorazepam (Ativan) is safer in elderly due to intermediate half-life and no active
metabolites.
9.
A 19-year-old college student presents with restricted food intake, low BMI, and body
image distortion. Which is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Bulimia nervosa
B. Binge-eating disorder
C. Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder
D. Anorexia nervosa
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Anorexia nervosa involves calorie restriction, underweight status, and distorted body
image.
10.
Which medication requires baseline absolute neutrophil count (ANC) monitoring?
Diagnosis & Management in Psychiatric Mental Health Across
the Lifespan I Review| Questions & Answers Plus Rationales|
Grade A| 100% Correct (Verified Solutions)- Chamberlain
1.
A 45-year-old woman presents with persistent sadness, guilt, and fatigue for the past 6
months. She reports hypersomnia and overeating. No history of mania or substance use.
What is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Cyclothymic disorder
B. Persistent depressive disorder
C. Major depressive disorder
D. Adjustment disorder
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Symptoms lasting >2 weeks with marked impairment in functioning meet criteria for
major depressive disorder (MDD); there is no evidence of a manic or hypomanic episode.
2.
A 23-year-old college student reports panic attacks that occur unexpectedly and worries
constantly about having another attack. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Generalized anxiety disorder
B. Panic disorder
C. Social anxiety disorder
D. PTSD
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Recurrent, unexpected panic attacks with ongoing concern about recurrence defines
panic disorder.
3.
A 34-year-old female presents with alternating periods of elevated energy and irritability
for 5 days followed by depressive symptoms lasting weeks. What is the most appropriate
diagnosis?
A. Cyclothymic disorder
B. Bipolar I disorder
C. Bipolar II disorder
D. Major depressive disorder
,Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Hypomania lasting ≥4 days plus depression episodes meets criteria for Bipolar II.
4.
A 9-year-old boy displays aggression, defiance, and arguing with authority figures for 8
months. What is the best diagnosis?
A. Conduct disorder
B. Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder
C. ADHD
D. Oppositional defiant disorder
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Persistent defiant behavior without serious rule violation or aggression indicates
oppositional defiant disorder (ODD).
5.
A 72-year-old man complains of memory loss and confusion. MRI shows cortical atrophy,
and cognitive testing reveals impaired short-term memory. What is the next best step in
management?
A. Prescribe SSRIs
B. Start donepezil
C. CT scan for vascular lesions
D. Rule out reversible causes (B12, TSH, electrolytes)
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Always rule out reversible causes of cognitive impairment before diagnosing
dementia.
6.
A new mother presents with depressed mood, tearfulness, and poor sleep starting 2 weeks
postpartum. What is the appropriate diagnosis?
A. Postpartum blues
B. Major depressive disorder with peripartum onset
C. Adjustment disorder
D. Postpartum psychosis
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Onset after 2 weeks postpartum and meeting full criteria for MDD indicates
peripartum depression.
, 7.
Which of the following antipsychotics has the highest risk of metabolic side effects (weight
gain, dyslipidemia)?
A. Aripiprazole
B. Risperidone
C. Ziprasidone
D. Olanzapine
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Olanzapine is strongly associated with metabolic syndrome.
8.
In treating anxiety disorders in elderly patients, which benzodiazepine is preferred due to
lack of active metabolites?
A. Diazepam
B. Lorazepam
C. Chlordiazepoxide
D. Clonazepam
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Lorazepam (Ativan) is safer in elderly due to intermediate half-life and no active
metabolites.
9.
A 19-year-old college student presents with restricted food intake, low BMI, and body
image distortion. Which is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Bulimia nervosa
B. Binge-eating disorder
C. Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder
D. Anorexia nervosa
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Anorexia nervosa involves calorie restriction, underweight status, and distorted body
image.
10.
Which medication requires baseline absolute neutrophil count (ANC) monitoring?
