NR 547 Differential Diagnosis in Psychiatric-Mental
Health across the Lifespan Practicum - Chamberlain
1/8
, NR 547 Midterm Study Guide
1. what is the first step in creating a differential dx: R/O malingering or
factitious disorder
2. what is the second step in creating a DDx: r/o substance etiology
3. DSM 5 criteria for substance and medication induced presentation:
psych
symptoms can be attributed to substance abuse use if they stop within one
month of stopping the substance
is psych symptoms persist without substances, then psych disorder is
primary if symptoms improve when substance is gone, then substance is
primary
2/8
4. what is the 3rd step in creating a DDx: R/O disorder d/t a medical
condition
5. rule of thumb for knowing that psych symptoms are caused by a
medical condition: -if the psych symptoms begin following onset of
, medical condition
-if they vary in severity with the severity of the med condition
-if they disappear when the med condition resolves
6. when does a general medical condition need to be considered in the
DDx: if the psych presentation is atypical in symptom pattern, age at onset,
or course
ex: severe memory loss accompanies depression- this does not go together-
could be due to a medical issue
7. What is the 4th step in creating a DDx: determine the specific primary
disor- der- use the DSM 5
8. what is the 5th step in creating a DDx: differentiate adjustment
disorders from the residual other specified or unspecific disorders
9. how do you know if something is
3/8
an adjustment disorder?: if
symptoms have developed as a result of maladaptive response to a
psych stressor
10. how do you know if a psych dx falls under the "other specific/
unspecified" category?: is a stressor is not responsible for the
Health across the Lifespan Practicum - Chamberlain
1/8
, NR 547 Midterm Study Guide
1. what is the first step in creating a differential dx: R/O malingering or
factitious disorder
2. what is the second step in creating a DDx: r/o substance etiology
3. DSM 5 criteria for substance and medication induced presentation:
psych
symptoms can be attributed to substance abuse use if they stop within one
month of stopping the substance
is psych symptoms persist without substances, then psych disorder is
primary if symptoms improve when substance is gone, then substance is
primary
2/8
4. what is the 3rd step in creating a DDx: R/O disorder d/t a medical
condition
5. rule of thumb for knowing that psych symptoms are caused by a
medical condition: -if the psych symptoms begin following onset of
, medical condition
-if they vary in severity with the severity of the med condition
-if they disappear when the med condition resolves
6. when does a general medical condition need to be considered in the
DDx: if the psych presentation is atypical in symptom pattern, age at onset,
or course
ex: severe memory loss accompanies depression- this does not go together-
could be due to a medical issue
7. What is the 4th step in creating a DDx: determine the specific primary
disor- der- use the DSM 5
8. what is the 5th step in creating a DDx: differentiate adjustment
disorders from the residual other specified or unspecific disorders
9. how do you know if something is
3/8
an adjustment disorder?: if
symptoms have developed as a result of maladaptive response to a
psych stressor
10. how do you know if a psych dx falls under the "other specific/
unspecified" category?: is a stressor is not responsible for the
