PSYCH FINAL EXAM AND PRACTICE
QUESTIONS ACTUAL EXAM QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS (VERIFIED
ANSWERS) |ALREADY GRADED A+
Question 1
A 24-year-old patient presents with persistent sadness, anhedonia, fatigue, and
difficulty concentrating for the past 3 weeks. Which neurotransmitter imbalance is
most associated with this condition?
A. Dopamine excess
B. Serotonin deficiency
C. Acetylcholine excess
D. GABA excess
Answer: B
Rationale: Major depressive disorder is strongly associated with decreased levels
of serotonin, along with norepinephrine and dopamine dysregulation.
Question 2
A patient with schizophrenia reports hearing voices that comment on their actions.
This symptom is best classified as:
A. Delusion
B. Illusion
C. Hallucination
D. Thought insertion
Answer: C
Rationale: Hearing voices without an external stimulus is an auditory
hallucination, a hallmark positive symptom of schizophrenia.
,Question 3
A nurse observes a manic patient exhibiting rapid speech, grandiosity, and
decreased need for sleep. Which medication is most appropriate for acute
management?
A. Fluoxetine
B. Lithium
C. Diazepam
D. Haloperidol
Answer: B
Rationale: Lithium is a first-line mood stabilizer used to treat acute mania and
prevent relapse in bipolar disorder.
Question 4
A patient states, “I feel like I am outside my body watching myself.” This is an
example of:
A. Derealization
B. Depersonalization
C. Dissociation
D. Delusion
Answer: B
Rationale: Depersonalization involves a sense of detachment from oneself, as if
observing oneself externally.
Question 5
A client with obsessive-compulsive disorder repeatedly washes their hands due to
fear of contamination. The handwashing is an example of:
A. Obsession
B. Compulsion
C. Delusion
D. Phobia
,Answer: B
Rationale: Compulsions are repetitive behaviors performed to reduce anxiety
caused by obsessions.
Question 6
A patient taking antipsychotics develops muscle rigidity, fever, and altered
consciousness. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Serotonin syndrome
B. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome
C. Tardive dyskinesia
D. Acute dystonia
Answer: B
Rationale: Neuroleptic malignant syndrome is a life-threatening reaction to
antipsychotics characterized by rigidity, hyperthermia, and autonomic instability.
Question 7
A patient expresses a persistent irrational fear of heights that interferes with daily
activities. This condition is classified as:
A. Generalized anxiety disorder
B. Panic disorder
C. Specific phobia
D. Social anxiety disorder
Answer: C
Rationale: A specific phobia involves intense fear of a particular object or
situation, such as heights.
, Question 8
A patient with PTSD experiences flashbacks and nightmares after a traumatic
event. Which brain structure is primarily involved in processing fear and emotional
memory?
A. Cerebellum
B. Amygdala
C. Thalamus
D. Medulla
Answer: B
Rationale: The amygdala plays a key role in fear processing and emotional
memory, often hyperactive in PTSD.
Question 9
A nurse notices a patient mimicking the movements of others. This behavior is
known as:
A. Echolalia
B. Echopraxia
C. Catatonia
D. Perseveration
Answer: B
Rationale: Echopraxia refers to the imitation of another person's movements,
commonly seen in schizophrenia and catatonia.
Question 10
A patient presents with sudden episodes of intense fear, palpitations, and shortness
of breath lasting several minutes. These symptoms are characteristic of:
A. Panic attack
B. Phobia
C. Depression
D. OCD
QUESTIONS ACTUAL EXAM QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS (VERIFIED
ANSWERS) |ALREADY GRADED A+
Question 1
A 24-year-old patient presents with persistent sadness, anhedonia, fatigue, and
difficulty concentrating for the past 3 weeks. Which neurotransmitter imbalance is
most associated with this condition?
A. Dopamine excess
B. Serotonin deficiency
C. Acetylcholine excess
D. GABA excess
Answer: B
Rationale: Major depressive disorder is strongly associated with decreased levels
of serotonin, along with norepinephrine and dopamine dysregulation.
Question 2
A patient with schizophrenia reports hearing voices that comment on their actions.
This symptom is best classified as:
A. Delusion
B. Illusion
C. Hallucination
D. Thought insertion
Answer: C
Rationale: Hearing voices without an external stimulus is an auditory
hallucination, a hallmark positive symptom of schizophrenia.
,Question 3
A nurse observes a manic patient exhibiting rapid speech, grandiosity, and
decreased need for sleep. Which medication is most appropriate for acute
management?
A. Fluoxetine
B. Lithium
C. Diazepam
D. Haloperidol
Answer: B
Rationale: Lithium is a first-line mood stabilizer used to treat acute mania and
prevent relapse in bipolar disorder.
Question 4
A patient states, “I feel like I am outside my body watching myself.” This is an
example of:
A. Derealization
B. Depersonalization
C. Dissociation
D. Delusion
Answer: B
Rationale: Depersonalization involves a sense of detachment from oneself, as if
observing oneself externally.
Question 5
A client with obsessive-compulsive disorder repeatedly washes their hands due to
fear of contamination. The handwashing is an example of:
A. Obsession
B. Compulsion
C. Delusion
D. Phobia
,Answer: B
Rationale: Compulsions are repetitive behaviors performed to reduce anxiety
caused by obsessions.
Question 6
A patient taking antipsychotics develops muscle rigidity, fever, and altered
consciousness. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Serotonin syndrome
B. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome
C. Tardive dyskinesia
D. Acute dystonia
Answer: B
Rationale: Neuroleptic malignant syndrome is a life-threatening reaction to
antipsychotics characterized by rigidity, hyperthermia, and autonomic instability.
Question 7
A patient expresses a persistent irrational fear of heights that interferes with daily
activities. This condition is classified as:
A. Generalized anxiety disorder
B. Panic disorder
C. Specific phobia
D. Social anxiety disorder
Answer: C
Rationale: A specific phobia involves intense fear of a particular object or
situation, such as heights.
, Question 8
A patient with PTSD experiences flashbacks and nightmares after a traumatic
event. Which brain structure is primarily involved in processing fear and emotional
memory?
A. Cerebellum
B. Amygdala
C. Thalamus
D. Medulla
Answer: B
Rationale: The amygdala plays a key role in fear processing and emotional
memory, often hyperactive in PTSD.
Question 9
A nurse notices a patient mimicking the movements of others. This behavior is
known as:
A. Echolalia
B. Echopraxia
C. Catatonia
D. Perseveration
Answer: B
Rationale: Echopraxia refers to the imitation of another person's movements,
commonly seen in schizophrenia and catatonia.
Question 10
A patient presents with sudden episodes of intense fear, palpitations, and shortness
of breath lasting several minutes. These symptoms are characteristic of:
A. Panic attack
B. Phobia
C. Depression
D. OCD
