1
NSG 527 Final Exam Wilkes University Actual
Exam 2026/2027 – Complete Exam-Style
Questions with Detailed Rationales | 100%
Verified | Pass Guaranteed – A+ Graded
[SECTION 1: Advanced Psychopathology (DSM-5-TR) — Questions 1-25]
Q1: A patient diagnosed with schizophrenia exhibits a marked lack of motivation, diminished
emotional expression, and social withdrawal. Which category of symptoms are these described
as?
A. Positive symptoms
B. Cognitive symptoms
C. Negative symptoms [CORRECT]
D. Mood symptoms
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The symptoms described—avolition (lack of motivation), blunted affect (diminished
emotional expression), and asociality (withdrawal)—are classic negative symptoms of
schizophrenia. Negative symptoms represent a diminution or absence of normal characteristics,
whereas positive symptoms (A) represent an excess or distortion (e.g., hallucinations, delusions).
Cognitive symptoms (B) refer to deficits in attention and working memory, not necessarily social
withdrawal.
Q2: According to DSM-5-TR criteria, what is the minimum duration requirement for a manic
episode associated with Bipolar I Disorder?
A. 1 week
B. 1 week [CORRECT]
C. 2 weeks
D. 4 days
,2
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A distinct period of abnormally and persistently elevated, expansive, or irritable mood
and increased activity or energy lasting at least 1 week is required for a manic episode (or any
duration if hospitalization is necessary). Hypomania, seen in Bipolar II, requires only 4 days (D).
2 weeks (C) is the duration requirement for a Major Depressive Episode.
Q3: Which of the following is a core criterion for diagnosing Major Depressive Disorder
(MDD)?
A. Depressed mood or anhedonia for at least 2 weeks
C. Depressed mood or anhedonia for at least 2 weeks [CORRECT]
D. Presence of manic symptoms
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The hallmark feature of MDD is the presence of at least five symptoms, one of which
must be either depressed mood or anhedonia (loss of interest), persisting for at least 2 weeks.
These symptoms must represent a change from previous functioning. While sleep and appetite
changes (A, B) are symptoms, they are not the required core criteria.
Q4: A patient presents to the emergency department with recurrent, unexpected panic attacks
followed by at least one month of persistent worry about having another attack or maladaptive
changes in behavior. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
B. Social Anxiety Disorder
C. Panic Disorder [CORRECT]
D. Specific Phobia
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Panic Disorder is characterized by recurrent unexpected panic attacks and subsequent
persistent worry or behavioral changes (e.g., avoidance) related to the attacks. GAD (A) involves
excessive, difficult-to-control anxiety about various life events, not just panic attacks. Specific
,3
Phobia (D) involves fear of a specific object or situation, not necessarily spontaneous panic
attacks.
Q5: Which of the following describes the primary difference between Obsessions and
Compulsions in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)?
A. Obsessions are behaviors; compulsions are thoughts.
C. Obsessions are recurrent thoughts/urges; compulsions are repetitive behaviors/mental acts.
[CORRECT]
D. There is no difference; they are the same.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: According to the DSM-5-TR, obsessions are recurrent and persistent thoughts, urges,
or images that are intrusive and unwanted. Compulsions are repetitive behaviors or mental acts
(e.g., hand washing, counting) that the individual feels driven to perform in response to an
obsession or according to rigid rules. Obsessions are mental (A), while compulsions are
behavioral (B).
Q6: A patient who survived a severe car accident three months ago reports intrusive memories of
the crash, avoids driving, and experiences hypervigilance and startle responses. These symptoms
cause significant distress. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Acute Stress Disorder
B. Adjustment Disorder
C. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) [CORRECT]
D. Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The patient presents with symptoms of re-experiencing (intrusive memories),
avoidance (not driving), and hyperarousal (startle response) lasting more than one month
following a traumatic event. This meets the criteria for PTSD. Acute Stress Disorder (A) has a
similar presentation but symptoms last between 3 days and 1 month following the trauma.
, 4
Q7: Which cluster of personality disorders is characterized by behavior that appears odd,
eccentric, or peculiar?
A. Cluster A
C. Cluster A [CORRECT]
D. Cluster C
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Cluster A personality disorders are characterized by odd or eccentric behavior and
include Paranoid, Schizoid, and Schizotypal Personality Disorders. Cluster B (A) includes
dramatic, emotional, or erratic disorders (e.g., Borderline, Antisocial), and Cluster C (B) includes
anxious or fearful disorders (e.g., Avoidant, Obsessive-Compulsive).
Q8: A patient is extremely fearful of gaining weight and engages in recurrent episodes of binge
eating followed by inappropriate compensatory behaviors such as vomiting. What is the most
likely diagnosis?
A. Anorexia Nervosa
B. Binge-Eating Disorder
C. Bulimia Nervosa [CORRECT]
D. Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Bulimia Nervosa is characterized by recurrent episodes of binge eating followed by
compensatory behaviors to prevent weight gain, such as self-induced vomiting, misuse of
laxatives, or excessive exercise. Anorexia Nervosa (A) involves restriction of energy intake
leading to low body weight, not necessarily binge eating. Binge-Eating Disorder (B) involves
binge eating without compensatory behaviors.
Q9: In the assessment of Schizophrenia, what is "alogia"?
A. A lack of emotional expression
C. Poverty of speech [CORRECT]
NSG 527 Final Exam Wilkes University Actual
Exam 2026/2027 – Complete Exam-Style
Questions with Detailed Rationales | 100%
Verified | Pass Guaranteed – A+ Graded
[SECTION 1: Advanced Psychopathology (DSM-5-TR) — Questions 1-25]
Q1: A patient diagnosed with schizophrenia exhibits a marked lack of motivation, diminished
emotional expression, and social withdrawal. Which category of symptoms are these described
as?
A. Positive symptoms
B. Cognitive symptoms
C. Negative symptoms [CORRECT]
D. Mood symptoms
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The symptoms described—avolition (lack of motivation), blunted affect (diminished
emotional expression), and asociality (withdrawal)—are classic negative symptoms of
schizophrenia. Negative symptoms represent a diminution or absence of normal characteristics,
whereas positive symptoms (A) represent an excess or distortion (e.g., hallucinations, delusions).
Cognitive symptoms (B) refer to deficits in attention and working memory, not necessarily social
withdrawal.
Q2: According to DSM-5-TR criteria, what is the minimum duration requirement for a manic
episode associated with Bipolar I Disorder?
A. 1 week
B. 1 week [CORRECT]
C. 2 weeks
D. 4 days
,2
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A distinct period of abnormally and persistently elevated, expansive, or irritable mood
and increased activity or energy lasting at least 1 week is required for a manic episode (or any
duration if hospitalization is necessary). Hypomania, seen in Bipolar II, requires only 4 days (D).
2 weeks (C) is the duration requirement for a Major Depressive Episode.
Q3: Which of the following is a core criterion for diagnosing Major Depressive Disorder
(MDD)?
A. Depressed mood or anhedonia for at least 2 weeks
C. Depressed mood or anhedonia for at least 2 weeks [CORRECT]
D. Presence of manic symptoms
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The hallmark feature of MDD is the presence of at least five symptoms, one of which
must be either depressed mood or anhedonia (loss of interest), persisting for at least 2 weeks.
These symptoms must represent a change from previous functioning. While sleep and appetite
changes (A, B) are symptoms, they are not the required core criteria.
Q4: A patient presents to the emergency department with recurrent, unexpected panic attacks
followed by at least one month of persistent worry about having another attack or maladaptive
changes in behavior. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
B. Social Anxiety Disorder
C. Panic Disorder [CORRECT]
D. Specific Phobia
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Panic Disorder is characterized by recurrent unexpected panic attacks and subsequent
persistent worry or behavioral changes (e.g., avoidance) related to the attacks. GAD (A) involves
excessive, difficult-to-control anxiety about various life events, not just panic attacks. Specific
,3
Phobia (D) involves fear of a specific object or situation, not necessarily spontaneous panic
attacks.
Q5: Which of the following describes the primary difference between Obsessions and
Compulsions in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)?
A. Obsessions are behaviors; compulsions are thoughts.
C. Obsessions are recurrent thoughts/urges; compulsions are repetitive behaviors/mental acts.
[CORRECT]
D. There is no difference; they are the same.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: According to the DSM-5-TR, obsessions are recurrent and persistent thoughts, urges,
or images that are intrusive and unwanted. Compulsions are repetitive behaviors or mental acts
(e.g., hand washing, counting) that the individual feels driven to perform in response to an
obsession or according to rigid rules. Obsessions are mental (A), while compulsions are
behavioral (B).
Q6: A patient who survived a severe car accident three months ago reports intrusive memories of
the crash, avoids driving, and experiences hypervigilance and startle responses. These symptoms
cause significant distress. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Acute Stress Disorder
B. Adjustment Disorder
C. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) [CORRECT]
D. Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The patient presents with symptoms of re-experiencing (intrusive memories),
avoidance (not driving), and hyperarousal (startle response) lasting more than one month
following a traumatic event. This meets the criteria for PTSD. Acute Stress Disorder (A) has a
similar presentation but symptoms last between 3 days and 1 month following the trauma.
, 4
Q7: Which cluster of personality disorders is characterized by behavior that appears odd,
eccentric, or peculiar?
A. Cluster A
C. Cluster A [CORRECT]
D. Cluster C
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Cluster A personality disorders are characterized by odd or eccentric behavior and
include Paranoid, Schizoid, and Schizotypal Personality Disorders. Cluster B (A) includes
dramatic, emotional, or erratic disorders (e.g., Borderline, Antisocial), and Cluster C (B) includes
anxious or fearful disorders (e.g., Avoidant, Obsessive-Compulsive).
Q8: A patient is extremely fearful of gaining weight and engages in recurrent episodes of binge
eating followed by inappropriate compensatory behaviors such as vomiting. What is the most
likely diagnosis?
A. Anorexia Nervosa
B. Binge-Eating Disorder
C. Bulimia Nervosa [CORRECT]
D. Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Bulimia Nervosa is characterized by recurrent episodes of binge eating followed by
compensatory behaviors to prevent weight gain, such as self-induced vomiting, misuse of
laxatives, or excessive exercise. Anorexia Nervosa (A) involves restriction of energy intake
leading to low body weight, not necessarily binge eating. Binge-Eating Disorder (B) involves
binge eating without compensatory behaviors.
Q9: In the assessment of Schizophrenia, what is "alogia"?
A. A lack of emotional expression
C. Poverty of speech [CORRECT]
