Page 1 of 81
KAPLAN & SADOCK’S SYNOPSIS OF
PSYCHIATRY 12TH EDITION BY ROBERT
BOLAND; MARICA VERDIUN; PEDRO RUIZ
.| CHAPTER 1-35 COMPLETE GUIDE
QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT ANSWERS &
RATIONALES.
Question 1
A 30-year-old patient reports feeling sad after the recent death
of a pet. Appetite, sleep, and daily routine are unchanged. How
should the clinician interpret this?
A) The symptoms meet DSM-5 criteria for major depressive
disorder.
B) The patient is at risk for developing a mental illness.
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C) The patient’s behaviors demonstrate no functional impairment
and do not indicate mental illness. ✅
D) The patient is exhibiting a cultural-bound syndrome.
Rationale: Sadness following a loss is normal unless
accompanied by functional impairment or additional symptoms
of depression. Grief and depression are distinguished by
functional impairment and additional symptoms (Boland et al.,
Ch. 1).
Question 2
During an intake assessment, a patient states angrily, “I’m here
for my heart, not my head problems.” What is the best response?
A) “We ask these questions of all patients.”
B) “Why are you concerned about these questions?”
C) “Psychological factors like excessive stress have been found to
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affect medical conditions.” ✅
D) “Your heart problems may be causing your anxiety.”
Rationale: Acknowledging the mind-body connection validates
the patient’s concerns and provides psychoeducation, facilitating
engagement (Boland et al., Ch. 1).
Question 3
At what point should a clinician determine that a patient is at risk
for developing a mental illness?
A) When thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are not reflective of
DSM-5 criteria.
B) When maladaptive responses to stress are coupled with
interference in daily functioning. ✅
C) When a patient communicates significant distress.
D) When a patient uses defense mechanisms as ego protection.
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Rationale: Risk for mental illness increases when maladaptive
coping and impaired daily functioning coexist, even before full
diagnostic criteria are met (Boland et al., Ch. 1).
Question 4
A nurse states, “This patient’s use of defense mechanisms should
be eliminated.” How should the supervisor respond?
A) “Defense mechanisms can be appropriate responses to stress
and need not be eliminated.” ✅
B) “Defense mechanisms are always maladaptive and should be
eliminated.”
C) “Only primitive defenses should be eliminated.”
D) “Defense mechanisms indicate weak ego integrity and should
be discouraged.”
KAPLAN & SADOCK’S SYNOPSIS OF
PSYCHIATRY 12TH EDITION BY ROBERT
BOLAND; MARICA VERDIUN; PEDRO RUIZ
.| CHAPTER 1-35 COMPLETE GUIDE
QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT ANSWERS &
RATIONALES.
Question 1
A 30-year-old patient reports feeling sad after the recent death
of a pet. Appetite, sleep, and daily routine are unchanged. How
should the clinician interpret this?
A) The symptoms meet DSM-5 criteria for major depressive
disorder.
B) The patient is at risk for developing a mental illness.
,Page 2 of 81
C) The patient’s behaviors demonstrate no functional impairment
and do not indicate mental illness. ✅
D) The patient is exhibiting a cultural-bound syndrome.
Rationale: Sadness following a loss is normal unless
accompanied by functional impairment or additional symptoms
of depression. Grief and depression are distinguished by
functional impairment and additional symptoms (Boland et al.,
Ch. 1).
Question 2
During an intake assessment, a patient states angrily, “I’m here
for my heart, not my head problems.” What is the best response?
A) “We ask these questions of all patients.”
B) “Why are you concerned about these questions?”
C) “Psychological factors like excessive stress have been found to
,Page 3 of 81
affect medical conditions.” ✅
D) “Your heart problems may be causing your anxiety.”
Rationale: Acknowledging the mind-body connection validates
the patient’s concerns and provides psychoeducation, facilitating
engagement (Boland et al., Ch. 1).
Question 3
At what point should a clinician determine that a patient is at risk
for developing a mental illness?
A) When thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are not reflective of
DSM-5 criteria.
B) When maladaptive responses to stress are coupled with
interference in daily functioning. ✅
C) When a patient communicates significant distress.
D) When a patient uses defense mechanisms as ego protection.
, Page 4 of 81
Rationale: Risk for mental illness increases when maladaptive
coping and impaired daily functioning coexist, even before full
diagnostic criteria are met (Boland et al., Ch. 1).
Question 4
A nurse states, “This patient’s use of defense mechanisms should
be eliminated.” How should the supervisor respond?
A) “Defense mechanisms can be appropriate responses to stress
and need not be eliminated.” ✅
B) “Defense mechanisms are always maladaptive and should be
eliminated.”
C) “Only primitive defenses should be eliminated.”
D) “Defense mechanisms indicate weak ego integrity and should
be discouraged.”
