NR 605 DIAGNOSIS & MANAGEMENT IN PSYCHIATRIC-MENTAL
HEALTH ACROSS THE LIFESPAN I PRACTICUM REVIEW 2026 EXAM
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. Major depressive disorder A 42-year-old patient presents with persistent sadness,
anhedonia, fatigue, and poor concentration for 6 weeks. What is the most likely
diagnosis?
• A. Adjustment disorder
• B. Major depressive disorder ✅
• C. Dysthymia
• D. Bipolar II disorder Answer: B. Major depressive disorder. Rationale: Symptoms
lasting >2 weeks with functional impairment meet MDD criteria.
2. Bipolar disorder management Which medication is considered first-line for acute
mania?
• A. Fluoxetine
• B. Lithium ✅
• C. Buspirone
• D. Bupropion Answer: B. Lithium. Rationale: Lithium is a gold-standard mood
stabilizer for acute mania.
3. Schizophrenia negative symptoms Which of the following is a negative symptom of
schizophrenia?
• A. Hallucinations
• B. Delusions
• C. Flat affect ✅
• D. Disorganized speech Answer: C. Flat affect. Rationale: Negative symptoms include
affective flattening, avolition, alogia.
4. Generalized anxiety disorder First-line pharmacologic treatment for GAD is:
• A. Benzodiazepines
• B. SSRIs ✅
• C. Beta-blockers
• D. Buspirone Answer: B. SSRIs. Rationale: SSRIs are first-line; benzos are short-term
adjuncts.
5. ADHD in children Which stimulant is most commonly prescribed for ADHD in school-
aged children?
• A. Atomoxetine
,• B. Methylphenidate ✅
• C. Bupropion
• D. Risperidone Answer: B. Methylphenidate. Rationale: Methylphenidate is widely
used and effective.
6. Delirium vs dementia Which feature best distinguishes delirium from dementia?
• A. Memory impairment
• B. Disorientation
• C. Acute onset ✅
• D. Language deficits Answer: C. Acute onset. Rationale: Delirium is acute and
fluctuating; dementia is chronic and progressive.
7. Suicide risk assessment Which factor is the strongest predictor of future suicide
attempts?
• A. Family history of suicide
• B. Current depressive episode
• C. Previous suicide attempt ✅
• D. Substance use Answer: C. Previous suicide attempt. Rationale: Past attempts are the
most reliable predictor.
8. Antipsychotic side effects Which antipsychotic carries the highest risk of
agranulocytosis?
• A. Haloperidol
• B. Risperidone
• C. Clozapine ✅
• D. Olanzapine Answer: C. Clozapine. Rationale: Clozapine requires regular CBC
monitoring.
9. PTSD treatment Which therapy is most effective for PTSD?
• A. Psychoanalysis
• B. Cognitive behavioral therapy ✅
• C. Electroconvulsive therapy
• D. Family therapy Answer: B. CBT. Rationale: Trauma-focused CBT is first-line.
10. Elderly depression Which antidepressant is preferred in elderly patients due to fewer
anticholinergic effects?
• A. Amitriptyline
• B. Paroxetine
• C. Sertraline ✅
, • D. Imipramine Answer: C. Sertraline. Rationale: SSRIs like sertraline are safer in older
adults.
11. Dialectical behavior therapy Which condition is DBT most effective for?
• A. Schizophrenia
• B. Borderline personality disorder ✅
• C. Bipolar disorder
• D. PTSD Answer: B. Borderline personality disorder. Rationale: DBT is evidence-based
for reducing self-harm and emotional dysregulation in BPD.
12. Electroconvulsive therapy Which is the strongest indication for ECT?
• A. Mild depression
• B. Catatonia ✅
• C. Panic disorder
• D. ADHD Answer: B. Catatonia. Rationale: ECT is highly effective for catatonia,
severe depression, and treatment-resistant mood disorders.
13. Antidepressant discontinuation syndrome Which antidepressant is most likely to cause
discontinuation symptoms if stopped abruptly?
• A. Fluoxetine
• B. Paroxetine ✅
• C. Bupropion
• D. Sertraline Answer: B. Paroxetine. Rationale: Short half-life SSRIs like paroxetine
carry higher risk of withdrawal symptoms.
14. Involuntary commitment Which is a legal criterion for involuntary psychiatric
hospitalization?
• A. Patient refuses medication
• B. Patient is homeless
• C. Patient poses danger to self or others ✅
• D. Patient has poor insight Answer: C. Danger to self or others. Rationale: Legal
standards require imminent risk or inability to care for basic needs.
15. Cultural psychiatry Which concept describes culturally specific syndromes recognized
in DSM-5?
• A. Somatic delusions
• B. Cultural-bound syndromes ✅
• C. Conversion disorder
HEALTH ACROSS THE LIFESPAN I PRACTICUM REVIEW 2026 EXAM
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. Major depressive disorder A 42-year-old patient presents with persistent sadness,
anhedonia, fatigue, and poor concentration for 6 weeks. What is the most likely
diagnosis?
• A. Adjustment disorder
• B. Major depressive disorder ✅
• C. Dysthymia
• D. Bipolar II disorder Answer: B. Major depressive disorder. Rationale: Symptoms
lasting >2 weeks with functional impairment meet MDD criteria.
2. Bipolar disorder management Which medication is considered first-line for acute
mania?
• A. Fluoxetine
• B. Lithium ✅
• C. Buspirone
• D. Bupropion Answer: B. Lithium. Rationale: Lithium is a gold-standard mood
stabilizer for acute mania.
3. Schizophrenia negative symptoms Which of the following is a negative symptom of
schizophrenia?
• A. Hallucinations
• B. Delusions
• C. Flat affect ✅
• D. Disorganized speech Answer: C. Flat affect. Rationale: Negative symptoms include
affective flattening, avolition, alogia.
4. Generalized anxiety disorder First-line pharmacologic treatment for GAD is:
• A. Benzodiazepines
• B. SSRIs ✅
• C. Beta-blockers
• D. Buspirone Answer: B. SSRIs. Rationale: SSRIs are first-line; benzos are short-term
adjuncts.
5. ADHD in children Which stimulant is most commonly prescribed for ADHD in school-
aged children?
• A. Atomoxetine
,• B. Methylphenidate ✅
• C. Bupropion
• D. Risperidone Answer: B. Methylphenidate. Rationale: Methylphenidate is widely
used and effective.
6. Delirium vs dementia Which feature best distinguishes delirium from dementia?
• A. Memory impairment
• B. Disorientation
• C. Acute onset ✅
• D. Language deficits Answer: C. Acute onset. Rationale: Delirium is acute and
fluctuating; dementia is chronic and progressive.
7. Suicide risk assessment Which factor is the strongest predictor of future suicide
attempts?
• A. Family history of suicide
• B. Current depressive episode
• C. Previous suicide attempt ✅
• D. Substance use Answer: C. Previous suicide attempt. Rationale: Past attempts are the
most reliable predictor.
8. Antipsychotic side effects Which antipsychotic carries the highest risk of
agranulocytosis?
• A. Haloperidol
• B. Risperidone
• C. Clozapine ✅
• D. Olanzapine Answer: C. Clozapine. Rationale: Clozapine requires regular CBC
monitoring.
9. PTSD treatment Which therapy is most effective for PTSD?
• A. Psychoanalysis
• B. Cognitive behavioral therapy ✅
• C. Electroconvulsive therapy
• D. Family therapy Answer: B. CBT. Rationale: Trauma-focused CBT is first-line.
10. Elderly depression Which antidepressant is preferred in elderly patients due to fewer
anticholinergic effects?
• A. Amitriptyline
• B. Paroxetine
• C. Sertraline ✅
, • D. Imipramine Answer: C. Sertraline. Rationale: SSRIs like sertraline are safer in older
adults.
11. Dialectical behavior therapy Which condition is DBT most effective for?
• A. Schizophrenia
• B. Borderline personality disorder ✅
• C. Bipolar disorder
• D. PTSD Answer: B. Borderline personality disorder. Rationale: DBT is evidence-based
for reducing self-harm and emotional dysregulation in BPD.
12. Electroconvulsive therapy Which is the strongest indication for ECT?
• A. Mild depression
• B. Catatonia ✅
• C. Panic disorder
• D. ADHD Answer: B. Catatonia. Rationale: ECT is highly effective for catatonia,
severe depression, and treatment-resistant mood disorders.
13. Antidepressant discontinuation syndrome Which antidepressant is most likely to cause
discontinuation symptoms if stopped abruptly?
• A. Fluoxetine
• B. Paroxetine ✅
• C. Bupropion
• D. Sertraline Answer: B. Paroxetine. Rationale: Short half-life SSRIs like paroxetine
carry higher risk of withdrawal symptoms.
14. Involuntary commitment Which is a legal criterion for involuntary psychiatric
hospitalization?
• A. Patient refuses medication
• B. Patient is homeless
• C. Patient poses danger to self or others ✅
• D. Patient has poor insight Answer: C. Danger to self or others. Rationale: Legal
standards require imminent risk or inability to care for basic needs.
15. Cultural psychiatry Which concept describes culturally specific syndromes recognized
in DSM-5?
• A. Somatic delusions
• B. Cultural-bound syndromes ✅
• C. Conversion disorder
