NR 547 Differential Diagnosis Across the Lifespan Midterm Exam
NR 547 DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS ACROSS THE LIFESPAN MIDTERM
EXAM NEWEST 2025/2026 COMPLETE ALL QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
DETAILED ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) |ALREADY GRADED
A+||BRAND NEW VERSION!
What is Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)? - ANSWER-Recurrent episodes of upper
airway collapse during sleep, leading to pauses in breathing (apneas) or shallow
breathing (hypopneas), resulting in oxygen desaturation and arousals from sleep.
What are the risk factors for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)? - ANSWER-Obesity,
male sex, older age, family history, and certain anatomical features.
What is Central Sleep Apnea (CSA)? - ANSWER-Cessation of breathing during sleep
due to a lack of respiratory effort from the brain.
What is the cornerstone of pharmacological treatment for schizophrenia? -
ANSWER-Antipsychotic medications.
How are antipsychotic medications categorized? - ANSWER-They are divided into
two generations: First-Generation Antipsychotics (FGAs) and Second-Generation
Antipsychotics (SGAs).
What are First-Generation Antipsychotics (FGAs)? - ANSWER-Primarily dopamine
D2 receptor antagonists, effective in treating positive symptoms but have a higher
risk of extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS). Examples include haloperidol,
chlorpromazine, and fluphenazine.
1|Page
, NR 547 Differential Diagnosis Across the Lifespan Midterm Exam
What are Second-Generation Antipsychotics (SGAs)? - ANSWER-Antipsychotics
with greater affinity for serotonin 5-HT2A receptors in addition to dopamine D2
receptors, generally lower risk of EPS but higher risk of metabolic side effects.
Examples include risperidone, olanzapine, and clozapine.
What are the treatment strategies for schizophrenia during the acute phase? -
ANSWER-The aim is to reduce positive symptoms and agitation, often involving
higher doses of antipsychotics and benzodiazepines for sedation.
What is the goal during the maintenance phase of schizophrenia treatment? -
ANSWER-To prevent relapse, manage residual symptoms, and improve
functioning, usually involving lower doses.
What is clozapine's role in treating schizophrenia? - ANSWER-Clozapine is the gold
standard for treatment-resistant schizophrenia (TRS) and requires careful
monitoring for agranulocytosis.
What is polypharmacy in the context of schizophrenia treatment? - ANSWER-The
use of multiple antipsychotics, generally discouraged due to increased side effects
and lack of strong evidence for superior efficacy.
What factors contribute to the etiology of schizophrenia? - ANSWER-Genetic
factors, neurobiological factors (dopamine hypothesis, serotonin dysregulation,
glutamate hypothesis, GABAergic dysfunction), environmental factors
(prenatal/perinatal factors, early life stress and trauma).
2|Page
, NR 547 Differential Diagnosis Across the Lifespan Midterm Exam
What is the dopamine hypothesis in schizophrenia? - ANSWER-Overactivity of the
mesolimbic dopamine pathway is implicated in positive symptoms.
How do serotonin abnormalities contribute to schizophrenia? - ANSWER-
Abnormalities in serotonin systems, particularly the 5-HT2A receptor, may
contribute to both positive and negative symptoms and modulate dopamine
release.
What is the glutamate hypothesis related to schizophrenia? - ANSWER-
Hypofunction of NMDA glutamate receptors, particularly in the prefrontal cortex,
is implicated in cognitive deficits and negative symptoms.
What structural brain abnormalities are associated with schizophrenia? -
ANSWER-Enlarged ventricles and reduced gray matter volume, particularly in the
prefrontal cortex and temporal lobes.
What prenatal and perinatal factors can increase the risk of developing
schizophrenia? - ANSWER-Maternal infection, malnutrition, and hypoxia during
birth.
How can early life stress and trauma affect schizophrenia risk? - ANSWER-
Childhood adversity can increase vulnerability to developing schizophrenia.
What are the prodromal symptoms of schizophrenia? - ANSWER-Early signs that
may indicate the onset of schizophrenia, often including changes in thoughts,
feelings, and behaviors.
3|Page
, NR 547 Differential Diagnosis Across the Lifespan Midterm Exam
What are the criteria for diagnosing schizophrenia, schizophreniform, and
schizoaffective disorder? - ANSWER-Specific diagnostic criteria that include the
presence of certain symptoms and their duration.
What are the common symptoms of catatonia? - ANSWER-Symptoms may include
immobility, excessive motor activity, extreme negativism, and peculiar voluntary
movements.
What is the importance of monitoring patients on second-generation
antipsychotic medications? - ANSWER-To manage potential side effects,
particularly metabolic side effects like weight gain and dyslipidemia.
What substance use is linked to increased risk in vulnerable individuals during
adolescence? - ANSWER-Cannabis use.
How is schizophrenia increasingly viewed in terms of its development? - ANSWER-
As a neurodevelopmental disorder with disruptions occurring early in brain
development.
What is crucial for monitoring patients on second-generation antipsychotic
medications? - ANSWER-Comprehensive monitoring due to the risk of metabolic
side effects.
What baseline assessments are necessary for patients on second-generation
antipsychotics? - ANSWER-Weight, waist circumference, blood pressure, fasting
glucose, lipid panel, and personal/family history of diabetes and cardiovascular
disease.
4|Page
NR 547 DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS ACROSS THE LIFESPAN MIDTERM
EXAM NEWEST 2025/2026 COMPLETE ALL QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
DETAILED ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) |ALREADY GRADED
A+||BRAND NEW VERSION!
What is Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)? - ANSWER-Recurrent episodes of upper
airway collapse during sleep, leading to pauses in breathing (apneas) or shallow
breathing (hypopneas), resulting in oxygen desaturation and arousals from sleep.
What are the risk factors for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)? - ANSWER-Obesity,
male sex, older age, family history, and certain anatomical features.
What is Central Sleep Apnea (CSA)? - ANSWER-Cessation of breathing during sleep
due to a lack of respiratory effort from the brain.
What is the cornerstone of pharmacological treatment for schizophrenia? -
ANSWER-Antipsychotic medications.
How are antipsychotic medications categorized? - ANSWER-They are divided into
two generations: First-Generation Antipsychotics (FGAs) and Second-Generation
Antipsychotics (SGAs).
What are First-Generation Antipsychotics (FGAs)? - ANSWER-Primarily dopamine
D2 receptor antagonists, effective in treating positive symptoms but have a higher
risk of extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS). Examples include haloperidol,
chlorpromazine, and fluphenazine.
1|Page
, NR 547 Differential Diagnosis Across the Lifespan Midterm Exam
What are Second-Generation Antipsychotics (SGAs)? - ANSWER-Antipsychotics
with greater affinity for serotonin 5-HT2A receptors in addition to dopamine D2
receptors, generally lower risk of EPS but higher risk of metabolic side effects.
Examples include risperidone, olanzapine, and clozapine.
What are the treatment strategies for schizophrenia during the acute phase? -
ANSWER-The aim is to reduce positive symptoms and agitation, often involving
higher doses of antipsychotics and benzodiazepines for sedation.
What is the goal during the maintenance phase of schizophrenia treatment? -
ANSWER-To prevent relapse, manage residual symptoms, and improve
functioning, usually involving lower doses.
What is clozapine's role in treating schizophrenia? - ANSWER-Clozapine is the gold
standard for treatment-resistant schizophrenia (TRS) and requires careful
monitoring for agranulocytosis.
What is polypharmacy in the context of schizophrenia treatment? - ANSWER-The
use of multiple antipsychotics, generally discouraged due to increased side effects
and lack of strong evidence for superior efficacy.
What factors contribute to the etiology of schizophrenia? - ANSWER-Genetic
factors, neurobiological factors (dopamine hypothesis, serotonin dysregulation,
glutamate hypothesis, GABAergic dysfunction), environmental factors
(prenatal/perinatal factors, early life stress and trauma).
2|Page
, NR 547 Differential Diagnosis Across the Lifespan Midterm Exam
What is the dopamine hypothesis in schizophrenia? - ANSWER-Overactivity of the
mesolimbic dopamine pathway is implicated in positive symptoms.
How do serotonin abnormalities contribute to schizophrenia? - ANSWER-
Abnormalities in serotonin systems, particularly the 5-HT2A receptor, may
contribute to both positive and negative symptoms and modulate dopamine
release.
What is the glutamate hypothesis related to schizophrenia? - ANSWER-
Hypofunction of NMDA glutamate receptors, particularly in the prefrontal cortex,
is implicated in cognitive deficits and negative symptoms.
What structural brain abnormalities are associated with schizophrenia? -
ANSWER-Enlarged ventricles and reduced gray matter volume, particularly in the
prefrontal cortex and temporal lobes.
What prenatal and perinatal factors can increase the risk of developing
schizophrenia? - ANSWER-Maternal infection, malnutrition, and hypoxia during
birth.
How can early life stress and trauma affect schizophrenia risk? - ANSWER-
Childhood adversity can increase vulnerability to developing schizophrenia.
What are the prodromal symptoms of schizophrenia? - ANSWER-Early signs that
may indicate the onset of schizophrenia, often including changes in thoughts,
feelings, and behaviors.
3|Page
, NR 547 Differential Diagnosis Across the Lifespan Midterm Exam
What are the criteria for diagnosing schizophrenia, schizophreniform, and
schizoaffective disorder? - ANSWER-Specific diagnostic criteria that include the
presence of certain symptoms and their duration.
What are the common symptoms of catatonia? - ANSWER-Symptoms may include
immobility, excessive motor activity, extreme negativism, and peculiar voluntary
movements.
What is the importance of monitoring patients on second-generation
antipsychotic medications? - ANSWER-To manage potential side effects,
particularly metabolic side effects like weight gain and dyslipidemia.
What substance use is linked to increased risk in vulnerable individuals during
adolescence? - ANSWER-Cannabis use.
How is schizophrenia increasingly viewed in terms of its development? - ANSWER-
As a neurodevelopmental disorder with disruptions occurring early in brain
development.
What is crucial for monitoring patients on second-generation antipsychotic
medications? - ANSWER-Comprehensive monitoring due to the risk of metabolic
side effects.
What baseline assessments are necessary for patients on second-generation
antipsychotics? - ANSWER-Weight, waist circumference, blood pressure, fasting
glucose, lipid panel, and personal/family history of diabetes and cardiovascular
disease.
4|Page
