Kaplan and Sadock's Synopsis of Psychiatry 12th Edition
Question 1
Which of the following is considered a positive symptom of schizophrenia?
A) Affective flattening.
B) Alogia.
C) Delusions.
D) Avolition.
E) Anhedonia.
Correct Answer: C) Delusions.
Rationale: Positive symptoms of schizophrenia are those that add to
normal experience, such as delusions, hallucinations, disorganized
thought, and bizarre behavior. Affective flattening, alogia, avolition,
and anhedonia are negative symptoms.
Question 2
A 25-year-old client presents with recurrent, unexpected panic attacks,
followed by a month or more of persistent concern about having another
attack. This presentation is most consistent with:
A) Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD).
B) Social Anxiety Disorder.
C) Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD).
D) Panic Disorder.
E) Acute Stress Disorder.
Correct Answer: D) Panic Disorder.
Rationale: Panic disorder is characterized by recurrent, unexpected
panic attacks and at least one month of persistent concern about
additional attacks, worry about implications, or a significant change
in behavior related to the attacks.
Question 3
Which neurotransmitter is primarily implicated in the pathophysiology of
depression, with most antidepressant medications targeting its reuptake or
metabolism?
,A) Dopamine.
B) Acetylcholine.
C) Serotonin.
D) Norepinephrine.
E) Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA).
Correct Answer: C) Serotonin.
Rationale: While other neurotransmitters (like norepinephrine and
dopamine) are also involved, serotonin is a key neurotransmitter
targeted by many modern antidepressants, particularly Selective
Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs).
Question 4
A client with Bipolar I Disorder is experiencing a manic episode. Which
symptom is characteristic of mania?
A) Psychomotor retardation.
B) Flat affect.
C) Grandiosity.
D) Hypersomnia.
E) Decreased energy.
Correct Answer: C) Grandiosity.
Rationale: Grandiosity (inflated self-esteem or sense of importance)
is a hallmark symptom of a manic episode, along with decreased
need for sleep, increased energy, pressured speech, and racing
thoughts.
Question 5
Which of the following is a classic symptom of delirium?
A) Gradual onset of cognitive decline.
B) Permanent and irreversible cognitive impairment.
C) Acute onset and fluctuating level of consciousness.
D) Stable and consistent disorientation.
E) Absence of perceptual disturbances.
,Correct Answer: C) Acute onset and fluctuating level of
consciousness.
Rationale: Delirium is characterized by its acute (sudden) onset,
fluctuating course (symptoms worsen and improve throughout the
day), and disturbances in attention, awareness, and cognition.
Question 6
A client with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) performs rituals like
repetitive handwashing. These repetitive behaviors are known as:
A) Delusions.
B) Hallucinations.
C) Obsessions.
D) Compulsions.
E) Tics.
Correct Answer: D) Compulsions.
Rationale: Compulsions are repetitive behaviors or mental acts that
an individual feels driven to perform in response to an obsession or
according to rigid rules, aimed at reducing distress or preventing a
feared event.
Question 7
Which defense mechanism involves unconsciously transferring unacceptable
thoughts or feelings onto another person?
A) Rationalization.
B) Sublimation.
C) Projection.
D) Repression.
E) Displacement.
Correct Answer: C) Projection.
Rationale: Projection is an unconscious defense mechanism where
an individual attributes their own unacceptable thoughts, feelings,
or impulses to another person.
, Question 8
A client presents with a persistent preoccupation with a perceived defect in
their physical appearance, which is not observable or appears slight to
others. This causes significant distress and impairment. This is most
consistent with:
A) Anorexia Nervosa.
B) Social Anxiety Disorder.
C) Body Dysmorphic Disorder.
D) Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD).
E) Conversion Disorder.
Correct Answer: C) Body Dysmorphic Disorder.
Rationale: Body Dysmorphic Disorder is characterized by a
preoccupation with imagined or slight defects in appearance,
leading to repetitive behaviors (e.g., mirror checking) and
significant distress.
Question 9
Which medication class is considered first-line for the long-term treatment of
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)?
A) Benzodiazepines.
B) Antipsychotics.
C) Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs).
D) Beta-blockers.
E) Mood stabilizers.
Correct Answer: C) Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs).
Rationale: SSRIs (e.g., escitalopram, sertraline, paroxetine) are
typically recommended as first-line agents for long-term
management of GAD due to their efficacy and lower risk of
dependence compared to benzodiazepines.
Question 10
A client with Schizophrenia states, "The government is spying on me through
Question 1
Which of the following is considered a positive symptom of schizophrenia?
A) Affective flattening.
B) Alogia.
C) Delusions.
D) Avolition.
E) Anhedonia.
Correct Answer: C) Delusions.
Rationale: Positive symptoms of schizophrenia are those that add to
normal experience, such as delusions, hallucinations, disorganized
thought, and bizarre behavior. Affective flattening, alogia, avolition,
and anhedonia are negative symptoms.
Question 2
A 25-year-old client presents with recurrent, unexpected panic attacks,
followed by a month or more of persistent concern about having another
attack. This presentation is most consistent with:
A) Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD).
B) Social Anxiety Disorder.
C) Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD).
D) Panic Disorder.
E) Acute Stress Disorder.
Correct Answer: D) Panic Disorder.
Rationale: Panic disorder is characterized by recurrent, unexpected
panic attacks and at least one month of persistent concern about
additional attacks, worry about implications, or a significant change
in behavior related to the attacks.
Question 3
Which neurotransmitter is primarily implicated in the pathophysiology of
depression, with most antidepressant medications targeting its reuptake or
metabolism?
,A) Dopamine.
B) Acetylcholine.
C) Serotonin.
D) Norepinephrine.
E) Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA).
Correct Answer: C) Serotonin.
Rationale: While other neurotransmitters (like norepinephrine and
dopamine) are also involved, serotonin is a key neurotransmitter
targeted by many modern antidepressants, particularly Selective
Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs).
Question 4
A client with Bipolar I Disorder is experiencing a manic episode. Which
symptom is characteristic of mania?
A) Psychomotor retardation.
B) Flat affect.
C) Grandiosity.
D) Hypersomnia.
E) Decreased energy.
Correct Answer: C) Grandiosity.
Rationale: Grandiosity (inflated self-esteem or sense of importance)
is a hallmark symptom of a manic episode, along with decreased
need for sleep, increased energy, pressured speech, and racing
thoughts.
Question 5
Which of the following is a classic symptom of delirium?
A) Gradual onset of cognitive decline.
B) Permanent and irreversible cognitive impairment.
C) Acute onset and fluctuating level of consciousness.
D) Stable and consistent disorientation.
E) Absence of perceptual disturbances.
,Correct Answer: C) Acute onset and fluctuating level of
consciousness.
Rationale: Delirium is characterized by its acute (sudden) onset,
fluctuating course (symptoms worsen and improve throughout the
day), and disturbances in attention, awareness, and cognition.
Question 6
A client with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) performs rituals like
repetitive handwashing. These repetitive behaviors are known as:
A) Delusions.
B) Hallucinations.
C) Obsessions.
D) Compulsions.
E) Tics.
Correct Answer: D) Compulsions.
Rationale: Compulsions are repetitive behaviors or mental acts that
an individual feels driven to perform in response to an obsession or
according to rigid rules, aimed at reducing distress or preventing a
feared event.
Question 7
Which defense mechanism involves unconsciously transferring unacceptable
thoughts or feelings onto another person?
A) Rationalization.
B) Sublimation.
C) Projection.
D) Repression.
E) Displacement.
Correct Answer: C) Projection.
Rationale: Projection is an unconscious defense mechanism where
an individual attributes their own unacceptable thoughts, feelings,
or impulses to another person.
, Question 8
A client presents with a persistent preoccupation with a perceived defect in
their physical appearance, which is not observable or appears slight to
others. This causes significant distress and impairment. This is most
consistent with:
A) Anorexia Nervosa.
B) Social Anxiety Disorder.
C) Body Dysmorphic Disorder.
D) Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD).
E) Conversion Disorder.
Correct Answer: C) Body Dysmorphic Disorder.
Rationale: Body Dysmorphic Disorder is characterized by a
preoccupation with imagined or slight defects in appearance,
leading to repetitive behaviors (e.g., mirror checking) and
significant distress.
Question 9
Which medication class is considered first-line for the long-term treatment of
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)?
A) Benzodiazepines.
B) Antipsychotics.
C) Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs).
D) Beta-blockers.
E) Mood stabilizers.
Correct Answer: C) Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs).
Rationale: SSRIs (e.g., escitalopram, sertraline, paroxetine) are
typically recommended as first-line agents for long-term
management of GAD due to their efficacy and lower risk of
dependence compared to benzodiazepines.
Question 10
A client with Schizophrenia states, "The government is spying on me through
