NR 605 – FINAL EXAM DIAGNOSIS &
MANAGEMENT IN PSYCHIATRIC MENTAL
HEALTH ACROSS THE LIFESPAN QUESTIONS
AND VERIFIED ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES
GRADED A+ LATEST
1.
A 7-year-old child presents with inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity
occurring at home and school for over 12 months. Symptoms began at age 4.
Which diagnosis is most appropriate?
A. Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder
B. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder
C. Oppositional defiant disorder
D. Autism spectrum disorder
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: ADHD requires symptoms before age 12, persistence for ≥6 months,
and impairment in two or more settings. The presentation meets DSM-5-TR
criteria.
2.
Which medication is considered first-line for childhood ADHD in the absence of
contraindications?
A. Atomoxetine
B. Guanfacine
C. Methylphenidate
D. Bupropion
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Stimulants (methylphenidate or amphetamines) are first-line due to the
strongest evidence for symptom reduction.
,3.
A 16-year-old presents with episodes of elevated mood, decreased need for sleep,
pressured speech, and risky behavior lasting 6 days. There is no history of major
depressive episodes. Which diagnosis is most accurate?
A. Bipolar I disorder
B. Bipolar II disorder
C. Cyclothymic disorder
D. Substance-induced mood disorder
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A manic episode lasting at least 1 week (or requiring hospitalization)
qualifies for Bipolar I; adolescents may present with slightly shorter but severe
episodes.
4.
Which medication should be avoided as monotherapy in patients with bipolar
disorder?
A. Lithium
B. Valproate
C. Quetiapine
D. Sertraline
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Antidepressant monotherapy can precipitate mania or rapid cycling in
bipolar disorder.
,5.
A 45-year-old patient reports excessive worry occurring more days than not for
over 8 months, muscle tension, irritability, and sleep disturbance. Which diagnosis
best fits?
A. Panic disorder
B. Generalized anxiety disorder
C. Adjustment disorder
D. Obsessive-compulsive disorder
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: GAD is characterized by excessive worry for at least 6 months with
associated physical symptoms.
6.
Which medication is most appropriate as first-line pharmacologic treatment for
generalized anxiety disorder?
A. Alprazolam
B. Buspirone
C. Sertraline
D. Propranolol
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: SSRIs are first-line for GAD due to efficacy and safety.
Benzodiazepines are not first-line due to dependence risk.
7.
A patient experiences recurrent, unexpected panic attacks followed by persistent
concern about additional attacks. Which diagnosis is most appropriate?
A. Social anxiety disorder
B. Panic disorder
, C. Acute stress disorder
D. Posttraumatic stress disorder
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Panic disorder includes recurrent panic attacks with behavioral or
cognitive changes related to fear of recurrence.
8.
Which symptom is most specific to posttraumatic stress disorder?
A. Excessive worry
B. Flashbacks
C. Anhedonia
D. Psychomotor agitation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Flashbacks and re-experiencing symptoms are hallmark features of
PTSD.
9.
A 32-year-old presents with intrusive thoughts about contamination and repetitive
handwashing rituals. The patient recognizes these thoughts as unreasonable. Which
diagnosis is most likely?
A. Delusional disorder
B. Obsessive-compulsive disorder
C. Illness anxiety disorder
D. Generalized anxiety disorder
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: OCD involves obsessions and compulsions with insight into the
irrational nature of behaviors.
MANAGEMENT IN PSYCHIATRIC MENTAL
HEALTH ACROSS THE LIFESPAN QUESTIONS
AND VERIFIED ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES
GRADED A+ LATEST
1.
A 7-year-old child presents with inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity
occurring at home and school for over 12 months. Symptoms began at age 4.
Which diagnosis is most appropriate?
A. Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder
B. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder
C. Oppositional defiant disorder
D. Autism spectrum disorder
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: ADHD requires symptoms before age 12, persistence for ≥6 months,
and impairment in two or more settings. The presentation meets DSM-5-TR
criteria.
2.
Which medication is considered first-line for childhood ADHD in the absence of
contraindications?
A. Atomoxetine
B. Guanfacine
C. Methylphenidate
D. Bupropion
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Stimulants (methylphenidate or amphetamines) are first-line due to the
strongest evidence for symptom reduction.
,3.
A 16-year-old presents with episodes of elevated mood, decreased need for sleep,
pressured speech, and risky behavior lasting 6 days. There is no history of major
depressive episodes. Which diagnosis is most accurate?
A. Bipolar I disorder
B. Bipolar II disorder
C. Cyclothymic disorder
D. Substance-induced mood disorder
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A manic episode lasting at least 1 week (or requiring hospitalization)
qualifies for Bipolar I; adolescents may present with slightly shorter but severe
episodes.
4.
Which medication should be avoided as monotherapy in patients with bipolar
disorder?
A. Lithium
B. Valproate
C. Quetiapine
D. Sertraline
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Antidepressant monotherapy can precipitate mania or rapid cycling in
bipolar disorder.
,5.
A 45-year-old patient reports excessive worry occurring more days than not for
over 8 months, muscle tension, irritability, and sleep disturbance. Which diagnosis
best fits?
A. Panic disorder
B. Generalized anxiety disorder
C. Adjustment disorder
D. Obsessive-compulsive disorder
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: GAD is characterized by excessive worry for at least 6 months with
associated physical symptoms.
6.
Which medication is most appropriate as first-line pharmacologic treatment for
generalized anxiety disorder?
A. Alprazolam
B. Buspirone
C. Sertraline
D. Propranolol
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: SSRIs are first-line for GAD due to efficacy and safety.
Benzodiazepines are not first-line due to dependence risk.
7.
A patient experiences recurrent, unexpected panic attacks followed by persistent
concern about additional attacks. Which diagnosis is most appropriate?
A. Social anxiety disorder
B. Panic disorder
, C. Acute stress disorder
D. Posttraumatic stress disorder
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Panic disorder includes recurrent panic attacks with behavioral or
cognitive changes related to fear of recurrence.
8.
Which symptom is most specific to posttraumatic stress disorder?
A. Excessive worry
B. Flashbacks
C. Anhedonia
D. Psychomotor agitation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Flashbacks and re-experiencing symptoms are hallmark features of
PTSD.
9.
A 32-year-old presents with intrusive thoughts about contamination and repetitive
handwashing rituals. The patient recognizes these thoughts as unreasonable. Which
diagnosis is most likely?
A. Delusional disorder
B. Obsessive-compulsive disorder
C. Illness anxiety disorder
D. Generalized anxiety disorder
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: OCD involves obsessions and compulsions with insight into the
irrational nature of behaviors.
