Psychiatric Assessment and Diagnosis: Master the Art of Psychiatric Evaluation

Question 1

What is the primary goal of the mental status examination (MSE)?

Accepted Answer

To provide a comprehensive assessment of an individual's current mental state

Answer

To diagnose specific psychiatric disorders

Answer

To establish a baseline for future comparisons

Answer

To predict future behavior

Question 2

Which of the following is a characteristic of delusions?

Accepted Answer

False beliefs held with conviction despite contradictory evidence

Answer

Exaggerated or distorted beliefs about oneself or others

Answer

Difficulty distinguishing between reality and imagination

Answer

Misperceptions of sensory stimuli

Question 3

Which diagnostic system is primarily used in psychiatric practice in the United Kingdom?

Accepted Answer

International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10)

Answer

Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5)

Answer

World Health Organization Classification of Diseases (WHO-ICD)

Answer

American Psychiatric Association Diagnostic Manual (APA-DSM)

Question 4

Which type of dementia is most common among older adults?

Accepted Answer

Alzheimer's disease

Answer

Vascular dementia

Answer

Parkinson's disease

Answer

Lewy body dementia

Question 5

Which section of the mental status examination assesses the patient's emotional state?

Accepted Answer

Mood and affect

Answer

Appearance and behaviour

Answer

Cognition

Answer

Perception

Question 6

According to the DSM-5, which specifier is applicable to a diagnosis of schizophrenia when symptoms significantly worsen?

Accepted Answer

With acute exacerbation

Answer

With catatonic features

Answer

With mood incongruent psychotic features

Answer

With disorganized speech

Question 7

Which of the following is NOT a primary characteristic of depression?

Accepted Answer

Increased appetite

Answer

Anhedonia

Answer

Fatigue

Answer

Psychomotor retardation

Question 8

Which of the following is a negative symptom of schizophrenia?

Accepted Answer

Avolition

Answer

Hallucinations

Answer

Delusions

Answer

Agitation

Question 9

What is the primary function of a mental health risk assessment?

Accepted Answer

To identify potential risks to the patient or others

Answer

To formulate a treatment plan

Answer

To assess the patient's level of functioning

Answer

To establish a diagnosis

Question 10

Which of the following diagnostic criteria is typically used for diagnosing mental disorders?

Accepted Answer

Both DSM-5 and ICD-10

Answer

DSM-5

Answer

ICD-10

Answer

Neither DSM-5 nor ICD-10

Question 11

Which of the following is NOT a symptom associated with bipolar disorder?

Accepted Answer

Hallucinations

Answer

Mania

Answer

Depression

Answer

Anxiety

Question 12

Which of the following best describes the key psychometric properties of the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II)?

Accepted Answer

High reliability and high validity

Answer

High reliability and low validity

Answer

Low reliability and low validity

Question 13

What is the standardized sequence of steps in a mental status examination?

Accepted Answer

Appearance, behavior, speech, mood, affect

Answer

Mood, affect, speech, behavior, appearance

Answer

Behavior, appearance, mood, affect, speech

Answer

Speech, affect, behavior, mood, appearance

Question 14

Which diagnostic system are mental health professionals in the UK most likely to use?

Accepted Answer

Both DSM-5 and ICD-11

Answer

Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5)

Answer

International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11)

Answer

Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPG)

Question 15

What is the primary aim of a differential diagnosis?

Accepted Answer

To pinpoint the most probable diagnosis

Answer

To identify every possible diagnosis

Answer

To exclude physical causes of psychiatric symptoms

Answer

To reach a definitive diagnosis

Question 16

Which of the following is not characteristic of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)?

Accepted Answer

Hallucinations

Answer

Intrusive and persistent thoughts

Answer

Repeated ritualistic behaviors

Answer

Disruption of social or occupational functioning

Question 17

Worldwide, which type of anxiety disorder is the most common?

Accepted Answer

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)

Answer

Panic disorder

Answer

Phobia-related disorder

Answer

Social anxiety disorder

Question 18

Which treatment approach is typically the first line of therapy for mood disorders like depression?

Accepted Answer

A combination of the above

Answer

Pharmacological interventions

Answer

Psychotherapeutic interventions

Answer

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)

Question 19

Which is a core symptom of depression?

Accepted Answer

Anhedonia

Answer

Suicidal thoughts

Answer

Racing thoughts

Answer

Grandiose delusions

Question 20

In psychiatry, what is the term for a set of symptoms that commonly occur together, defining a particular disorder?

Accepted Answer

Syndrome

Answer

Constellation

Answer

Pattern

Answer

Dyad

Question 21

A 25-year-old patient presents with severe anxiety and panic attacks. During the mental status examination, you observe that he is constantly fidgeting, his speech is rapid and pressured, and he has difficulty maintaining eye contact. Which of the following is the most likely finding on the mental status examination?

Accepted Answer

Agitation

Answer

Apathy

Answer

Depersonalization

Answer

Grandiosity

Question 22

A 30-year-old patient presents with delusions of grandeur and disorganized speech. Which of the following diagnoses is most likely?

Accepted Answer

Schizophrenia

Answer

Major Depressive Disorder

Answer

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Answer

Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Question 23

A patient reports a history of recurrent episodes of intense fear and anxiety, accompanied by physical symptoms like palpitations, sweating, and dizziness. These episodes are often triggered by specific situations, such as public speaking or social gatherings. Which of the following diagnoses is most likely?

Accepted Answer

Social Anxiety Disorder

Answer

Panic Disorder

Answer

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Answer

Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Question 24

During a mental status examination, you observe that a patient is unable to recall recent events but can remember details from their childhood. This suggests a potential impairment in which cognitive domain?

Accepted Answer

Memory

Answer

Attention

Answer

Language

Answer

Judgment

Question 25

A patient describes feeling constantly worried and anxious, even about minor things. They report difficulty concentrating, sleep disturbances, and muscle tension. These symptoms have been present for at least six months. Which of the following diagnoses is most likely?

Accepted Answer

Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Answer

Panic Disorder

Answer

Post-traumatic Stress Disorder

Answer

Social Anxiety Disorder

Question 26

When interviewing a patient, it is important to establish rapport. Which of the following communication techniques is LEAST likely to foster rapport?

Accepted Answer

Interrupting the patient frequently to clarify information

Answer

Active listening and reflecting on the patient's feelings

Answer

Using open-ended questions to encourage elaboration

Question 27

A patient reports experiencing intrusive thoughts about contamination. These thoughts are followed by repetitive behaviors, such as handwashing, to alleviate the anxiety they cause. Which of the following diagnoses is most likely?

Accepted Answer

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Answer

Post-traumatic Stress Disorder

Answer

Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Answer

Social Anxiety Disorder

Question 28

A patient with a history of trauma reports experiencing flashbacks, nightmares, and avoidance of situations that remind them of the traumatic event. These symptoms have been present for over a month. Which of the following diagnoses is most likely?

Accepted Answer

Post-traumatic Stress Disorder

Answer

Social Anxiety Disorder

Answer

Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Answer

Panic Disorder