MD Psychiatry and Behavioral Science 3

Question 1

A 28-year-old man spends 3 hours daily washing his hands due to contamination fears and recognizes the behavior as excessive and irrational. What is the first-line treatment?

Accepted Answer

CBT with exposure and response prevention plus an SSRI

Answer

OCD is best treated with a combination of cognitive-behavioral therapy (specifically exposure and response prevention) and SSRIs, which together are the evidence-based first-line approach.

Question 2

Which of the following is a core diagnostic feature required for a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) according to DSM-5?

Accepted Answer

Persistent deficits in social communication and restricted, repetitive behaviors

Answer

ASD is defined by two core symptom domains: persistent deficits in social communication/interaction and restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior or interests, present from early developmental periods.

Question 3

A 55-year-old woman lost her husband 4 months ago. She feels sad and misses him but still enjoys family gatherings, functions at work, and has no hopelessness or suicidal ideation. What is the most accurate diagnosis?

Accepted Answer

Normal bereavement

Answer

Normal bereavement involves grief and sadness after a loss but preserved capacity for positive experiences and function, without the pervasive hopelessness or neurovegetative symptoms that define major depression.

Question 4

Which mechanism best describes how selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) exert their antidepressant effect?

Accepted Answer

Inhibit the serotonin transporter at the presynaptic terminal, increasing synaptic serotonin concentration

Answer

SSRIs selectively inhibit the serotonin transporter (SERT) at the presynaptic terminal, preventing serotonin reuptake and thereby increasing serotonin concentration in the synaptic cleft.

Question 5

A 6-year-old girl refuses to go to school because of excessive worry that something bad will happen to her mother while she is away. She has had nightmares about losing her mother. These symptoms have persisted for 5 weeks. What is the most likely diagnosis?

Accepted Answer

Separation Anxiety Disorder

Answer

Separation anxiety disorder is characterized by excessive, developmentally inappropriate fear about separation from attachment figures, often manifesting as school refusal, somatic complaints, and nightmares about separation.

MD - Doctor of Medicine Practice Test

MD - Doctor of Medicine Practice Test

MD Psychiatry and Behavioral Science 3