Psychiatry and Behavioral Science Flashcards

A 24-year-old has had hallucinations and disorganized speech for 3 months with no mood episodes or substance use. What is the most likely diagnosis?

Answer: Schizophreniform disorder

Schizophrenia-like symptoms lasting 1 to 6 months meet criteria for schizophreniform disorder.

Two weeks after an assault, a woman has nightmares, flashbacks, avoidance, and hypervigilance. What is the most appropriate diagnosis?

Answer: Acute stress disorder

Trauma-related symptoms lasting 3 days to 1 month are classified as acute stress disorder.

A patient has had recurrent major depressive episodes and one 5-day period of elevated mood and decreased need for sleep without impairment or hospitalization. What is the diagnosis?

Answer: Bipolar II disorder

Hypomania plus at least one major depressive episode, without any full manic episode, defines bipolar II disorder.

What is the minimum symptom duration required for a diagnosis of generalized anxiety disorder?

Answer: 6 months

GAD requires excessive worry occurring more days than not for at least 6 months.

Which psychotherapy has the strongest evidence for reducing self-harm in borderline personality disorder?

Answer: Dialectical behavior therapy

Dialectical behavior therapy is the best-studied first-line treatment for borderline personality disorder and reduces self-harm.

A hospitalized patient with severe anorexia nervosa develops heart failure and weakness 3 days after starting nutritional rehabilitation. Which electrolyte abnormality is most characteristic?

Answer: Hypophosphatemia

Refeeding syndrome is hallmarked by hypophosphatemia as insulin drives phosphate into cells.

An 80-year-old postoperative patient has acute-onset confusion that fluctuates during the day with marked inattention. What is the most likely diagnosis?

Answer: Delirium

Acute onset, fluctuating course, and impaired attention are hallmarks of delirium.