Psychiatry and Behavioral Science Flashcards
7 cards from real Physician Assistant practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Psychiatry and Behavioral Science flashcards as text
Which is the strongest single predictor of eventual completed suicide?
Answer: Previous suicide attempt
A prior suicide attempt is the strongest individual predictor of future completed suicide.
A patient with minimal or no physical symptoms is persistently convinced she has cancer despite repeated negative workups. What is the most likely diagnosis?
Answer: Illness anxiety disorder
Preoccupation with having a serious illness despite minimal somatic symptoms defines illness anxiety disorder.
A nurse repeatedly injects herself with insulin to cause hypoglycemia and be admitted, with no financial or legal gain. What is the diagnosis?
Answer: Factitious disorder imposed on self
Intentionally producing symptoms to assume the sick role without external incentive is factitious disorder.
After being criticized by his boss, a man comes home and yells at his children. Which defense mechanism is this?
Answer: Displacement
Displacement redirects emotions from their original source to a safer target.
A smoker says, "I know I should quit and I'm thinking about it, but I'm not ready to set a date." Which stage of change is this?
Answer: Contemplation
Acknowledging the problem and considering change without committing to a plan is the contemplation stage.
What is the first-line pharmacologic treatment for long-term management of panic disorder?
Answer: Sertraline
SSRIs such as sertraline are first-line maintenance therapy for panic disorder, while benzodiazepines are reserved for short-term use.
What is the first-line psychotherapy for obsessive-compulsive disorder?
Answer: Exposure and response prevention
Exposure and response prevention, a form of CBT, is the most effective psychotherapy for OCD.
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