PLAB Psychiatry & Mental Health

Question 1

A 28-year-old presents with persistent low mood, anhedonia, disturbed sleep, and poor concentration lasting 3 months. Which diagnosis is most likely?

Accepted Answer

Major depressive disorder

Answer

Major depressive disorder requires depressed mood or anhedonia plus at least four additional symptoms persisting for a minimum of two weeks.

Question 2

A 45-year-old with schizophrenia on haloperidol for 3 years develops involuntary repetitive movements of the mouth and tongue. What is the most likely diagnosis?

Accepted Answer

Tardive dyskinesia

Answer

Tardive dyskinesia is a late-onset movement disorder caused by prolonged antipsychotic use, characteristically involving orofacial repetitive movements.

Question 3

A 19-year-old male presents with auditory hallucinations, delusions of persecution, and social withdrawal for 6 months. What is the most appropriate first-line pharmacological treatment?

Accepted Answer

Risperidone

Answer

Atypical antipsychotics such as risperidone are recommended as first-line pharmacological treatment for schizophrenia.

Question 4

Which feature most clearly distinguishes a manic episode from a hypomanic episode in bipolar disorder?

Accepted Answer

Marked functional impairment or need for hospitalization

Answer

Mania, unlike hypomania, causes marked functional impairment, may require hospitalization, and can include psychotic features.

Question 5

A 32-year-old woman presents with recurrent binge eating followed by self-induced vomiting. Her BMI is 22. What is the most likely diagnosis?

Accepted Answer

Bulimia nervosa

Answer

Bulimia nervosa is characterized by recurrent binge-purge cycles with a normal or near-normal BMI, distinguishing it from anorexia nervosa.

PLAB - Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board Practice Test

PLAB - Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board Practice Test

PLAB Psychiatry & Mental Health