Psychiatry

The following are examples of items that you would

find in a multiple-choice question (MCQ) exam.
Model answers are included for your information.

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 Psychiatry

Instructions
Answer sheets

1. Please ensure that your name and identification number are correctly recorded at the top of your
answer sheet.
2. Use only the pencil provided to mark the answer sheet. Do not use ink.
3. To indicate a correct answer, blacken the appropriate oval with your pencil. Please note that the
mark you make must be definite and black; if not, the optical scanner may not sense it.

Please note that these answer sheets are marked by optical scanner.

Do NOT cross out an incorrect answer, it must be erased.

Do NOT mark the answer sheet anywhere except in the answer ovals.

All pencil marks on the answer sheet are picked up by the scanner, which rejects sheets with extra or
improperly placed markings. Any question having more than one oval blackened is rejected.

NOTE: It is to your advantage to answer every question even if you are not satisfied that you know the correct
answer. You are advised not to mark your answers in the examination booklet with the intention of transferring
them later to the answer sheet. Only answers recorded on the answer sheet will be scored. You will not be given
extra time to record or transfer answers from the examination booklet to the answer sheet. It is also suggested
that you start to answer the questions at once rather than try to read through the paper first and then start
recording your answers; otherwise you may run out of time.
 Psychiatry

Example

All questions have a stem and four options, only one of which is considered to be the CORRECT answer.

Question

This is a stem.
1.
2.
3.
4.

The correct answer is number 3, and should be marked on your answer sheet as follows:

MARK ONLY ONE OVAL FOR EACH QUESTION

 Psychiatry

Question 1
A 27-year-old woman presents with hypersomnia (sleeps approximately 15 hours per day) and hyperphagia (has
gained 6 kg). She is feeling discouraged and disinterested, and reports a lack of energy. She has recently been
thinking about death. Although she felt able to “conquer the world” 2 months ago, she now feels lost and
confused. Previously, she had 2 jobs and was training for a marathon. She was convinced she would make it to
the Olympics, given that she required only 4 hours of sleep to recuperate. What agent would MOST likely stabilize
her current condition?
1. Quetiapine
2. Divalproex
3. Bupropion
4. Pramipexole

Answer 1
The correct answer is 1. Quetiapine

Question 2
In which of the following sites is dopamine found in HIGHEST concentration?
1. Reticular formation
2. Internal capsule
3. Caudate nucleus
4. Amygdala

Answer 2
The correct answer is 3. Caudate nucleus.

Question 3
A 55-year-old man presents with suicidal ideation. He tells you that he "was just laid off from his job" after only 3
months, and that his 3 children "want nothing to do with him" because he "wasn't really involved in their
childhoods". He feels hopeless and useless. Which of Erikson's stages describes this man's difficulties?
1. Ego integrity versus despair
2. Generativity versus stagnation
3. Identity versus role confusion
4. Intimacy versus isolation

Answer 3
The correct answer is 2. Generativity versus stagnation.
 Psychiatry

Question 4
A 42-year-old man with no previous psychiatric history is brought to the emergency department by the police
after a car chase. The police report that the patient believed he was being chased by special agents whose voices
he heard on his Citizens' Band radio. The patient admits to being a heavy drinker of beverage alcohol. On
examination, he is found to be somewhat agitated and suspicious, but shows no memory deficit and is well
oriented to time, place, and person. There is no neurologic deficit seen on physical examination. What is the
MOST probable diagnosis?
1. Paranoid schizophrenia
2. Paranoia (delusional disorder)
3. Alcoholic hallucinosis
4. Delirium tremens

Answer 4
The correct answer is 3. Alcoholic hallucinosis

Question 5
Which of the following states is MOST closely related to catatonic excitement?
1. Catalepsy
2. Stereotypies
3. Automatisms
4. Mania

Answer 5
The correct answer is 4. Mania.

Before you leave the room, please return your examination booklet and your answer sheet
End SEPARATELY to the invigilator.