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Quizzes > Health & Medicine

Psychiatry quiz for medical students: clinical MCQs

Quick, free clinical psychiatry quiz to test your knowledge. Instant results.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Sruthy BabuUpdated Aug 25, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
Questions: 20
Learning OutcomesStudy Material
Colorful paper art featuring symbols related to Clinical Psychiatry Knowledge Quiz.

This clinical psychiatry quiz helps you practice diagnosis, risk assessment, and treatment choices with 15 MCQs. Check your understanding before exams or clinic, and get instant results to guide your review. For more practice, try the clinical psychology quiz, the psychiatric nursing quiz, or the internal medicine quiz.

According to DSM-5, how long must symptoms persist for a diagnosis of major depressive disorder?
At least 1 week
At least 1 month
At least 6 months
At least 2 weeks
DSM-5 requires at least five depressive symptoms present during the same two-week period. The minimum duration for a major depressive episode is thus two weeks. This criterion distinguishes MDD from brief mood fluctuations.
Which medication is a first-line SSRI for treating major depressive disorder?
Amitriptyline
Sertraline
Bupropion
Diazepam
SSRIs are first-line treatments for major depressive disorder due to their favorable efficacy and safety profile. Sertraline is a commonly prescribed SSRI with fewer drug interactions. Other options like tricyclics or benzodiazepines are not first-line for depression.
In a mental status examination, which assessment evaluates orientation to person, place, and time?
Orientation
Affect
Thought Content
Grooming and Dress
Orientation assesses awareness of self, place, and time in the mental status exam. It indicates cognitive clarity and the level of consciousness. Affect and thought content evaluate mood and ideas rather than orientation.
What is the minimum duration required for a diagnosis of generalized anxiety disorder according to DSM-5?
1 month
12 months
6 months
3 months
DSM-5 specifies that generalized anxiety disorder requires excessive anxiety and worry on most days for at least six months. Shorter durations do not meet the diagnostic threshold. This criterion differentiates GAD from transient stress reactions.
Which symptom is characteristic of a manic episode?
Increased appetite
Bradykinesia
Memory loss
Decreased need for sleep
A decreased need for sleep is a hallmark symptom of mania, reflecting increased energy and arousal. Patients may feel rested after only a few hours of sleep without fatigue. This helps distinguish mania from other mood states.
A patient reports a two-week history of depressed mood, anhedonia, significant weight loss, and insomnia. Which diagnosis is most likely?
Adjustment Disorder
Dysthymia
Cyclothymia
Major Depressive Disorder
DSM-5 criteria for MDD require at least five symptoms during a two-week period, including depressed mood or anhedonia. The patient's weight loss and insomnia further support this diagnosis. Adjustment disorder and dysthymia have different durations or symptom counts.
What key feature distinguishes generalized anxiety disorder from other anxiety disorders?
Repetitive compulsions
Recurring obsessions
Sudden onset of intense fear
Excessive worry about multiple events
Generalized anxiety disorder is characterized by pervasive and excessive worry across multiple domains for at least six months. Panic disorder involves sudden intense fear, while obsessions and compulsions define OCD. The key distinguishing feature in GAD is the breadth and persistence of worry.
Which adverse effect is most commonly associated with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors?
Sexual dysfunction
Sedation
Weight loss
Hypotension
SSRIs frequently cause sexual dysfunction such as decreased libido, anorgasmia, and erectile difficulties. These side effects result from enhanced serotonergic activity affecting sexual function. They are among the most common reasons for treatment discontinuation.
When prescribing lithium, which laboratory tests are essential for ongoing monitoring?
Liver enzymes and bilirubin
Complete blood count
Fasting glucose
Thyroid function and renal function
Lithium therapy requires regular monitoring of thyroid-stimulating hormone and serum creatinine due to risks of hypothyroidism and renal impairment. Early detection of lab abnormalities allows dose adjustments and prevents toxicity. Liver enzymes and glucose are not directly impacted by lithium.
Which description best characterizes a hallucination?
A sensory perception without external stimulus
A fixed false belief resistant to reason
An intrusive unwanted thought
A repetitive ritual behavior
Hallucinations are sensory perceptions that occur without external stimuli and can involve any sensory modality. They differ from delusions, which are fixed false beliefs, and from obsessions or compulsions seen in OCD. Recognizing these distinctions guides accurate diagnosis.
Which criterion is required for a diagnosis of panic disorder?
Recurrent unexpected panic attacks and worry about future attacks
Recurrent obsessions and compulsions
Chronic excessive anxiety for at least 6 months
Persistent auditory hallucinations
Panic disorder involves recurrent unexpected panic attacks and persistent concern about future attacks or their implications. It does not require chronic anxiety over six months or the presence of obsessions. This distinguishes it from GAD and OCD.
What defines obsessive-compulsive disorder in DSM-5?
Persistent depressive mood for over 2 weeks
At least two manic episodes
Multiple panic attacks per month
Presence of time-consuming obsessions or compulsions
Obsessive-compulsive disorder requires the presence of obsessions, compulsions, or both that are time-consuming or cause significant distress. The behavior must be excessive and not better explained by other disorders. Mood disorders involve different symptom patterns.
Which factor is considered the strongest predictor of future suicide attempts?
Presence of auditory hallucinations
Early childhood trauma
History of previous suicide attempt
Family history of anxiety disorders
A history of a previous suicide attempt is the strongest predictor of future attempts, outweighing other risk factors. While family history or early trauma contributes to risk, prior attempts carry the highest statistical association. Assessment should prioritize this factor.
Which medication is recommended as a first-line treatment for acute manic episodes?
Lithium
Sertraline
Diazepam
Fluoxetine
Lithium is a first-line mood stabilizer for acute manic episodes due to its proven efficacy and long-term benefits. Other options like antidepressants or benzodiazepines are not primary treatments for mania. Early initiation of lithium can reduce hospitalization rates.
Which symptom is classified as a negative symptom of schizophrenia?
Delusional guilt
Affective flattening
Auditory hallucinations
Thought insertion
Affective flattening, characterized by diminished emotional expression, is a core negative symptom of schizophrenia. Positive symptoms include hallucinations, delusions, and thought insertion. Recognizing negative symptoms assists in prognosis and treatment planning.
Which clinical feature helps differentiate schizoaffective disorder from major depressive disorder with psychotic features?
Improvement of psychosis with mood stabilization
History of panic attacks during psychosis
Presence of psychotic symptoms in the absence of mood episodes
Duration of depressive episodes longer than 2 weeks
In schizoaffective disorder, psychotic symptoms occur during periods without mood episodes, distinguishing it from mood disorders with psychotic features. Major depressive disorder with psychosis has psychotic features only during mood episodes. This temporal relationship guides diagnosis.
Clozapine is reserved for treatment-resistant schizophrenia primarily because of the risk of which serious adverse effect?
Tardive dyskinesia
Neuroleptic malignant syndrome
Agranulocytosis
QT prolongation
Clozapine is reserved for treatment-resistant schizophrenia due to its risk of agranulocytosis, which can be life-threatening. Regular blood monitoring is mandatory to detect leukopenia early. Other antipsychotics carry lower hematologic risk profiles.
How does hoarding disorder differ from obsessive-compulsive disorder?
Hoarding disorder often involves poor insight into the behavior
Hoarding features pervasive guilt
Hoarding involves manic episodes
Hoarding is driven by panic attacks
Hoarding disorder is characterized by persistent difficulty discarding possessions and often involves poor insight into the problematic nature of the behavior. OCD typically engenders higher insight and distress about symptoms. This insight difference is key in differential diagnosis.
Which feature most reliably distinguishes major depressive disorder from normal bereavement?
Transient symptoms improving in 2 weeks
Preoccupation with guilt about the death
Yearning for the deceased
Persistent suicidal ideation beyond cultural norms
While grief can involve sadness, longing, and guilt, persistent suicidal ideation beyond cultural norms strongly indicates major depressive disorder. Bereavement rarely includes pervasive thoughts of death as a solution. Duration and intensity of self-harm thoughts aid differentiation.
What is the mechanism underlying lithium-induced nephrogenic diabetes insipidus?
Inhibition of sodium channel in collecting duct
Renal resistance to antidiuretic hormone
Increased aldosterone secretion
Blockade of aquaporin-2 gene transcription
Lithium-induced nephrogenic diabetes insipidus results from resistance of the renal collecting ducts to antidiuretic hormone. This leads to impaired water reabsorption and polyuria. Other mechanisms like increased aldosterone are not primarily involved.
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Learning Outcomes

  1. Identify DSM-5 criteria for major psychiatric disorders
  2. Analyse clinical case vignettes to determine accurate diagnoses
  3. Apply psychopharmacology principles to treatment planning
  4. Evaluate risk factors and management strategies for mental health conditions
  5. Demonstrate effective mental status examinations in patient assessments
  6. Master differential diagnoses of mood and anxiety disorders

Cheat Sheet

  1. Master DSM-5 Criteria for Major Depressive Disorder - Crack the code by exploring why at least five symptoms, including depressed mood or anhedonia, must persist for two weeks to earn this diagnosis. It's like piecing together a puzzle where each clue matters.
  2. Spot Schizophrenia's Signature Signs - Become a detective of the mind by identifying delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech, bizarre behaviors, and negative symptoms. Understanding these five pillars equips you to navigate the complexities of human perception.
  3. Explore DSM-5's Disorder Categories - Take a whirlwind tour through neurodevelopmental disorders, schizophrenia spectrum, bipolar disorders, depressive disorders, and anxiety disorders. Knowing where each condition lives helps you map the vast landscape of mental health.
  4. Decode Borderline Personality Disorder - Unpack patterns of unstable relationships, a shifting self-image, emotional rollercoasters, and impulsive behaviors. Pinpointing these features can feel like reading an intricate human novel.
  5. Nail Substance Use Disorder Criteria - Follow the trail of substance use patterns that lead to distress or impairment, such as cravings, failed quit attempts, or risky behaviors. This knowledge is your toolkit for understanding addiction's grip.
  6. Practice with Clinical Case Vignettes - Sharpen your diagnostic skills by walking through patient stories and spotting key symptoms and durations. These mini-mysteries prepare you for real-world clinical sleuthing. Clinical Case Vignettes
  7. Review Psychopharmacology Basics - Delve into how medications act on the brain, their intended uses, and possible side effects. It's like discovering how different tools in a toolbox can tune the mind's orchestra.
  8. Evaluate Mental Health Risk Factors - Weigh genetics, environmental stressors, and personal history to predict and prevent mental health challenges. Understanding these risk elements is akin to building a safety net for well-being. Risk Factors in Mental Health
  9. Master the Mental Status Examination - Learn to assess appearance, behavior, speech, mood, thought process, and cognition like a pro. This exam is your fingerprint for capturing a snapshot of someone's mental world. Mental Status Examination Guide
  10. Hone Differential Diagnosis Skills - Compare mood and anxiety disorder profiles, onset patterns, and courses to tell them apart accurately. It's like matching fingerprints: precision is everything. Differential Diagnosis Techniques
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