Anxiety — MCQs

A 38-year-old woman presents with anxiety. She says that, for as long as she can remember, she has been anxious, especially when at work or in social situations, which she has difficulty controlling. She also reports difficulty sleeping, irritability, and muscle tension. She says her symptoms have significantly limited her work and personal relationships. She has no other significant past medical history. The patient denies any history of smoking, alcohol consumption or recreational drug use. She is afebrile, and her vitals signs are within normal limits. A physical examination is unremarkable. Which of the following medications would be the most appropriate first-line treatment for this patient’s most likely diagnosis?

A 20-year-old man comes to the physician because he believes he has low testosterone. He states that he is embarrassed at his lack of musculature, despite lifting weights twice daily. Every day, he drinks a gallon of milk and several protein shakes in addition to 3 large meals. He is convinced that his female classmates at the community college he attends are secretly laughing at his scrawny appearance. Over the course of the semester, he has attended fewer and fewer classes out of embarrassment and shame. He is also concerned that his hair is thinning and applies topical minoxidil to his scalp 3 times daily. He spends 2 hours daily anxiously examining himself in the mirror. Today, he is wearing a long-sleeved shirt and a hat. His BMI is 26 kg/m2. Physical examination shows no abnormalities. On mental status examination, he has an anxious mood and a full range of affect. Serum studies show a normal testosterone concentration. Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?

A 35-year-old woman presents to the emergency department multiple times over the past 3 months feeling like her chest is about to explode. She has been screened on several occasions for acute coronary syndrome, but each time, her cardiac enzymes have all been within normal limits. She comes into the emergency room diaphoretic, short of breath, and complaining of chest pain. Her symptoms usually resolve within 30 minutes, but she is left with a lingering fear for the next attack. She does not know of any triggers for these episodes. After medical causes are ruled out, the patient is referred to outpatient psychiatry to confirm her most likely diagnosis. Which one of the following is correct regarding this patient’s most likely condition?

A 24-year-old woman is brought to the physician for the evaluation of fatigue for the past 6 months. During this period, she has had recurrent episodes of constipation and diarrhea. She also reports frequent nausea and palpitations. She works as a nurse at a local hospital. She has tried cognitive behavioral therapy, but her symptoms have not improved. Her mother has hypothyroidism. The patient is 170 cm (5 ft 7 in) tall and weighs 62 kg (137 lb); BMI is 21.5 kg/m2. She appears pale. Vital signs are within normal limits. Examination shows calluses on the knuckles and bilateral parotid gland enlargement. Oropharyngeal examination shows eroded dental enamel and decalcified teeth. The remainder of the examination shows no abnormalities. Which of the following is the most appropriate next step in management?

A 30-year-old man presents to his family physician admitting to using heroin. He says he started using about 6-months ago when his back pain medication ran out. At first, he says he would borrow his wife’s Percocet but, eventually, that ran out and he had to find a different source. Since then, he has been having more and more issues related to his heroin use, and it has started to affect his work and home life. He is concerned that, if he continues like this, he might end up in real trouble. He denies sharing needles and is sincerely interested in quitting. He recalls trying to quit last month but recounts how horrible the withdrawal symptoms were. Because of this and the strong cravings, he relapsed shortly after his initial attempt. Methadone maintenance therapy is prescribed. Which of the following would most likely be the most important benefit of this new treatment plan in this patient?

A 26-year-old woman presents to the office complaining of bloating and consistent fatigue. Past medical notes on her record show that she has seen several doctors at the clinic in the past year for the same concerns. During the discussion, she admits that coming to the doctor intensifies her anxiety and she does not enjoy it. However, she came because she fears that she has colon cancer and says, “There’s gotta be something wrong with me, I can feel it.” Past medical history is significant for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). She sees a therapist a few times a month. Her grandfather died of colon cancer at 75. Today, her blood pressure is 120/80 mm Hg, heart rate is 90/min, respiratory rate is 18/min, and temperature is 37.0°C (98.6°F). Physical examination reveals a well-nourished, well-developed woman who appears anxious and tired. Her heart has a regular rhythm and her lungs are clear to auscultation bilaterally. Her abdomen is soft, non-tender, and non-distended. No masses are palpated, and a digital rectal examination is unremarkable. Laboratory results are as follows: Serum chemistry Hemoglobin 13 g/dL Hematocrit 38% MCV 90 fl TSH 4.1 μU/mL Fecal occult blood test negative Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?

A 42-year-old woman presents with trouble focusing. She says that she has trouble focusing on simple tasks and her thoughts are very scattered. These difficulties have been present since she was a young student in elementary school. She says she had difficulty focusing both at school and at home. The patient is diagnosed with a psychiatric condition and is prescribed the medication that is recommended as the first-line treatment. Which of the following statements is true regarding this new medication?

A 32-year-old woman presents complaining of nightmares. She reports that these “nightmares” happen when she is asleep and also sometimes when she is awake, but she cannot come up with another description for them. The episodes have been happening for at least 3 weeks now. She states that when it happens she feels “outside of her body,” like she’s “watching myself.” She also reports some chronic fatigue. The patient denies headaches, vision changes, dizziness, or loss in sensation or motor function. She has no notable medical or surgical history. She takes a multivitamin every day. She smokes 1 pack of cigarettes a day but denies alcohol or illicit drug use. The patient appears slightly anxious but is in no acute distress. A physical and neurological exam is normal. She denies suicidal or homicidal ideation. Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis for the patient’s symptoms?

A 21-year-old female college student is brought to the university clinic by her roommates. They became worried because they noted long strands of hair all over the dormitory room floor. This has progressively worsened, with the midterms approaching. During discussions with the physician, the roommates also mention that she aggressively manipulates her scalp when she becomes upset or stressed. Physical examination reveals an otherwise well but anxious female with patches of missing and varying lengths of hair. A dermal biopsy is consistent with traumatic alopecia. What is the single most appropriate treatment for this patient?

An 11-year-old girl is brought into the clinic by her parents, who are distraught over her behavior. They state that over the past several months she has started to act oddly, combing the hair of her toy dolls for hours without stopping and repetitively counting her steps in the house. She is often brought to tears when confronted about these behaviors. The patient has no past medical history. When questioned about family history, the mother states she has needed close medical follow-up in the past, but declines to elaborate. The patient's vital signs are all within normal limits. On physical exam the patient is a well nourished 11-year-old girl in no acute distress. She has occasional motor tics, but the remainder of the exam is benign. What is the diagnosis in this patient?