Psychotic Disorders — MCQs

A 27-year-old man is brought into the emergency department by ambulance. The patient was at an appointment to receive welfare when he began acting abnormally. The patient was denied welfare. Shortly afterwards, he no longer responded to questions and stared blankly off into space, not responding to verbal stimuli. Other than odd lip-smacking behavior, he was motionless. Several minutes later, he became responsive but seemed confused. The patient has a past medical history of drug abuse and homelessness and is not currently taking any medications. His temperature is 98.9°F (37.2°C), blood pressure is 124/78 mmHg, pulse is 90/min, respirations are 14/min, and oxygen saturation is 99% on room air. Physical exam reveals cranial nerves II-XII as grossly intact with 5/5 strength in the upper and lower extremities and a stable gait. The patient seems confused when answering questions and has trouble remembering the episode. Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?

Five days after undergoing surgical repair of a hip fracture, a 71-year-old man is agitated and confused. Last night, he had to be restrained multiple times after attempting to leave his room. His overnight nurse reported that at times he would be resting, but shortly afterward he would become agitated again for no clear reason. He has hypertension and COPD. He had smoked one pack of cigarettes daily for 50 years but quit 10 years ago. He drinks 1 glass of whiskey per day. His current medications include oxycodone, hydrochlorothiazide, albuterol, and ipratropium. He appears agitated. His temperature is 37°C (98.6°F), pulse is 72/min, and blood pressure is 141/84 mm Hg. Pulmonary examination shows a prolonged expiratory phase but no other abnormalities. Neurologic examination shows inattentiveness and no focal findings. He is oriented to person but not to place or time. During the examination, the patient attempts to leave the room after pulling out his intravenous line and becomes violent. He is unable to be verbally redirected and is placed on soft restraints. Laboratory studies show: Hemoglobin 14.5 g/dL Leukocyte count 8,000/mm3 Platelet count 245,000/mm3 Serum Na+ 142 mEq/L K+ 3.5 mEq/L Cl- 101 mEq/L HCO3- 24 mEq/L Urea nitrogen 14 mg/dL Creatinine 1.1 mg/dL Urine dipstick shows no abnormalities. Which of the following is the most appropriate next step in management?

A 3-year-old boy is brought in by his mother because she is concerned that he has been “acting differently recently”. She says he no longer seems interested in playing with his friends from preschool, and she has noticed that he has stopped making eye contact with others. In addition, she says he flaps his hands when excited or angry and only seems to enjoy playing with objects that he can place in rows or rigid patterns. Despite these behaviors, he is meeting his language goals for his age (single word use). The patient has no significant past medical history. He is at the 90th percentile for height and weight for his age. He is afebrile and his vital signs are within normal limits. A physical examination is unremarkable. Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis in this patient?

A 29-year-old woman presents to the clinic regularly with her young daughter and complains that ever since her last delivery 5 years ago, she has been having intermittent light vaginal bleeding. She has seen several doctors so far and even some ‘specialist doctors.’ Her menstrual history also appears to be variable. Physical examination is within normal limits. Her urine analysis always seems to have > 10 RBCs/hpf. Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?

A 23-year-old man presents to the emergency department with a chief complaint of being assaulted on the street. The patient claims that he has been followed by the government for quite some time and that he was assaulted by a government agent but was able to escape. He often hears voices telling him to hide. The patient has an unknown past medical history and admits to smoking marijuana frequently. On physical exam, the patient has no signs of trauma. When interviewing the patient, he is seen conversing with an external party that is not apparent to you. The patient states that he is afraid for his life and that agents are currently pursuing him. What is the best initial response to this patient’s statement?

A 35-year-old computer programmer presents to the psychiatrist at the request of his mother for his oddities. He explains that he wears an aluminum foil cap while he works because he does not want extraterrestrial life to steal his thoughts. He spends his free time building a radio transmitter to contact distant planets. He denies any delusions or hallucinations. He claims that nothing is wrong with his eccentricities and is happy the way his life is. Which of the following personality disorders does this male most likely have?

A 60-year-old man who was admitted for a fractured hip and is awaiting surgery presents with acute onset altered mental status. The patient is noted by the nurses to be shouting and screaming profanities and has already pulled out his IV and urine catheter. He says he believes he is being kept against his will and does not recall falling or fracturing his hip. The patient must be restrained by the staff to prevent him from getting out of bed. He is refusing a physical exam. Initial examination reveals an agitated elderly man with a trickle of blood flowing down his left arm. He is screaming and swinging his fists at the staff. The patient is oriented x 1. Which of the following is the next, best step in the management of this patient?

A 19-year-old man presents to a psychiatrist for the management of substance abuse. He reports that he started using the substance 2 years ago and that he smokes it after sprinkling it on his cigarette. He describes that after smoking the substance, he feels excited and as if he does not belong to himself. He also reports that when he is in his room, he sees vivid colors on the walls after using the substance; if he listens to his favorite music, he clearly sees colors and shapes in front of his eyes. There is no history of alcohol or nicotine abuse. The psychiatrist goes through his medical records and notes that he had presented with acute substance intoxication 1 month prior. At that point, his clinical features included delusions, amnesia, generalized erythema of his skin, tachycardia, hypertension, dilated pupils, dysarthria, and ataxia. Which of the following signs is also most likely to have been present on physical examination while the man was intoxicated with the substance?

A 24-year-old man presents to the emergency department after a suicide attempt. He is admitted to the hospital and diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder. A review of medical records reveals a history of illicit drug use, particularly cocaine and amphetamines. He is started on aripiprazole, paroxetine, and trazodone. At the time of discharge, he appeared more coherent and with a marked improvement in positive symptoms of hallucinations and delusions but still with a flat effect. During the patient’s first follow-up visit, his mother reports he has become increasingly agitated and restless despite compliance with his medications. She reports that her son’s hallucinations and delusions have stopped and he does not have suicidal ideations, but he cannot sit still and continuously taps his feet, wiggles his fingers, and paces in his room. When asked if anything is troubling him, he stands up and paces around the room. He says, “I cannot sit still. Something is happening to me.” A urine drug screen is negative. What is the next best step in the management of this patient?

A 24-year-old woman is brought to the hospital by her mother because she has "not been herself" for the past 3 months. The patient says she hears voices in her head. The mother said that when she is talking to her daughter she can’t seem to make out what she is saying; it is as if her thoughts are disorganized. When talking with the patient, you notice a lack of energy and an apathetic affect. Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis for this patient?