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  • Question 1 - Out of the options provided, which symptom is not classified as a first...

    Correct

    • Out of the options provided, which symptom is not classified as a first rank symptom of schizophrenia?

      Your Answer: Visual hallucinations

      Explanation:

      First Rank Symptoms: Their Significance in Identifying Schizophrenia

      First rank symptoms were introduced by Kurt Schneider in 1938 as a practical tool for non-psychiatrists to identify schizophrenia. While they are highly suggestive of schizophrenia, they are not pathognomonic and can also be seen in affective and personality disorders. Additionally, there is no evidence to support their prognostic significance.

      A systematic review in 2015 found that first rank symptoms differentiated schizophrenia from nonpsychotic mental health disorders with a sensitivity of 61.8% and a specificity of 94.1%. They also differentiated schizophrenia from other types of psychosis with a sensitivity of 58% and a specificity of 74.7%.

      The first rank symptoms include running commentary, thought echo, voices heard arguing, thought insertion, thought withdrawal, thought broadcast, delusional perception, somatic passivity, made affect, and made volition. While they can be helpful in identifying schizophrenia, they should not be relied upon as the sole diagnostic criteria.

    • This question is part of the following fields:

      • Classification And Assessment
      8.5
      Seconds
  • Question 2 - What medication, often prescribed, is known to elevate the risk of hyponatremia when...

    Correct

    • What medication, often prescribed, is known to elevate the risk of hyponatremia when taken in conjunction with SSRIs?

      Your Answer: Lisinopril

      Explanation:

      Lisinopril is a medication that belongs to the class of ACE inhibitors and is commonly prescribed to treat hypertension and heart failure.

      Hyponatremia in Psychiatric Patients

      Hyponatremia, of low serum sodium, can occur in psychiatric patients due to the disorder itself, its treatment, of other medical conditions. Symptoms include nausea, confusion, seizures, and muscular cramps. Drug-induced hyponatremia is known as the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone hypersecretion (SIADH), which results from excessive secretion of ADH and fluid overload. Diagnosis is based on clinically euvolaemic state with low serum sodium and osmolality, raised urine sodium and osmolality. SSRIs, SNRIs, and tricyclics are the most common drugs that can cause SIADH. Risk factors for SIADH include starting a new drug, and treatment usually involves fluid restriction and sometimes demeclocycline.

    • This question is part of the following fields:

      • Psychopharmacology
      11.6
      Seconds
  • Question 3 - What signs of symptoms would indicate a possible diagnosis of Turner syndrome? ...

    Correct

    • What signs of symptoms would indicate a possible diagnosis of Turner syndrome?

      Your Answer: Webbed neck

      Explanation:

      Understanding Turner Syndrome

      Turner syndrome is a genetic disorder that affects only females. It occurs when one of the two X chromosomes is missing of partially missing. This happens randomly and does not increase the risk of the condition in future siblings. Although X-inactivation occurs in females, having only one X chromosome can cause issues as not all genes are inactivated in the inactivated X chromosome.

      The features of Turner syndrome include short stature, a webbed neck, a broad chest with widely spaced nipples, gonadal dysfunction leading to amenorrhea and infertility, congenital heart disease, and hypothyroidism. Despite these physical characteristics, girls with Turner syndrome typically have normal intelligence, with a mean full-scale IQ of 90. However, they may struggle with nonverbal, social, and psychomotor skills. It is important to understand the symptoms and effects of Turner syndrome to provide appropriate care and support for affected individuals.

    • This question is part of the following fields:

      • Psychological Development
      5.1
      Seconds
  • Question 4 - A patient complains that his deceased grandfather is putting thoughts into his head....

    Correct

    • A patient complains that his deceased grandfather is putting thoughts into his head. This type of thought disorder is referred to as:

      Your Answer: Passivity

      Explanation:

      Patients may feel that they have lost control over their thoughts, which can manifest as passivity of thought. This refers to the belief that an external agency is controlling one’s thoughts. Passivity can take different forms, such as thought withdrawal, thought insertion, and thought broadcasting.

      Ego (Boundary) Disturbances

      Ego (boundary) disturbances refer to experiences where there is a disturbance in the perception of self as distinct from the environment of the integrity of self. It also includes instances where bodily processes, personal thought processes, feelings, and actions are experienced as being externally directed. These phenomena are referred to as passivity phenomena, and some of the symptom characteristics are classified as bizarre delusional phenomena in the DSM.

      Derealization is when a patient experiences their surroundings of time as if they are unreal and changed, losing all feelings of familiarity and trust in the environment. People, objects, and surroundings appear unreal, unfamiliar, of spatially altered. The sensations may be intense of weak in nature.

      Depersonalization is when a patient perceives themselves as alien, unreal, changed, of as a stranger. The disturbances of depersonalization may be of a transient nature only of become more persistent over a longer period of time. It is generally felt to be both strange and unpleasant.

      Thought broadcasting is when a patient’s personal thoughts are experienced as no longer belonging to the patient alone but accessible by others who will know what the patient is thinking (mind reading). Thought withdrawal is when a patient’s thoughts are being removed of stripped from them. Thought insertion is when patients experience their thoughts and ideas as being externally influenced, made externally, controlled, directed, entered/ of externally imposed.

      Other feelings of alien influence refer to feelings, intentions, behavior, of bodily functions that are experienced as externally controlled of made by others (passivity phenomena). The patient feels externally compelled to say something specific, to scream, to act of behave in a particular way, to attack someone, to throw a tantrum, etc.

    • This question is part of the following fields:

      • Classification And Assessment
      10.4
      Seconds
  • Question 5 - What is divided by the Sylvian fissure? ...

    Incorrect

    • What is divided by the Sylvian fissure?

      Your Answer: The temporal and occipital lobes from the frontal lobe

      Correct Answer: The frontal and parietal lobes from the temporal lobe

      Explanation:

      The temporal lobe is separated from the frontal and parietal lobes by the Sylvian fissure.

      The Cerebral Cortex and Neocortex

      The cerebral cortex is the outermost layer of the cerebral hemispheres and is composed of three parts: the archicortex, paleocortex, and neocortex. The neocortex accounts for 90% of the cortex and is involved in higher functions such as thought and language. It is divided into 6-7 layers, with two main cell types: pyramidal cells and nonpyramidal cells. The surface of the neocortex is divided into separate areas, each given a number by Brodmann (e.g. Brodmann’s area 17 is the primary visual cortex). The surface is folded to increase surface area, with grooves called sulci and ridges called gyri. The neocortex is responsible for higher cognitive functions and is essential for human consciousness.

    • This question is part of the following fields:

      • Neurosciences
      32.1
      Seconds
  • Question 6 - A toy company is assessing a new product for children's cognitive development. What...

    Incorrect

    • A toy company is assessing a new product for children's cognitive development. What scale would be the most effective in evaluating the impact of the new educational toy?

      Your Answer: None of the above

      Correct Answer: Scale for assessment of positive (SAPS) and assessment of negative symptoms (SANS)

      Explanation:

      Several scales are utilized to assess the positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia, including the assessment of positive symptoms (SAPS) and assessment of negative symptoms (SANS). These scales are commonly used in research to evaluate the effectiveness of new medications. The global assessment of functioning scale is used by clinicians to determine a patient’s overall level of functioning. The Hamilton rating scale for depression (HAM-D) is a useful tool for monitoring the severity of depression and measuring the impact of treatment. Additionally, the schedule for affective disorders and schizophrenia (SADS) was created to standardize the diagnostic evaluation of psychiatric symptoms and reduce variability in information.

    • This question is part of the following fields:

      • Description And Measurement
      15.4
      Seconds
  • Question 7 - Which of the following is classified as a tertiary amine? ...

    Correct

    • Which of the following is classified as a tertiary amine?

      Your Answer: Clomipramine

      Explanation:

      Tricyclic Antidepressants: Uses, Types, and Side-Effects

      Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) are a type of medication used for depression and neuropathic pain. However, due to their side-effects and toxicity in overdose, they are not commonly used for depression anymore. TCAs can be divided into two types: first generation (tertiary amines) and second generation (secondary amines). The secondary amines have a lower side effect profile and act primarily on noradrenaline, while the tertiary amines boost serotonin and noradrenaline.

      Some examples of secondary amines include desipramine, nortriptyline, protriptyline, and amoxapine. Examples of tertiary amines include amitriptyline, lofepramine, imipramine, clomipramine, dosulepin (dothiepin), doxepin, trimipramine, and butriptyline. Common side-effects of TCAs include drowsiness, dry mouth, blurred vision, constipation, and urinary retention.

      Low-dose amitriptyline is commonly used for neuropathic pain and prophylaxis of headache. Lofepramine has a lower incidence of toxicity in overdose. However, amitriptyline and dosulepin (dothiepin) are considered the most dangerous in overdose. It is important to consult with a healthcare provider before taking any medication and to follow their instructions carefully.

    • This question is part of the following fields:

      • Psychopharmacology
      9.7
      Seconds
  • Question 8 - When is it inappropriate to use cholinesterase inhibitors? ...

    Incorrect

    • When is it inappropriate to use cholinesterase inhibitors?

      Your Answer: Dementia with Lewy bodies

      Correct Answer: Frontotemporal dementia

      Explanation:

      The use of cholinesterase inhibitors may worsen behaviour in individuals with frontotemporal dementia. However, these inhibitors are approved for treating Alzheimer’s dementia and Parkinson’s disease dementia (rivastigmine). While NICE guidelines do not recommend their use for non-cognitive symptoms in dementia with Lewy bodies, they can be prescribed for mixed dementia with a primary Alzheimer’s pathology.

    • This question is part of the following fields:

      • Psychopharmacology
      4.8
      Seconds
  • Question 9 - What is a common compulsion that may be present in individuals with OCD?...

    Incorrect

    • What is a common compulsion that may be present in individuals with OCD?

      Your Answer: Fears of contamination

      Correct Answer: Checking locks

      Explanation:

      The typical compulsive behaviors in OCD involve checking locks, taps, and safety issues, which serve to alleviate anxiety and reinforce the behavior. Breath-holding is not a common manifestation of OCD, nor is hand-wringing of stepping on cracks in the pavement. While fear of contamination is a common obsession, it is not a compulsion in and of itself. Instead, the compulsion typically involves behaviors aimed at avoiding contamination.

    • This question is part of the following fields:

      • Diagnosis
      7.3
      Seconds
  • Question 10 - Which of the following is an exocannabinoid? ...

    Incorrect

    • Which of the following is an exocannabinoid?

      Your Answer: Anandamide

      Correct Answer: Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol

      Explanation:

      The Endocannabinoid System and its Role in Psychosis

      The endocannabinoid system (ECS) plays a crucial role in regulating various physiological functions in the body, including cognition, sleep, energy metabolism, and inflammation. It is composed of endogenous cannabinoids, cannabinoid receptors, and proteins that transport, synthesize, and degrade endocannabinoids. The two best-characterized cannabinoid receptors are CB1 and CB2, which primarily couple to inhibitory G proteins and modulate different neurotransmitter systems in the brain.

      Impairment of the ECS after cannabis consumption has been linked to an increased risk of psychotic illness. However, enhancing the ECS with cannabidiol (CBD) has shown anti-inflammatory and antipsychotic outcomes in both healthy study participants and in preliminary clinical trials on people with psychotic illness of at high risk of developing psychosis. Studies have also found increased anandamide levels in the cerebrospinal fluid and blood, as well as increased CB1 expression in peripheral immune cells of people with psychotic illness compared to healthy controls. Overall, understanding the role of the ECS in psychosis may lead to new therapeutic approaches for treating this condition.

    • This question is part of the following fields:

      • Neurosciences
      10.9
      Seconds
  • Question 11 - Which statement accurately describes puberty? ...

    Incorrect

    • Which statement accurately describes puberty?

      Your Answer: On average, boys enter puberty 2 years after girls

      Correct Answer: On average, puberty last 3-4 years

      Explanation:

      Puberty

      Puberty is a natural process that occurs in both boys and girls. The age range for the onset of puberty is between 8-14 years for females and 9-14 years for males, with the mean age of onset being 11 years for girls and 12 years for boys. The duration of puberty is typically 3-4 years. The onset of puberty is marked by the appearance of secondary sex characteristics, such as breast development in females and testicular enlargement in males. These characteristics evolve over time and are rated into 5 stages according to Tanner’s criteria. The sequence of events differs between boys and girls, with the onset of breast development (thelarche) generally preceding the onset of the first period (menarche) by around 2 years in girls. The pubertal growth spurt occurs during stages 3 to 4 in most boys and during stages 2 and 3 in girls. Precocious puberty, which occurs earlier than usual, is more common in girls than in boys. The age of onset of puberty in girls has been decreasing over time, with environmental factors such as nutrition potentially playing a role in this trend.

    • This question is part of the following fields:

      • Psychological Development
      20.9
      Seconds
  • Question 12 - During which stage does Bowlby's theory of attachment refer to as 'attachment in...

    Correct

    • During which stage does Bowlby's theory of attachment refer to as 'attachment in the making'?

      Your Answer: 6 weeks to 6 months

      Explanation:

      Attachment Theory and Harlow’s Monkeys

      Attachment theory, developed by John Bowlby, suggests that children have an innate tendency to form relationships with people around them to increase their chance of survival. This attachment is different from bonding, which concerns the mother’s feelings for her infant. Children typically single out a primary caregiver, referred to as the principle attachment figure, from about 1-3 months. The quality of a person’s early attachments is associated with their adult behavior, with poor attachments leading to withdrawn individuals who struggle to form relationships and good attachments leading to socially competent adults who can form healthy relationships.

      Bowlby’s attachment model has four stages: preattachment, attachment in the making, clear-cut attachment, and formation of reciprocal attachment. The time from 6 months to 36 months is known as the critical period, during which a child is most vulnerable to interruptions in its attachment. Attachments are divided into secure and insecure types, with insecure types further divided into avoidant and ambivalent types.

      Harlow’s experiment with young rhesus monkeys demonstrated the importance of the need for closeness over food. The experiment involved giving the monkeys a choice between two different mothers, one made of soft terry cloth but provided no food and the other made of wire but provided food from an attached baby bottle. The baby monkeys spent significantly more time with their cloth mother than with their wire mother, showing the importance of attachment and closeness in early development.

    • This question is part of the following fields:

      • Psychological Development
      13.1
      Seconds
  • Question 13 - What is the typical artery that is blocked in cases of Alexia without...

    Correct

    • What is the typical artery that is blocked in cases of Alexia without agraphia?

      Your Answer: Posterior cerebral artery

      Explanation:

      Aphasia is a language impairment that affects the production of comprehension of speech, as well as the ability to read of write. The areas involved in language are situated around the Sylvian fissure, referred to as the ‘perisylvian language area’. For repetition, the primary auditory cortex, Wernicke, Broca via the Arcuate fasciculus (AF), Broca recodes into articulatory plan, primary motor cortex, and pyramidal system to cranial nerves are involved. For oral reading, the visual cortex to Wernicke and the same processes as for repetition follows. For writing, Wernicke via AF to premotor cortex for arm and hand, movement planned, sent to motor cortex. The classification of aphasia is complex and imprecise, with the Boston Group classification and Luria’s aphasia interpretation being the most influential. The important subtypes of aphasia include global aphasia, Broca’s aphasia, Wernicke’s aphasia, conduction aphasia, anomic aphasia, transcortical motor aphasia, and transcortical sensory aphasia. Additional syndromes include alexia without agraphia, alexia with agraphia, and pure word deafness.

    • This question is part of the following fields:

      • Neurosciences
      28
      Seconds
  • Question 14 - What is another term for a set of alleles on a chromosome that...

    Incorrect

    • What is another term for a set of alleles on a chromosome that typically passes down together as a unit in a family tree?

      Your Answer: Epistotype

      Correct Answer: Haplotype

      Explanation:

      Recombination Fraction: A Measure of Distance Between Loci

      When two loci are located on different chromosomes, they segregate independently during meiosis. However, if they are on the same chromosome, they tend to segregate together, unless crossing over occurs. Crossing over is a process in meiosis where two homologous chromosomes exchange genetic material, resulting in the shuffling of alleles. The likelihood of crossing over between two loci on a chromosome decreases as their distance from each other increases.

      Hence, blocks of alleles on a chromosome tend to be transmitted together through generations, forming a haplotype. The recombination fraction is a measure of the distance between two loci on a chromosome. The closer the loci are, the lower the recombination fraction, and the more likely they are to be transmitted together. Conversely, the further apart the loci are, the higher the recombination fraction, and the more likely they are to be separated by crossing over. The recombination fraction can range from 0% if the loci are very close to 50% if they are on different chromosomes.

    • This question is part of the following fields:

      • Genetics
      10.2
      Seconds
  • Question 15 - Which of the options below is not an accepted method for treating depression?...

    Correct

    • Which of the options below is not an accepted method for treating depression?

      Your Answer: Zotepine

      Explanation:

      Zotepine, which has been utilized globally to manage schizophrenia, has been removed from the UK market due to its potential to trigger seizures.

      Antidepressants (Licensed Indications)

      The following table outlines the specific licensed indications for antidepressants in adults, as per the Maudsley Guidelines and the British National Formulary. It is important to note that all antidepressants are indicated for depression.

      – Nocturnal enuresis in children: Amitriptyline, Imipramine, Nortriptyline
      – Phobic and obsessional states: Clomipramine
      – Adjunctive treatment of cataplexy associated with narcolepsy: Clomipramine
      – Panic disorder and agoraphobia: Citalopram, Escitalopram, Sertraline, Paroxetine, Venlafaxine
      – Social anxiety/phobia: Escitalopram, Paroxetine, Sertraline, Moclobemide, Venlafaxine
      – Generalised anxiety disorder: Escitalopram, Paroxetine, Duloxetine, Venlafaxine
      – OCD: Escitalopram, Fluoxetine, Fluvoxamine, Paroxetine, Sertraline, Clomipramine
      – Bulimia nervosa: Fluoxetine
      – PTSD: Paroxetine, Sertraline

    • This question is part of the following fields:

      • Psychopharmacology
      9.9
      Seconds
  • Question 16 - In which context is the anglepoise lamp sign observed? ...

    Correct

    • In which context is the anglepoise lamp sign observed?

      Your Answer: Mitgehen

      Explanation:

      – Catatonia is a psychiatric syndrome characterized by disturbed motor functions, mood, and thought.
      – Key behaviors associated with catatonia include stupor, posturing, waxy flexibility, negativism, automatic obedience, mitmachen, mitgehen, ambitendency, psychological pillow, forced grasping, obstruction, echopraxia, aversion, mannerisms, stereotypies, motor perseveration, echolalia, and logorrhoea.
      – These behaviors are often tested in exam questions.
      – Karl Ludwig Kahlbaum is credited with the original clinical description of catatonia.

    • This question is part of the following fields:

      • Classification And Assessment
      60.7
      Seconds
  • Question 17 - What type of dysarthria is typically caused by widespread damage to the upper...

    Correct

    • What type of dysarthria is typically caused by widespread damage to the upper motor neurons?

      Your Answer: Spastic dysarthria

      Explanation:

      Dysarthria is a speech disorder that affects the volume, rate, tone, of quality of spoken language. There are different types of dysarthria, each with its own set of features, associated conditions, and localisation. The types of dysarthria include spastic, flaccid, hypokinetic, hyperkinetic, and ataxic.

      Spastic dysarthria is characterised by explosive and forceful speech at a slow rate and is associated with conditions such as pseudobulbar palsy and spastic hemiplegia.

      Flaccid dysarthria, on the other hand, is characterised by a breathy, nasal voice and imprecise consonants and is associated with conditions such as myasthenia gravis.

      Hypokinetic dysarthria is characterised by slow, quiet speech with a tremor and is associated with conditions such as Parkinson’s disease.

      Hyperkinetic dysarthria is characterised by a variable rate, inappropriate stoppages, and a strained quality and is associated with conditions such as Huntington’s disease, Sydenham’s chorea, and tardive dyskinesia.

      Finally, ataxic dysarthria is characterised by rapid, monopitched, and slurred speech and is associated with conditions such as Friedreich’s ataxia and alcohol abuse. The localisation of each type of dysarthria varies, with spastic and flaccid dysarthria affecting the upper and lower motor neurons, respectively, and hypokinetic, hyperkinetic, and ataxic dysarthria affecting the extrapyramidal and cerebellar regions of the brain.

    • This question is part of the following fields:

      • Neurosciences
      7.2
      Seconds
  • Question 18 - What is the codon that initiates polypeptide synthesis? ...

    Correct

    • What is the codon that initiates polypeptide synthesis?

      Your Answer: AUG

      Explanation:

      The initiation codon for polypeptide synthesis is AUG, which also codes for the amino acid methionine. Therefore, all newly synthesized polypeptides begin with methionine.

    • This question is part of the following fields:

      • Genetics
      11.3
      Seconds
  • Question 19 - Which of the following is not classified as a distinct personality disorder in...

    Correct

    • Which of the following is not classified as a distinct personality disorder in the DSM-5?

      Your Answer: Multiple personality disorder

      Explanation:

      Personality Disorder Classification

      A personality disorder is a persistent pattern of behavior and inner experience that deviates significantly from cultural expectations, is inflexible and pervasive, and causes distress of impairment. The DSM-5 and ICD-11 have different approaches to classifying personality disorders. DSM-5 divides them into 10 categories, grouped into clusters A, B, and C, while ICD-11 has a general category with six trait domains that can be added. To diagnose a personality disorder, the general diagnostic threshold must be met before determining the subtype(s) present. The criteria for diagnosis include inflexibility and pervasiveness of the pattern, onset in adolescence of early adulthood, stability over time, and significant distress of impairment. The disturbance must not be better explained by another mental disorder, substance misuse, of medical condition.

      Course

      Borderline and antisocial personality disorders tend to become less evident of remit with age, while others, particularly obsessive-compulsive and schizotypal, may persist.

      Classification

      The DSM-5 divides personality disorders into separate clusters A, B, and C, with additional groups for medical conditions and unspecified disorders. The ICD-11 dropped the separate categories and instead lists six trait domains that can be added to the general diagnosis.

      UK Epidemiology

      The prevalence of personality disorders in Great Britain, according to the British National Survey of Psychiatric Morbidity, is 4.4%, with cluster C being the most common at 2.6%, followed by cluster A at 1.6% and cluster B at 1.2%. The most prevalent specific personality disorder is obsessive-compulsive (anankastic) at 1.9%.

    • This question is part of the following fields:

      • Classification And Assessment
      7.1
      Seconds
  • Question 20 - What is the accurate formula for calculating BMI? ...

    Incorrect

    • What is the accurate formula for calculating BMI?

      Your Answer: Height (cm) / mass² (kg)

      Correct Answer: Mass (kg)/ height² (m)

      Explanation:

      Assessment and Management of Obesity

      Obesity is a condition that can increase the risk of various health problems, including type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, some types of cancer, and stroke. The body mass index (BMI) is a commonly used tool to assess obesity, calculated by dividing a person’s weight in kilograms by their height in meters squared. For adults over 20 years old, BMI falls into one of the following categories: underweight, normal of healthy weight, pre-obesity/overweight, obesity class I, obesity class II, and obesity class III.

      Waist circumference can also be used in combination with BMI to guide interventions. Diet and exercise are the main interventions up to a BMI of 35, unless there are comorbidities such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, osteoarthritis, dyslipidemia, and sleep apnea. Physical activity recommendations suggest that adults should accumulate at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity activity of 75 minutes of vigorous intensity activity per week. Dietary recommendations suggest diets that have a 600 kcal/day deficit.

      Pharmacological options such as Orlistat of Liraglutide may be considered for those with a BMI of 30 kg/m2 of more, of 28 if associated risk factors. Surgical options such as bariatric surgery may be considered for those with a BMI of 40 kg/m2 of more, of between 35 kg/m2 and 40 kg/m2 with other significant diseases that could be improved with weight loss.

    • This question is part of the following fields:

      • Classification And Assessment
      22.4
      Seconds
  • Question 21 - How can we differentiate between a pseudohallucination and a true hallucination? ...

    Correct

    • How can we differentiate between a pseudohallucination and a true hallucination?

      Your Answer: Occurs in inner subjective space

      Explanation:

      The distinguishing factors between the two are based on personal interpretation and tangible versus intangible concepts.

      Altered Perceptual Experiences

      Disorders of perception can be categorized into sensory distortions and sensory deceptions. Sensory distortions involve changes in the intensity, spatial form, of quality of a perception. Examples include hyperaesthesia, hyperacusis, and micropsia. Sensory deceptions, on the other hand, involve new perceptions that are not based on any external stimulus. These include illusions and hallucinations.

      Illusions are altered perceptions of a stimulus, while hallucinations are perceptions in the absence of a stimulus. Completion illusions, affect illusions, and pareidolic illusions are examples of illusions. Auditory, visual, gustatory, olfactory, and tactile hallucinations are different types of hallucinations. Pseudohallucinations are involuntary and vivid sensory experiences that are interpreted in a non-morbid way. They are different from true hallucinations in that the individual is able to recognize that the experience is an internally generated event.

      Understanding the different types of altered perceptual experiences is important in the diagnosis and treatment of various mental health conditions.

    • This question is part of the following fields:

      • Classification And Assessment
      11.3
      Seconds
  • Question 22 - A high school student passes their final exams having based their revision solely...

    Incorrect

    • A high school student passes their final exams having based their revision solely on past exam papers. On the other hand, another student who has studied extensively from textbooks fails the same exams despite having gained vast knowledge. What does this scenario illustrate?

      Your Answer: Interloper effect

      Correct Answer: Practice effect

      Explanation:

      When preparing for the MRCPsych exam, it is not advisable to solely rely on textbooks. One question that has been appearing on the exam is about the Hawthorne effect, which describes how individuals alter their behavior when they are aware of being observed. Another cognitive bias is the halo effect, where the perception of one trait is influenced by the perception of another trait, such as assuming intelligence based on the presence of glasses. It is worth noting that this question was originally written here.

      The Practice Effect and Its Impact on Test Scores

      The practice effect is a phenomenon that occurs when individuals take a test multiple times, resulting in higher scores due to their previous experience. This effect is most noticeable when the time between the two tests is short. The practice effect can have a significant impact on test scores, as individuals who have taken a test before are likely to perform better than those who have not. This effect is particularly relevant in educational settings, where students may take multiple tests throughout a semester of academic year. Understanding the practice effect can help educators and researchers better interpret test scores and make more informed decisions about student performance.

    • This question is part of the following fields:

      • Social Psychology
      19.4
      Seconds
  • Question 23 - What is the least dependable indicator of long-term alcohol misuse? ...

    Incorrect

    • What is the least dependable indicator of long-term alcohol misuse?

      Your Answer: Atrophic testicles

      Correct Answer: Abdominal striae

      Explanation:

      Hepatomegaly

      Chronic alcohol abuse can lead to hepatomegaly, which is an enlargement of the liver. This can be detected on physical examination by palpating the liver below the right ribcage. Hepatomegaly can also be associated with other signs of liver disease, such as jaundice, spider naevi, and caput medusa. It is important for psychiatrists to be aware of these physical findings in patients with alcohol use disorder, as they may indicate the need for further medical evaluation and treatment.

    • This question is part of the following fields:

      • Classification And Assessment
      13.2
      Seconds
  • Question 24 - In what area of human behavior did Lorenz develop his ideas based on...

    Incorrect

    • In what area of human behavior did Lorenz develop his ideas based on his research with birds?

      Your Answer: Altruism

      Correct Answer: Aggression

      Explanation:

      Theories of aggression can be categorized into three main perspectives: psychodynamic, sociological/drive, and cognitive and learning. Psychodynamic theory, proposed by Freud, suggests that aggression arises from a primary instinct called thanatos, which aims for destruction and death. Sociobiological/drive theory, proposed by Lorenz, suggests that aggression is instinctual and necessary for survival, and that stronger genes are selected through aggression. Cognitive and learning theory, proposed by Berkowitz, Rotter, Bandura, and Anderson, suggests that aggression can be learned through observational learning and is influenced by environmental factors. Bandura’s work introduced the concept of reciprocal determinism, which suggests that behavior is influenced by both the environment and the individual’s behavior. Rotter’s social learning theory emphasizes the interaction between the individual and their environment, while Anderson and Bushman’s general aggression model considers the role of social, cognitive, developmental, and biological factors on aggression.

    • This question is part of the following fields:

      • Social Psychology
      15.1
      Seconds
  • Question 25 - Which medical condition is commonly linked to Argyll Robertson pupils? ...

    Correct

    • Which medical condition is commonly linked to Argyll Robertson pupils?

      Your Answer: Syphilis

      Explanation:

      Argyll Robertson Pupil: Accommodation Retained

      The Argyll Robertson pupil is a notable topic in medical exams, as it is associated with tertiary syphilis, which is a crucial differential diagnosis for various psychiatric conditions like mood disorders, dementia, and psychosis. This type of pupil reacts poorly to light but normally to near stimuli, such as accommodation and convergence. They are typically small and irregular in shape, but they do not usually affect visual acuity. Mydriatic agents are not effective in dilating the Argyll Robertson pupil. Although this type of pupil is often considered pathognomonic of tertiary syphilis, it has also been observed in diabetes.

    • This question is part of the following fields:

      • Classification And Assessment
      4.7
      Seconds
  • Question 26 - A 42-year-old woman complains of seeing two of everything. During the exam, it...

    Incorrect

    • A 42-year-old woman complains of seeing two of everything. During the exam, it is noted that her right eye is turned inward while looking straight ahead.
      What is the diagnosis?

      Your Answer: Left abducens nerve palsy

      Correct Answer: Right abducens nerve palsy

      Explanation:

      The abducens nerve (CN VI) controls the lateral rectus muscle, which allows for outward eye movement. If a patient has an isolated unilateral abducens nerve palsy, they may experience horizontal diplopia, where the affected eye deviates inward due to the unopposed medial rectus muscle. This results in the patient being unable to move their eye outward when looking to the affected side. If the right eye is deviated inward, it indicates right nerve palsy.

      The oculomotor nerve (CN III) controls several eye muscles, including the superior rectus, inferior rectus, inferior oblique, and medial rectus muscles. It also controls the levator palpebrae superioris (LPS) muscles responsible for lifting the upper eyelid and the muscles that constrict the pupil. The presentation of an oculomotor nerve lesion can vary depending on which branch of area is affected. In a complete oculomotor nerve palsy, the affected eye may be positioned downward and outward, resulting in strabismus and diplopia. The patient may also experience mydriasis (dilated pupil) and ptosis (drooping of the eyelid).

      The trochlear nerve (CN IV) controls the superior oblique muscle, which allows for downward, inward, and outward eye movement. If a patient has a trochlear nerve lesion, they may experience vertical diplopia and develop a head tilt away from the affected eye.

    • This question is part of the following fields:

      • Neurological Examination
      27.6
      Seconds
  • Question 27 - During the examination of a male patient with schizophrenia, the physician observed that...

    Correct

    • During the examination of a male patient with schizophrenia, the physician observed that his right hand could be easily moved with minimal pressure. Can you identify this phenomenon?

      Your Answer: Mitgehen

      Explanation:

      Schizophrenia can present with various motor disorders, which can be observed during interactions with the interviewer. These may include excessive cooperation of opposition. Symptoms of excessive cooperation include mitgehen, echopraxia, automatic obedience, and advertence. Mitgehen is characterized by abnormal movements in response to the interviewer’s direction. Echopraxia involves the patient imitating the interviewer’s movements. Automatic obedience is when the patient follows commands in a literal and concrete manner. Advertence is when the patient turns towards the examiner in response to bizarre, exaggerated, and inflexible speech.

    • This question is part of the following fields:

      • Descriptive Psychopathology
      22.5
      Seconds
  • Question 28 - What food item is rich in choline? ...

    Correct

    • What food item is rich in choline?

      Your Answer: Egg yolk

      Explanation:

      Choline, which is essential for the synthesis of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, can be obtained in significant quantities from vegetables, seeds, egg yolk, and liver. However, it is only present in small amounts in most fruits, egg whites, and many beverages.

    • This question is part of the following fields:

      • Neurosciences
      19.8
      Seconds
  • Question 29 - Who is recognized as the originator of the Cognitive Neoassociation Theory of Aggression?...

    Correct

    • Who is recognized as the originator of the Cognitive Neoassociation Theory of Aggression?

      Your Answer: Berkowitz

      Explanation:

      Theories of aggression can be categorized into three main perspectives: psychodynamic, sociological/drive, and cognitive and learning. Psychodynamic theory, proposed by Freud, suggests that aggression arises from a primary instinct called thanatos, which aims for destruction and death. Sociobiological/drive theory, proposed by Lorenz, suggests that aggression is instinctual and necessary for survival, and that stronger genes are selected through aggression. Cognitive and learning theory, proposed by Berkowitz, Rotter, Bandura, and Anderson, suggests that aggression can be learned through observational learning and is influenced by environmental factors. Bandura’s work introduced the concept of reciprocal determinism, which suggests that behavior is influenced by both the environment and the individual’s behavior. Rotter’s social learning theory emphasizes the interaction between the individual and their environment, while Anderson and Bushman’s general aggression model considers the role of social, cognitive, developmental, and biological factors on aggression.

    • This question is part of the following fields:

      • Social Psychology
      24.1
      Seconds
  • Question 30 - Which one of these is not classified as a biogenic amine? ...

    Correct

    • Which one of these is not classified as a biogenic amine?

      Your Answer: Acetylcholine

      Explanation:

      Biogenic Amines: Understanding the Neurotransmitters

      Biogenic amines are a class of compounds that are derived from amino acids. These compounds play a crucial role in the functioning of the nervous system. Biogenic amine neurotransmitters include catecholamines (adrenaline, noradrenaline, and dopamine), serotonin, and histamine. A useful mnemonic to remember these neurotransmitters is HANDS (Histamine, Adrenaline, Noradrenaline, Dopamine, Serotonin).

      Catecholamines are involved in the body’s response to stress and are responsible for the fight or flight response. Adrenaline and noradrenaline are catecholamines that are released by the adrenal glands in response to stress. Dopamine is involved in the reward system of the brain and is associated with pleasure and motivation.

      Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that is involved in mood regulation, appetite, and sleep. It is also involved in the regulation of pain and the perception of pain.

      Histamine is involved in the immune response and is responsible for the symptoms of allergies. It is also involved in the regulation of sleep and wakefulness.

      Understanding the role of biogenic amines in the nervous system is crucial for the development of treatments for neurological and psychiatric disorders.

    • This question is part of the following fields:

      • Psychopharmacology
      17.4
      Seconds

SESSION STATS - PERFORMANCE PER SPECIALTY

Classification And Assessment (6/8) 75%
Psychopharmacology (4/5) 80%
Psychological Development (2/3) 67%
Neurosciences (3/5) 60%
Description And Measurement (0/1) 0%
Diagnosis (0/1) 0%
Genetics (1/2) 50%
Social Psychology (1/3) 33%
Neurological Examination (0/1) 0%
Descriptive Psychopathology (1/1) 100%
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