There are 486 questions on various topics in Neurology in the FrontalCortex neurology question bank.

Psychoses 01

Topic: Anatomy

Created on Friday, December 29 2006 by

Last modified on Friday, December 29 2006.

A 22 year-old male spy is brought by ambulance to the emergency room.
He is uncooperative, disheveled, and insists that the LAPD is trying to kill him.
He complains of seeing visions of old peach silkworms.
He is accompanied by his cousin, who states that he was lucid and rational until 2 days ago, when he also began to complain of nausea and headache.
Physical exam is significant for photophobia, high fever, repeated vomiting, and nuchal rigidity.

Of the following, which is the most appropriate diagnosis?

A) Schizophrenia

B) Psychotic disorder due to a general medical condition

C) Schizophreniform disorder

D) Substance-induced psychotic disorder

E) Schizoaffective disorder

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This question was created on December 29, 2006 by .
This question was last modified on December 29, 2006.

ANSWERS AND EXPLANATIONS

A) schizophrenia

This answer is incorrect.

The diagnosis of schizophrenia requires at least 6 months of continuous signs of psychological disturbance. This 6-month period must include at least 1 month of "active-phase" symptoms: delusions, halucinations, disorganized speech, grossly disorganized or catatonic behavior, or negative symptoms (affective flattening, alogia, or avolition). This patient's psychosis has an obvious organic cause. (See References)


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B) psychotic disorder due to a general medical condition

This answer is correct.

The diagnosis of psychotic disorder due to a general medical condition is made when findings of delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech, or grossly disorganized behavior are attributable to the direct physiological effects of a general medical condition. This patient has exam findings suggestive of meningitis, which can explain the psychotic symptoms. (See References)


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C) schizophreniform disorder

This answer is incorrect.

The diagnosis of schizophreniform disorder is made when psychotic symptoms last more than 1 month, but less than 6 months. After 6 months, a diagnosis of schizophrenia can be made. Prior to 1 month, a diagnosis of brief psychotic disorder should be considered. This patient's psychosis has an obvious organic cause. (See References)


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D) substance-induced psychotic disorder

This answer is incorrect.

The diagnosis of substance-induced psychotic disorder is made when findings of delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech, or grossly disorganized behavior are attributable to the direct physiological effects of a medication, drug of abuse, toxin, or other substance. This patient has no known substance exposures. (See References)


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E) schizoaffective disorder

This answer is incorrect.

Schizoaffective disorder is a manifestation of both psychotic symptoms and mood disorder. The diagnosis requires a period of at least 2 weeks during which the patient suffers from hallucinations or delusions in the absence of prominent mood symptoms. This patient's psychosis has an obvious organic cause. (See References)


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References:

1. American Psychiatric Association (2000). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fourth Edition, Text Revision. American Pyschiatric Association, Washington, DC. (ISBN:0890420254)

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anatomy
Psychoses 01
Question ID: 12290600
Question written by . (C) FrontalCortex.com 2006-2009, all rights reserved. Created: 12/29/2006
Modified: 12/29/2006
Estimated Permutations: 0