PTSD Practice Questions

**[PTSD]** **Diagnostic Criteria & Prevalence Questions** 1. **At what age must symptoms appear for a diagnosis of Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD)?** - A\) Before 6 months - B\) Before 9 months - C\) Before 5 years - D\) Before 10 years **Answer: C) Before 5 ye...

**[PTSD]** **Diagnostic Criteria & Prevalence Questions** 1. **At what age must symptoms appear for a diagnosis of Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD)?** - A\) Before 6 months - B\) Before 9 months - C\) Before 5 years - D\) Before 10 years **Answer: C) Before 5 years** 2. **What is the minimum developmental age required for a diagnosis of Disinhibited Social Engagement Disorder (DSED)?** - A\) 6 months - B\) 9 months - C\) 12 months - D\) 24 months **Answer: B) 9 months** 3. **What percentage of children in the U.S. experience at least one traumatic event by age 16?** - A\) 50% - B\) 60% - C\) 66% - D\) 75% **Answer: D) 75%** 4. **Which traumatic event carries the highest risk for developing PTSD?** - A\) War combat - B\) Rape - C\) Car accident - D\) Natural disaster **Answer: B) Rape** *(65% of men, 46% of women develop PTSD following rape)* 5. **What is the PTSD prevalence rate among Vietnam War veterans?** - A\) 9.1% - B\) 13.2% - C\) 18.7% - D\) 25.4% **Answer: C) 18.7%** *(Lifetime prevalence)* **Neurobiological & Psychological Effects of PTSD** 6. **Which brain region is primarily responsible for triggering the fight-or-flight response in PTSD?** - A\) Prefrontal cortex - B\) Amygdala - C\) Hippocampus - D\) Thalamus **Answer: B) Amygdala** 7. **Which brain structure is responsible for memory processing and is often affected in PTSD?** - A\) Amygdala - B\) Hippocampus - C\) Prefrontal cortex - D\) Basal ganglia **Answer: B) Hippocampus** 8. **Which neurotransmitter is primarily involved in hyperarousal symptoms in PTSD?** - A\) Dopamine - B\) Serotonin - C\) Norepinephrine - D\) GABA **Answer: C) Norepinephrine** 9. **Which cognitive function is often impaired in individuals with PTSD due to prefrontal cortex dysfunction?** - A\) Memory recall - B\) Emotional regulation - C\) Language processing - D\) Motor coordination **Answer: B) Emotional regulation** 10. **Which language center in the brain is affected in PTSD, making it difficult for patients to articulate their experiences?** - A\) Broca's area - B\) Wernicke's area - C\) Basal ganglia - D\) Cerebellum **Answer: A) Broca's area** **PTSD Diagnosis & Risk Factors** 11. **How long must symptoms persist for a PTSD diagnosis?** - A\) 1 week - B\) 2 weeks - C\) 1 month - D\) 3 months **Answer: C) 1 month** 12. **Which of the following is NOT a diagnostic criterion for PTSD?** - A\) Intrusive symptoms - B\) Depersonalization - C\) Avoidance behaviors - D\) Hyperarousal **Answer: B) Depersonalization** *(A feature of **Dissociative PTSD**, but not required for standard PTSD diagnosis)* 13. **Which risk factor is most associated with chronic PTSD?** - A\) Lack of social support - B\) Male gender - C\) Low emotional intelligence - D\) Frequent nightmares **Answer: A) Lack of social support** 14. **Which internal trigger is most commonly associated with PTSD flashbacks?** - A\) Loud noises - B\) Certain smells - C\) Increased heart rate - D\) Physical pain **Answer: C) Increased heart rate** *(Triggers physiological memories of trauma)* 15. **Which peritraumatic factor significantly increases the likelihood of developing PTSD?** - A\) Low education level - B\) Dissociation at the time of trauma - C\) Male gender - D\) Having pre-existing OCD **Answer: B) Dissociation at the time of trauma** **PTSD Treatments & Pharmacology** 16. **Which two SSRIs are FDA-approved for PTSD?** - A\) Sertraline & Paroxetine - B\) Fluoxetine & Escitalopram - C\) Venlafaxine & Bupropion - D\) Trazodone & Mirtazapine **Answer: A) Sertraline & Paroxetine** 17. **Which medication is most effective for treating PTSD-related nightmares?** - A\) Fluoxetine - B\) Prazosin - C\) Clonidine - D\) Trazodone **Answer: B) Prazosin** 18. **Which medication is used off-label to reduce PTSD hyperarousal if given immediately after trauma?** - A\) Propranolol - B\) Bupropion - C\) Diazepam - D\) Ketamine **Answer: A) Propranolol** *(Beta-blockers may reduce consolidation of traumatic memories)* 19. **Which psychotherapy is the most widely used trauma-focused therapy for PTSD?** - A\) DBT - B\) EMDR - C\) Psychoanalysis - D\) Exposure Therapy **Answer: D) Exposure Therapy** *(Includes **Prolonged Exposure Therapy** techniques like script reading, VR, and real-world exposure)* 20. **Which PTSD therapy involves bilateral eye movements to process trauma?** - A\) EMDR - B\) CBT - C\) Biofeedback - D\) Mindfulness **Answer: A) EMDR** **Other Trauma & Stressor-Related Disorders** 21. **How does Acute Stress Disorder differ from PTSD?** - A\) Symptoms last **less than** 1 month - B\) Symptoms appear **immediately** after trauma - C\) Symptoms include hallucinations - D\) Treatment is different from PTSD **Answer: A) Symptoms last less than 1 month** 22. **Which disorder is commonly diagnosed following a major life stressor but does not meet PTSD criteria?** - A\) Acute Stress Disorder - B\) Dissociative Disorder - C\) Adjustment Disorder - D\) Panic Disorder **Answer: C) Adjustment Disorder** 23. **What is the maximum duration for an acute Adjustment Disorder?** - A\) 3 months - B\) 6 months - C\) 12 months - D\) Indefinite **Answer: B) 6 months** *(Chronic if \>6 months)* 24. **Which therapy is most effective for treating PTSD in children?** - A\) EMDR - B\) TF-CBT - C\) DBT - D\) Exposure Therapy **Answer: B) TF-CBT** *(Trauma-Focused CBT is first-line for pediatric PTSD)* 25. **Which class of medications should be avoided after trauma due to increased PTSD risk?** - A\) SSRIs - B\) Benzodiazepines - C\) Beta-blockers - D\) Mood stabilizers **Answer: B) Benzodiazepines** *(Interferes with fear extinction & may worsen PTSD)* **Neurobiology & Pathophysiology of PTSD** 1. **Which brain structure remains \"timeless\" in PTSD?** - A\) Hippocampus - B\) Amygdala - C\) Prefrontal cortex - D\) Thalamus **Answer: B) Amygdala** 2. **Which neurotransmitter is elevated in PTSD and responsible for hypervigilance and startle response?** - A\) Dopamine - B\) Serotonin - C\) Norepinephrine - D\) GABA **Answer: C) Norepinephrine** 3. **Which brain structure is offline in PTSD?** - A\) Prefrontal cortex - B\) Amygdala - C\) Hippocampus - D\) Cerebellum **Answer: A) Prefrontal cortex** 4. **What hormone is dysregulated in PTSD, leading to chronic hyperarousal and stress reactivity?** - A\) Dopamine - B\) Cortisol - C\) Serotonin - D\) Oxytocin **Answer: B) Cortisol** 5. **Which structure in PTSD is responsible for memory fragmentation and flashbacks?** - A\) Hippocampus - B\) Amygdala - C\) Basal ganglia - D\) Prefrontal cortex **Answer: A) Hippocampus** **PTSD Triggers & Risk Factors** 6. **Which internal trigger is a hallmark of PTSD and can cause re-experiencing symptoms?** - A\) Loud noises - B\) Increased heart rate - C\) Flashing lights - D\) Specific colors **Answer: B) Increased heart rate** 7. **Which factor is the strongest predictor of PTSD development after trauma?** - A\) Severity of trauma - B\) Dissociation at the time of trauma - C\) Gender - D\) Socioeconomic status **Answer: B) Dissociation at the time of trauma** 8. **Which population is at highest risk for PTSD following trauma exposure?** - A\) Young children - B\) Combat veterans - C\) Women survivors of rape - D\) First responders **Answer: C) Women survivors of rape** *(65% of men and 46% of women who experience rape develop PTSD)* 9. **What is the lifetime prevalence of PTSD among U.S. combat veterans?** - A\) 9.1% - B\) 13.2% - C\) 18.7% - D\) 20.5% **Answer: C) 18.7%** *(Among Vietnam veterans)* 10. **Which peritraumatic factor is associated with increased PTSD risk?** - A\) High intelligence - B\) Strong emotional resilience - C\) Panic attack during trauma - D\) Military training **Answer: C) Panic attack during trauma** *(Excessive peritraumatic physiological activation increases PTSD risk)* **PTSD Diagnosis & Clinical Features** 11. **What is the minimum duration of PTSD symptoms required for diagnosis?** - A\) 1 week - B\) 2 weeks - C\) 1 month - D\) 3 months **Answer: C) 1 month** 12. **Which of the following does NOT count as a PTSD-qualifying trauma?** - A\) Witnessing a murder - B\) Repeated exposure to violent images on social media - C\) Experiencing sexual assault - D\) Being a first responder at a mass casualty event **Answer: B) Repeated exposure to violent images on social media** *(Unless work-related, like for first responders)* 13. **Which of the following is a required intrusion symptom for PTSD diagnosis?** - A\) Emotional numbness - B\) Flashbacks - C\) Sleep disturbances - D\) Social withdrawal **Answer: B) Flashbacks** 14. **What is the most common comorbid disorder in individuals with PTSD?** - A\) Bipolar disorder - B\) Substance use disorder - C\) Schizophrenia - D\) Autism spectrum disorder **Answer: B) Substance use disorder** *(PTSD patients are 3x more likely to have SUD)* 15. **Which symptom is required in PTSD to meet the negative cognition and mood criteria?** - A\) Hyperarousal - B\) Emotional detachment - C\) Increased startle response - D\) Avoidance of social situations **Answer: B) Emotional detachment** **PTSD Treatment & Management** 16. **Which first-line pharmacologic treatment is FDA-approved for PTSD?** - A\) Fluoxetine - B\) Sertraline - C\) Venlafaxine - D\) Mirtazapine **Answer: B) Sertraline** *(Along with Paroxetine, these are FDA-approved for PTSD)* 17. **Which medication is most effective for PTSD-related nightmares?** - A\) Prazosin - B\) Diazepam - C\) Gabapentin - D\) Buspirone **Answer: A) Prazosin** *(Reduces trauma-related nightmares and hyperarousal)* 18. **Which class of medication should NOT be used to treat PTSD due to worsening symptoms?** - A\) SSRIs - B\) Beta-blockers - C\) Benzodiazepines - D\) Antipsychotics **Answer: C) Benzodiazepines** *(Interfere with fear extinction and worsen PTSD prognosis)* 19. **Which non-pharmacologic therapy is considered first-line for PTSD?** - A\) Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) - B\) Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) - C\) EMDR - D\) Psychoanalysis **Answer: A) Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)** *(Specifically, Trauma-Focused CBT is first-line)* 20. **Which PTSD therapy involves bilateral eye movements to reduce trauma-related distress?** - A\) Exposure therapy - B\) EMDR - C\) Biofeedback - D\) DBT **Answer: B) EMDR** **Other Trauma & Stressor-Related Disorders** 21. **How does Acute Stress Disorder (ASD) differ from PTSD?** - A\) Symptoms last **less than** 1 month - B\) Symptoms appear **immediately** after trauma - C\) Symptoms include psychotic features - D\) ASD requires hospitalization **Answer: A) Symptoms last less than 1 month** 22. **Which disorder presents with PTSD-like symptoms but does NOT meet full PTSD criteria?** - A\) Panic disorder - B\) Generalized anxiety disorder - C\) Adjustment disorder - D\) Major depressive disorder **Answer: C) Adjustment disorder** 23. **Which treatment is most effective for treating PTSD in children?** - A\) EMDR - B\) TF-CBT - C\) Psychoanalysis - D\) Exposure therapy **Answer: B) TF-CBT** *(Trauma-Focused CBT is first-line for pediatric PTSD)* 24. **Which trauma-related disorder is most likely to develop before age 5?** - A\) PTSD - B\) Acute Stress Disorder - C\) Reactive Attachment Disorder - D\) Adjustment Disorder **Answer: C) Reactive Attachment Disorder** 25. **Which therapy is contraindicated in PTSD treatment because it may increase distress?** - A\) EMDR - B\) Group therapy - C\) Exposure therapy - D\) Mandatory debriefing **Answer: D) Mandatory debriefing** *(Required debriefing can re-traumatize patients)*