Behavioral Science & Ethics USMLE Step 1 Practice Question
A 34-year-old woman presents to her primary care physician with a 3-week history of depressed mood, fatigue, difficulty concentrating at work, and decreased appetite following the finalization of her divorce. She denies suicidal ideation and continues to enjoy activities with her children on weekends. She reports that her work performance has declined and she has called in sick twice. Physical examination and laboratory studies are unremarkable. Which of the following criteria must be met to diagnose major depressive disorder in this patient according to DSM-5?
Answer choices
- AAt least 2 weeks of depressed mood or anhedonia as the sole diagnostic criterion, with functional impairment in occupational and social domains
- BAt least 2 weeks of depressed mood or anhedonia plus a minimum of 4 additional symptoms from the diagnostic criteria, with clinically significant functional impairmentCorrect answer
- CAt least 2 weeks of anhedonia (inability to enjoy activities) as the primary symptom plus 5 additional neurovegetative symptoms, regardless of functional status
- DAt least 4 weeks of depressed mood preceded by an identifiable psychosocial stressor, with documentation of prior depressive episodes
- EAt least 3 weeks of depressed mood and anhedonia simultaneously, plus active suicidal ideation or intent to cause self-harm
- FAt least 2 weeks of depressed mood plus fatigue and sleep disturbance, with the diagnosis contingent on absence of all other psychiatric conditions
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