Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) Practice Test

Disable ads (and more) with a membership for a one time $2.99 payment

Prepare for the Registered Practical Nurse Exam with an immersive quiz experience. Utilize flashcards and multiple choice questions, all paired with helpful hints and explanations. Start your journey towards certification success today!

Practice this question and more.


What is the most likely diagnosis for a client who reports hearing voices and feeling followed for the past two weeks during a major depressive episode?

  1. Schizophrenia

  2. Schizoaffective disorder

  3. Major depressive disorder

  4. Bipolar disorder

The correct answer is: Schizoaffective disorder

The most likely diagnosis for a client who reports hearing voices and feeling followed during a major depressive episode aligns with schizoaffective disorder. This condition is characterized by the presence of mood disorder symptoms—such as those found in major depressive disorder—alongside psychotic features such as hallucinations or delusions that occur even when mood symptoms are not at their peak. In this case, the presence of auditory hallucinations (hearing voices) and paranoia (feeling followed) indicates a psychotic element that is typically associated with schizoaffective disorder. This diagnosis would apply particularly if these symptoms are concurrent with the mood disorder symptoms over the duration specified. It is important to note that while schizophrenia could also involve similar hallucinations, it usually requires a significant duration of at least six months of dysfunction alongside psychotic symptoms without the presence of mood disorder symptoms. In contrast, major depressive disorder primarily encompasses significant depressive symptoms without intrinsic psychotic features. Bipolar disorder also may involve psychotic features; however, the specific context of a major depressive episode along with the reported symptoms suggests schizoaffective disorder is a more fitting diagnosis in this scenario. The accuracy of recognizing the interaction between mood symptoms and psychotic experiences is crucial in distinguishing between these disorders,