USMLE USMLE Certifications USMLE-STEP-2 Questions & Answers

• Question 201:

  Identify the defense mechanisms of a person accusing another of being angry and jealous when the feelings belong to oneself

  A. acting out

  B. altruism

  C. displacement

  D. intellectualization

  E. passive-aggressive behavior

  F. projection

  G. rationalization

  H. reaction formation

  I. sublimation

  J. suppression

  Correct Answer: F

  Defense mechanisms provide a means for dealing with anxiety and affect. The mechanisms chosen range from the very narcissistic and immature to mature. In suppression, a person makes a conscious decision to put the conflict aside until it can be dealt with more appropriately. On the other hand, in acting out, there is little or no attempt to contain the affect, and it is directly expressed, as in name calling. Sublimation provides a channel for the indirect expression of a need or affect. Its use is positive and socially acceptable. In reaction formation, the person acts as if the strong need or affect did not exist and acts out the opposing feeling. In projection, unacceptable feelings and thoughts are denied as part of the self and instead are "put on" the other person.

• Question 202:

  Match the antidepressant with the side effect or characteristic of an SSRI with a half-life of 46 days

  A. phenelzine

  B. venlafaxine

  C. trazodone

  D. fluoxetine

  E. mirtazapine

  F. nortriptyline

  G. escitalopram

  Correct Answer: D

  Fluoxetine has the longest half-life of the current SSRIs (escitalopram's half-life is shorter--less than 24 hours), phenelzine is an MAOI and foods rich in tyramine can induce a hypertensive crisis. Venlafaxine can induce hypertension, especially at higher doses. Trazodone can rarely induce priapism (a painful sustained erection). Nortriptyline is a tricyclic antidepressant, and at high doses, it can cause arrhythmias.

• Question 203:

  Identify the defense mechanisms of a person being afraid of one's rage and anger and presenting as unusually meek and mild

  A. acting out

  B. altruism

  C. displacement

  D. intellectualization

  E. passive-aggressive behavior

  F. projection

  G. rationalization

  H. reaction formation

  I. sublimation

  J. suppression

  Correct Answer: H

  Defense mechanisms provide a means for dealing with anxiety and affect. The mechanisms chosen range from the very narcissistic and immature to mature. In suppression, a person makes a conscious decision to put the conflict aside until it can be dealt with more appropriately. On the other hand, in acting out, there is little or no attempt to contain the affect, and it is directly expressed, as in name calling. Sublimation provides a channel for the indirect expression of a need or affect. Its use is positive and socially acceptable. In reaction formation, the person acts as if the strong need or affect did not exist and acts out the opposing feeling. In projection, unacceptable feelings and thoughts are denied as part of the self and instead are "put on" the other person.

• Question 204:

  Identify the defense mechanisms with the descriptions below. Working as a nurse in a pediatric ward because one would like to have children but cannot

  A. acting out

  B. altruism

  C. displacement

  D. intellectualization

  E. passive-aggressive behavior

  F. projection

  G. rationalization

  H. reaction formation

  I. sublimation

  J. suppression

  Correct Answer: I

  Defense mechanisms provide a means for dealing with anxiety and affect. The mechanisms chosen range from the very narcissistic and immature to mature. In suppression, a person makes a conscious decision to put the conflict aside until it can be dealt with more appropriately. On the other hand, in acting out, there is little or no attempt to contain the affect, and it is directly expressed, as in name calling. Sublimation provides a channel for the indirect expression of a need or affect. Its use is positive and socially acceptable. In reaction formation, the person acts as if the strong need or affect did not exist and acts out the opposing feeling. In projection, unacceptable feelings and thoughts are denied as part of the self and instead are "put on" the other person.

• Question 205:

  Identify the defense mechanisms of a person becoming angry with one's spouse at a party and calling him or her a name in front of everyone

  A. acting out

  B. altruism

  C. displacement

  D. intellectualization

  E. passive-aggressive behavior

  F. projection

  G. rationalization

  H. reaction formation

  I. sublimation

  J. suppression

  Correct Answer: A

  Defense mechanisms provide a means for dealing with anxiety and affect. The mechanisms chosen range from the very narcissistic and immature to mature. In suppression, a person makes a conscious decision to put the conflict aside until it can be dealt with more appropriately. On the other hand, in acting out, there is little or no attempt to contain the affect, and it is directly expressed, as in name calling. Sublimation provides a channel for the indirect expression of a need or affect. Its use is positive and socially acceptable. In reaction formation, the person acts as if the strong need or affect did not exist and acts out the opposing feeling. In projection, unacceptable feelings and thoughts are denied as part of the self and instead are "put on" the other person.

• Question 206:

  Identify the following personality disorders with the symptoms listed below. Chronic feelings of emptiness, fear of abandonment; unstable self-image

  A. antisocial

  B. avoidant

  C. borderline

  D. dependent

  E. histrionic

  F. narcissistic

  G. obsessive-compulsive

  H. paranoid

  I. schizoid

  J. schizotypal

  Correct Answer: C

  Persons with personality disorders are rigidly bound to the use of patterns of defense and various traits that distinguish the disorders. All have problems with interpersonal relationships

• Question 207:

  Identify the following personality disorders with the symptoms listed below. Unwilling to take personal risks; perceives self as inept, unappealing, inferior

  A. antisocial

  B. avoidant

  C. borderline

  D. dependent

  E. histrionic

  F. narcissistic

  G. obsessive-compulsive

  H. paranoid

  I. schizoid

  J. schizotypal

  Correct Answer: B

  Persons with personality disorders are rigidly bound to the use of patterns of defense and various traits that distinguish the disorders. All have problems with interpersonal relationships

• Question 208:

  Identify the defense mechanisms with the descriptions below. Becoming angry with one's spouse at a party and deciding to wait until a more appropriate time to express it

  A. acting out

  B. altruism

  C. displacement

  D. intellectualization

  E. passive-aggressive behavior

  F. projection

  G. rationalization

  H. reaction formation

  I. sublimation

  J. suppression

  Correct Answer: J

  Defense mechanisms provide a means for dealing with anxiety and affect. The mechanisms chosen range from the very narcissistic and immature to mature. In suppression, a person makes a conscious decision to put the conflict aside until it can be dealt with more appropriately. On the other hand, in acting out, there is little or no attempt to contain the affect, and it is directly expressed, as in name calling. Sublimation provides a channel for the indirect expression of a need or affect. Its use is positive and socially acceptable. In reaction formation, the person acts as if the strong need or affect did not exist and acts out the opposing feeling. In projection, unacceptable feelings and thoughts are denied as part of the self and instead are "put on" the other person.

• Question 209:

  Identify the following personality disorders with the symptoms listed below. Is quick to perceive a slight as an attack or assault on one's character

  A. antisocial

  B. avoidant

  C. borderline

  D. dependent

  E. histrionic

  F. narcissistic

  G. obsessive-compulsive

  H. paranoid

  I. schizoid

  J. schizotypal

  Correct Answer: H

  Persons with personality disorders are rigidly bound to the use of patterns of defense and various traits that distinguish the disorders. All have problems with interpersonal relationships.

• Question 210:

  Identify the following personality disorders with the symptoms listed below. Seems to not care what others think or feel; is aloof

  A. antisocial

  B. avoidant

  C. borderline

  D. dependent

  E. histrionic

  F. narcissistic

  G. obsessive-compulsive

  H. paranoid

  I. schizoid

  J. schizotypal

  Correct Answer: I

  Persons with personality disorders are rigidly bound to the use of patterns of defense and various traits that distinguish the disorders. All have problems with interpersonal relationships