Rosh Psychiatry Board Practice Exam

A woman experiences persistent health concerns with no identified medical cause. What is the most useful screening test?

1. Colonoscopy

2. Low-dose helical computed tomography

3. Alpha-fetoprotein blood test

4. Somatic Symptom Scale-8

The correct answer is: Somatic Symptom Scale-8

In the scenario of a woman experiencing persistent health concerns with no identified medical cause, the most useful screening test would be the Somatic Symptom Scale-8. This tool is designed to assess somatic symptoms and the distress associated with them, which is particularly relevant in the context of somatic symptom disorder. The Somatic Symptom Scale-8 allows clinicians to evaluate the severity and the impact of the symptoms on the patient’s life. It focuses on psychological aspects, such as the anxiety and concern that accompany physical symptoms, which often do not have a clear medical basis. This scale is supportive in determining whether further psychological evaluation or treatment may be beneficial for the individual. Other screening tests like colonoscopy, low-dose helical computed tomography, or the alpha-fetoprotein blood test are more suited for evaluating specific medical conditions, and they do not address the psychological aspects of persistent health concerns without a medical explanation. These tests would be more appropriate if there were clinical indications for serious underlying conditions, which is not the case in this scenario as there are no identified medical causes.