Obsessive compulsive disorder — MCCQE Part 1 MCQ

Instant feedback + full explanation. One question, done properly.

ModerateAnxietyObsessive compulsive disorderMCCQE Part 1

A 23-year-old man spends 4 hours daily washing his hands because of intrusive contamination fears and recognises the behaviour is excessive. Which of the following is the most appropriate next step?

Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.

Reveal the answer and explanation

Correct answer: C — Offer CBT with exposure and response prevention and/or SSRI treatment

Offer CBT with exposure and response prevention and/or SSRI treatment is the single best answer because the age, timing, examination findings and investigations in the vignette fit Obsessive compulsive disorder better than the alternatives. The most tempting distractor is less appropriate because it either treats a neighbouring presentation, delays a time-critical intervention, or ignores a key discriminator in the stem. The remaining options are suboptimal because they would miss the diagnosis, use an investigation or treatment in the wrong sequence, or fail to address safety and follow-up. Canadian practice should be anchored to Canadian anxiety/OCD guidance, with attention to acuity, safety-netting and local provincial pathways.

Reference: Canadian anxiety/OCD guidance