Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board (PLAB) Practice Exam

Which syndrome is characterized by a patient responding to questions with approximate or outrageous answers?

1. Weber's syndrome

2. Ganser syndrome

3. Parkinson's disease

4. Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease

The correct answer is: Ganser syndrome

Ganser syndrome is characterized by the phenomenon where a patient provides approximate or outrageous answers to questions. This condition is often associated with dissociative disorders and is thought to arise from extreme stress or trauma. Patients may display a kind of "approximate answering," where they respond vaguely or inaccurately to straightforward questions, demonstrating a confusion in thought processes. This peculiar response style is a key feature that helps distinguish Ganser syndrome from other mental health conditions. Weber's syndrome, Parkinson's disease, and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease do not typically present with this kind of response pattern. Instead, Weber's syndrome is related to a stroke affecting specific brain regions, leading to motor deficits and other neurological symptoms. Parkinson's disease involves movement disorders and does not feature the specific cognitive disorganization evident in Ganser syndrome. Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease is a rapidly progressive neurodegenerative disorder that primarily affects cognition, motor function, and leads to distinctive behavioral changes but does not typically elicit approximate or outrageous answering as a notable symptom.