D449 Psychiatric & Mental Health Objective Assessment Practice 2026 UPDATE |WGU
1. Which therapeutic communication technique involves repeating the main idea of what the
patient said back to them?
A. Restating
B. Focusing
C. Summarizing
D. Offering self
Answer: A
Rationale: Restating allows the nurse to verify understanding by repeating the client’s
main thoughts.
2. A patient with Lithium levels at 1.8 mEq/L would likely exhibit which sign of toxicity?
A. Hyperactivity and insomnia
B. Coarse hand tremors and vomiting
C. Increased appetite and weight gain
D. Hypertension and tachycardia
Answer: B
,Rationale: Lithium toxicity (usually >1.5 mEq/L) is characterized by coarse tremors, GI
upset, and ataxia.
3. Which neurotransmitter is primarily targeted by Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors
(SSRIs)?
A. Dopamine
B. Norepinephrine
C. Serotonin
D. Acetylcholine
Answer: C
Rationale: SSRIs work by inhibiting the reuptake of serotonin, increasing its availability in
the synaptic cleft.
4. A client is experiencing extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS) from Haloperidol. Which
medication is the treatment of choice?
A. Risperidone
B. Lorazepam
C. Benztropine
D. Fluoxetine
Answer: C
, Rationale: Benztropine is an anticholinergic used to reverse acute dystonia and other EPS
symptoms.
5. What is the primary characteristic of the defense mechanism ‘Displacement’?
A. Attributing one’s own unacceptable feelings to another person
B. Transferring emotions from a threatening object to a less threatening one
C. Refusing to acknowledge a painful reality
D. Developing a physical symptom to deal with psychological stress
Answer: B
Rationale: Displacement involves shifting feelings from the original source of stress to a
safer target.
6. According to the DSM-5, how long must symptoms last for a diagnosis of Generalized
Anxiety Disorder (GAD)?
A. At least 6 months
B. At least 1 month
C. At least 2 weeks
D. At least 1 year
Answer: A
Rationale: GAD requires excessive anxiety and worry occurring more days than not for at
least 6 months.
1. Which therapeutic communication technique involves repeating the main idea of what the
patient said back to them?
A. Restating
B. Focusing
C. Summarizing
D. Offering self
Answer: A
Rationale: Restating allows the nurse to verify understanding by repeating the client’s
main thoughts.
2. A patient with Lithium levels at 1.8 mEq/L would likely exhibit which sign of toxicity?
A. Hyperactivity and insomnia
B. Coarse hand tremors and vomiting
C. Increased appetite and weight gain
D. Hypertension and tachycardia
Answer: B
,Rationale: Lithium toxicity (usually >1.5 mEq/L) is characterized by coarse tremors, GI
upset, and ataxia.
3. Which neurotransmitter is primarily targeted by Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors
(SSRIs)?
A. Dopamine
B. Norepinephrine
C. Serotonin
D. Acetylcholine
Answer: C
Rationale: SSRIs work by inhibiting the reuptake of serotonin, increasing its availability in
the synaptic cleft.
4. A client is experiencing extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS) from Haloperidol. Which
medication is the treatment of choice?
A. Risperidone
B. Lorazepam
C. Benztropine
D. Fluoxetine
Answer: C
, Rationale: Benztropine is an anticholinergic used to reverse acute dystonia and other EPS
symptoms.
5. What is the primary characteristic of the defense mechanism ‘Displacement’?
A. Attributing one’s own unacceptable feelings to another person
B. Transferring emotions from a threatening object to a less threatening one
C. Refusing to acknowledge a painful reality
D. Developing a physical symptom to deal with psychological stress
Answer: B
Rationale: Displacement involves shifting feelings from the original source of stress to a
safer target.
6. According to the DSM-5, how long must symptoms last for a diagnosis of Generalized
Anxiety Disorder (GAD)?
A. At least 6 months
B. At least 1 month
C. At least 2 weeks
D. At least 1 year
Answer: A
Rationale: GAD requires excessive anxiety and worry occurring more days than not for at
least 6 months.
