WGU D449 Psychiatric & Mental Health Objective Assessment Study Guide 2026 UPDATE
|WGU
1. A patient taking Haloperidol suddenly develops a high fever, muscle rigidity, and
tachycardia. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome
B. Serotonin Syndrome
C. Tardive Dyskinesia
D. Akathisia
Answer: A
Rationale: Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS) is a life-threatening reaction to
antipsychotics characterized by fever, muscle rigidity, and autonomic instability.
2. What is the therapeutic blood level range for Lithium?
A. 0.1 to 0.5 mEq/L
B. 0.6 to 1.2 mEq/L
C. 1.5 to 2.5 mEq/L
D. 3.0 to 4.5 mEq/L
Answer: B
,Rationale: The therapeutic range for Lithium is 0.6 to 1.2 mEq/L. Levels above 1.5 are
considered toxic.
3. A patient with Borderline Personality Disorder alternates between idealizing and devaluing
their nurse. This is known as:
A. Projection
B. Reaction Formation
C. Rationalization
D. Splitting
Answer: D
Rationale: Splitting is a defense mechanism common in Borderline PD where individuals
see people as all good or all bad.
4. Which dietary restriction is necessary for a patient taking a Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitor
(MAOI)?
A. Low-tyramine diet
B. Low-sodium diet
C. Gluten-free diet
D. Low-fat diet
Answer: A
, Rationale: MAOIs interact with tyramine-rich foods (like aged cheese and wine) to cause a
hypertensive crisis.
5. Which medication requires regular monitoring of the Absolute Neutrophil Count (ANC)?
A. Risperidone
B. Clozapine
C. Quetiapine
D. Olanzapine
Answer: B
Rationale: Clozapine can cause agranulocytosis, a dangerous drop in white blood cells,
requiring weekly or monthly blood monitoring.
6. A patient presents with a ‘waxy flexibility’ and remains in the same position for hours. This
is a symptom of:
A. Paranoid Schizophrenia
B. Bipolar Mania
C. Catatonic Schizophrenia
D. Conversion Disorder
Answer: C
Rationale: Waxy flexibility is a hallmark symptom of catatonic behavior in schizophrenia.
|WGU
1. A patient taking Haloperidol suddenly develops a high fever, muscle rigidity, and
tachycardia. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome
B. Serotonin Syndrome
C. Tardive Dyskinesia
D. Akathisia
Answer: A
Rationale: Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS) is a life-threatening reaction to
antipsychotics characterized by fever, muscle rigidity, and autonomic instability.
2. What is the therapeutic blood level range for Lithium?
A. 0.1 to 0.5 mEq/L
B. 0.6 to 1.2 mEq/L
C. 1.5 to 2.5 mEq/L
D. 3.0 to 4.5 mEq/L
Answer: B
,Rationale: The therapeutic range for Lithium is 0.6 to 1.2 mEq/L. Levels above 1.5 are
considered toxic.
3. A patient with Borderline Personality Disorder alternates between idealizing and devaluing
their nurse. This is known as:
A. Projection
B. Reaction Formation
C. Rationalization
D. Splitting
Answer: D
Rationale: Splitting is a defense mechanism common in Borderline PD where individuals
see people as all good or all bad.
4. Which dietary restriction is necessary for a patient taking a Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitor
(MAOI)?
A. Low-tyramine diet
B. Low-sodium diet
C. Gluten-free diet
D. Low-fat diet
Answer: A
, Rationale: MAOIs interact with tyramine-rich foods (like aged cheese and wine) to cause a
hypertensive crisis.
5. Which medication requires regular monitoring of the Absolute Neutrophil Count (ANC)?
A. Risperidone
B. Clozapine
C. Quetiapine
D. Olanzapine
Answer: B
Rationale: Clozapine can cause agranulocytosis, a dangerous drop in white blood cells,
requiring weekly or monthly blood monitoring.
6. A patient presents with a ‘waxy flexibility’ and remains in the same position for hours. This
is a symptom of:
A. Paranoid Schizophrenia
B. Bipolar Mania
C. Catatonic Schizophrenia
D. Conversion Disorder
Answer: C
Rationale: Waxy flexibility is a hallmark symptom of catatonic behavior in schizophrenia.
