Wonderlic Test 2026/2027 | Newest Wonderlic Cognitive Ability Test
Study Guide, Wonderlic Test Prep, Pre-Employment Assessment
Practice, Cognitive Ability Questions, Numerical Reasoning, Verbal
Reasoning, Logical Reasoning, Problem Solving, Time Management,
Practice Questions & Answers
Question 1: A nurse is assessing a client with major depressive disorder who
reports anhedonia. Which statement by the client best reflects this symptom?
A. "I feel sad all the time and cry frequently."
B. "I can't seem to enjoy anything I used to love doing."
C. "I have trouble falling asleep and wake up early."
D. "I feel worthless and like a burden to my family."
CORRECT ANSWER: B. "I can't seem to enjoy anything I used to love doing."
Rationale: Anhedonia is defined as the loss of pleasure or interest in activities that
were previously enjoyable. While sadness (A), sleep disturbances (C), and feelings
of worthlessness (D) are common in depression, anhedonia specifically refers to
the inability to experience pleasure.
Question 2: A client with bipolar disorder in a manic episode is exhibiting
pressured speech and flight of ideas. Which nursing intervention is the priority?
A. Encourage the client to rest in a quiet environment.
B. Engage the client in a lengthy discussion about their plans.
C. Redirect the client to a structured, low-stimulation activity.
D. Allow the client to lead a group therapy session.
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Redirect the client to a structured, low-stimulation
activity.
Rationale: A client in a manic episode has excessive energy and poor impulse
control. A low-stimulation environment with structured activities reduces sensory
overload and promotes safety. Lengthy discussions (B) and group leadership (D)
would increase stimulation.
Question 3: A nurse is caring for a client experiencing severe anxiety. Which
initial nursing action is most appropriate?
,A. Teach the client deep breathing exercises.
B. Stay with the client and use a calm, reassuring approach.
C. Encourage the client to identify the source of anxiety.
D. Administer a PRN anxiolytic immediately.
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Stay with the client and use a calm, reassuring approach.
Rationale: A client with severe anxiety cannot process information or learn new
skills. The nurse's presence and calm demeanor provide safety and reduce
anxiety. Teaching (A), insight-oriented exploration (C), and medication (D) may be
appropriate later but not initially.
Question 4: A client with schizophrenia is experiencing auditory hallucinations.
Which nursing response is most therapeutic?
A. "Those voices aren't real; try to ignore them."
B. "What are the voices saying to you right now?"
C. "I don't hear any voices, but I can see you're distressed."
D. "Why do you think you're hearing voices today?"
CORRECT ANSWER: C. "I don't hear any voices, but I can see you're distressed."
Rationale: This response acknowledges the client's experience without reinforcing
the hallucination, presents reality without arguing, and validates the client's
distress. Arguing (A) creates distrust. Asking what voices say (B) reinforces the
hallucination. Asking "why" (D) is confrontational and non-therapeutic.
Question 5: A nurse is assessing a client with generalized anxiety disorder.
Which finding is most characteristic of this disorder?
A. Episodes of sudden, intense fear lasting minutes.
B. Persistent, excessive worry about multiple life circumstances.
C. Fear of specific objects or situations.
D. Repetitive, uncontrollable thoughts and rituals.
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Persistent, excessive worry about multiple life
circumstances.
Rationale: GAD is characterized by chronic, excessive, and uncontrollable worry
about various aspects of life. Panic attacks (A) are associated with panic disorder,
,phobias (C) involve specific feared stimuli, and obsessions/compulsions (D) are
features of OCD.
Question 6: A client prescribed lithium carbonate reports nausea, vomiting, and
coarse hand tremors. Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Administer the next scheduled dose.
B. Hold the medication and notify the provider.
C. Encourage increased fluid intake.
D. Reassure the client these are expected side effects.
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Hold the medication and notify the provider.
Rationale: Nausea, vomiting, and coarse hand tremors are signs of lithium toxicity
(therapeutic range 0.6–1.2 mEq/L; toxicity occurs above 1.5 mEq/L). The nurse
should hold the medication and notify the provider immediately. Continuing the
medication (A) or dismissing symptoms (D) could worsen toxicity.
Question 7: A nurse is caring for a client with borderline personality disorder
who engages in self-harm. Which intervention is most appropriate?
A. Assign different staff members each shift to prevent dependency.
B. Establish consistent, clear boundaries and consequences.
C. Allow the client to determine all aspects of their care.
D. Isolate the client when self-harm behaviors occur.
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Establish consistent, clear boundaries and consequences.
Rationale: Clients with BPD often test limits and have unstable relationships.
Consistent boundaries provide predictability and safety. Rotating staff (A)
worsens instability. Allowing total control (C) is unsafe. Isolation (D) is punitive
and not therapeutic.
Question 8: A client with PTSD reports recurrent nightmares and hypervigilance.
Which finding is a physiological manifestation of PTSD?
A. Bradycardia and hypotension.
B. Exaggerated startle response.
C. Increased need for sleep.
D. Decreased muscle tension.
, CORRECT ANSWER: B. Exaggerated startle response.
Rationale: PTSD involves a dysregulated stress response with hyperarousal
symptoms including hypervigilance, exaggerated startle, irritability, and sleep
disturbances. Bradycardia (A), increased sleep (C), and decreased muscle tension
(D) are inconsistent with the hyperarousal state.
Question 9: A nurse is providing education to a client prescribed phenelzine.
Which dietary instruction is most critical?
A. Increase intake of leafy green vegetables.
B. Avoid aged cheeses, cured meats, and fermented products.
C. Restrict fluid intake to prevent fluid overload.
D. Increase dietary fiber to prevent constipation.
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Avoid aged cheeses, cured meats, and fermented
products.
Rationale: Phenelzine is an MAOI. Tyramine-rich foods can precipitate a
hypertensive crisis. Aged cheeses, cured meats, and fermented products are high
in tyramine and must be avoided. The other options are not specific to MAOI
safety.
Question 10: A client with OCD spends hours each day washing their hands until
they bleed. Which nursing diagnosis is the priority?
A. Impaired Skin Integrity related to compulsive washing.
B. Anxiety related to obsessive thoughts.
C. Social Isolation related to ritualistic behavior.
D. Ineffective Coping related to compulsive behaviors.
CORRECT ANSWER: A. Impaired Skin Integrity related to compulsive washing.
Rationale: Physical safety and integrity take priority. The client's compulsive
washing has caused skin breakdown, which requires immediate nursing
intervention. While anxiety (B) underlies OCD, the physical harm from washing
must be addressed first.
Study Guide, Wonderlic Test Prep, Pre-Employment Assessment
Practice, Cognitive Ability Questions, Numerical Reasoning, Verbal
Reasoning, Logical Reasoning, Problem Solving, Time Management,
Practice Questions & Answers
Question 1: A nurse is assessing a client with major depressive disorder who
reports anhedonia. Which statement by the client best reflects this symptom?
A. "I feel sad all the time and cry frequently."
B. "I can't seem to enjoy anything I used to love doing."
C. "I have trouble falling asleep and wake up early."
D. "I feel worthless and like a burden to my family."
CORRECT ANSWER: B. "I can't seem to enjoy anything I used to love doing."
Rationale: Anhedonia is defined as the loss of pleasure or interest in activities that
were previously enjoyable. While sadness (A), sleep disturbances (C), and feelings
of worthlessness (D) are common in depression, anhedonia specifically refers to
the inability to experience pleasure.
Question 2: A client with bipolar disorder in a manic episode is exhibiting
pressured speech and flight of ideas. Which nursing intervention is the priority?
A. Encourage the client to rest in a quiet environment.
B. Engage the client in a lengthy discussion about their plans.
C. Redirect the client to a structured, low-stimulation activity.
D. Allow the client to lead a group therapy session.
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Redirect the client to a structured, low-stimulation
activity.
Rationale: A client in a manic episode has excessive energy and poor impulse
control. A low-stimulation environment with structured activities reduces sensory
overload and promotes safety. Lengthy discussions (B) and group leadership (D)
would increase stimulation.
Question 3: A nurse is caring for a client experiencing severe anxiety. Which
initial nursing action is most appropriate?
,A. Teach the client deep breathing exercises.
B. Stay with the client and use a calm, reassuring approach.
C. Encourage the client to identify the source of anxiety.
D. Administer a PRN anxiolytic immediately.
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Stay with the client and use a calm, reassuring approach.
Rationale: A client with severe anxiety cannot process information or learn new
skills. The nurse's presence and calm demeanor provide safety and reduce
anxiety. Teaching (A), insight-oriented exploration (C), and medication (D) may be
appropriate later but not initially.
Question 4: A client with schizophrenia is experiencing auditory hallucinations.
Which nursing response is most therapeutic?
A. "Those voices aren't real; try to ignore them."
B. "What are the voices saying to you right now?"
C. "I don't hear any voices, but I can see you're distressed."
D. "Why do you think you're hearing voices today?"
CORRECT ANSWER: C. "I don't hear any voices, but I can see you're distressed."
Rationale: This response acknowledges the client's experience without reinforcing
the hallucination, presents reality without arguing, and validates the client's
distress. Arguing (A) creates distrust. Asking what voices say (B) reinforces the
hallucination. Asking "why" (D) is confrontational and non-therapeutic.
Question 5: A nurse is assessing a client with generalized anxiety disorder.
Which finding is most characteristic of this disorder?
A. Episodes of sudden, intense fear lasting minutes.
B. Persistent, excessive worry about multiple life circumstances.
C. Fear of specific objects or situations.
D. Repetitive, uncontrollable thoughts and rituals.
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Persistent, excessive worry about multiple life
circumstances.
Rationale: GAD is characterized by chronic, excessive, and uncontrollable worry
about various aspects of life. Panic attacks (A) are associated with panic disorder,
,phobias (C) involve specific feared stimuli, and obsessions/compulsions (D) are
features of OCD.
Question 6: A client prescribed lithium carbonate reports nausea, vomiting, and
coarse hand tremors. Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Administer the next scheduled dose.
B. Hold the medication and notify the provider.
C. Encourage increased fluid intake.
D. Reassure the client these are expected side effects.
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Hold the medication and notify the provider.
Rationale: Nausea, vomiting, and coarse hand tremors are signs of lithium toxicity
(therapeutic range 0.6–1.2 mEq/L; toxicity occurs above 1.5 mEq/L). The nurse
should hold the medication and notify the provider immediately. Continuing the
medication (A) or dismissing symptoms (D) could worsen toxicity.
Question 7: A nurse is caring for a client with borderline personality disorder
who engages in self-harm. Which intervention is most appropriate?
A. Assign different staff members each shift to prevent dependency.
B. Establish consistent, clear boundaries and consequences.
C. Allow the client to determine all aspects of their care.
D. Isolate the client when self-harm behaviors occur.
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Establish consistent, clear boundaries and consequences.
Rationale: Clients with BPD often test limits and have unstable relationships.
Consistent boundaries provide predictability and safety. Rotating staff (A)
worsens instability. Allowing total control (C) is unsafe. Isolation (D) is punitive
and not therapeutic.
Question 8: A client with PTSD reports recurrent nightmares and hypervigilance.
Which finding is a physiological manifestation of PTSD?
A. Bradycardia and hypotension.
B. Exaggerated startle response.
C. Increased need for sleep.
D. Decreased muscle tension.
, CORRECT ANSWER: B. Exaggerated startle response.
Rationale: PTSD involves a dysregulated stress response with hyperarousal
symptoms including hypervigilance, exaggerated startle, irritability, and sleep
disturbances. Bradycardia (A), increased sleep (C), and decreased muscle tension
(D) are inconsistent with the hyperarousal state.
Question 9: A nurse is providing education to a client prescribed phenelzine.
Which dietary instruction is most critical?
A. Increase intake of leafy green vegetables.
B. Avoid aged cheeses, cured meats, and fermented products.
C. Restrict fluid intake to prevent fluid overload.
D. Increase dietary fiber to prevent constipation.
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Avoid aged cheeses, cured meats, and fermented
products.
Rationale: Phenelzine is an MAOI. Tyramine-rich foods can precipitate a
hypertensive crisis. Aged cheeses, cured meats, and fermented products are high
in tyramine and must be avoided. The other options are not specific to MAOI
safety.
Question 10: A client with OCD spends hours each day washing their hands until
they bleed. Which nursing diagnosis is the priority?
A. Impaired Skin Integrity related to compulsive washing.
B. Anxiety related to obsessive thoughts.
C. Social Isolation related to ritualistic behavior.
D. Ineffective Coping related to compulsive behaviors.
CORRECT ANSWER: A. Impaired Skin Integrity related to compulsive washing.
Rationale: Physical safety and integrity take priority. The client's compulsive
washing has caused skin breakdown, which requires immediate nursing
intervention. While anxiety (B) underlies OCD, the physical harm from washing
must be addressed first.
