WGU D344 – ASSESSMENT AND DIAGNOSTIC
PROCESSES OF PSYCHIATRIC NURSE PRACTITIONER
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS WITH
RATIONALES 100% GUARANTEED PASS!!
<LATEST VERSION>
1.
A 34-year-old client reports feeling “down most days,” low energy, and loss of
interest in hobbies for the past 3 weeks. They deny suicidal ideation. Which
screening tool is most appropriate as a first step?
A. MMSE
B. PHQ-9
C. GAD-7
D. AUDIT-C
Answer: B. PHQ-9
Rationale: The PHQ-9 is the standard screening tool for depressive symptoms and
severity assessment. The MMSE evaluates cognition, GAD-7 assesses anxiety, and
AUDIT-C screens for alcohol use.
,2.
A client scores 18 on the PHQ-9. How should this score be interpreted?
A. Minimal depression
B. Mild depression
C. Moderate depression
D. Severe depression
Answer: C. Moderate depression
Rationale: PHQ-9 scoring: 15–19 indicates moderate depression.
3.
During a mental status exam, a client speaks rapidly, shifts topics frequently, and
makes loose associations. This is best described as:
A. Flight of ideas
B. Circumstantial thinking
C. Thought blocking
D. Perseveration
Answer: A. Flight of ideas
Rationale: Flight of ideas involves rapid shifting between loosely connected
topics, often seen in mania.
4.
A 72-year-old client is being evaluated for cognitive decline. Which tool is most
appropriate?
A. GAD-7
B. MMSE
C. PHQ-9
D. CAGE questionnaire
,Answer: B. MMSE
Rationale: The Mini-Mental State Examination assesses orientation, memory,
attention, and cognition.
5.
Which finding best reflects euthymic mood?
A. Irritable and angry
B. Emotionally flat
C. Stable, appropriate mood
D. Exaggerated happiness
Answer: C. Stable, appropriate mood
Rationale: Euthymic refers to a normal, stable mood state.
6.
A client states, “I drink because it helps me cope, but I know it’s causing
problems.” Which stage of change is this?
A. Precontemplation
B. Contemplation
C. Preparation (Determination)
D. Maintenance
Answer: B. Contemplation
Rationale: The client recognizes the problem but has not committed to action.
7.
Which behavior is most consistent with motivational interviewing?
A. Confronting denial directly
B. Providing unsolicited advice
C. Exploring ambivalence
D. Setting strict behavioral rules
, Answer: C. Exploring ambivalence
Rationale: Motivational interviewing focuses on collaboration and resolving
ambivalence.
8.
A client reports hearing voices that comment on their actions. This is classified as:
A. Visual hallucination
B. Auditory hallucination
C. Illusion
D. Delusion
Answer: B. Auditory hallucination
Rationale: Auditory hallucinations are the most common in psychotic disorders.
9.
Which MSE component assesses ability to perform serial 7s or spell “world”
backward?
A. Insight
B. Cognition
C. Judgment
D. Affect
Answer: B. Cognition
Rationale: These tasks evaluate attention and concentration under cognition.
10.
A client has a GAD-7 score of 16. This indicates:
A. Mild anxiety
B. Moderate anxiety
C. Severe anxiety
D. No anxiety disorder
PROCESSES OF PSYCHIATRIC NURSE PRACTITIONER
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS WITH
RATIONALES 100% GUARANTEED PASS!!
<LATEST VERSION>
1.
A 34-year-old client reports feeling “down most days,” low energy, and loss of
interest in hobbies for the past 3 weeks. They deny suicidal ideation. Which
screening tool is most appropriate as a first step?
A. MMSE
B. PHQ-9
C. GAD-7
D. AUDIT-C
Answer: B. PHQ-9
Rationale: The PHQ-9 is the standard screening tool for depressive symptoms and
severity assessment. The MMSE evaluates cognition, GAD-7 assesses anxiety, and
AUDIT-C screens for alcohol use.
,2.
A client scores 18 on the PHQ-9. How should this score be interpreted?
A. Minimal depression
B. Mild depression
C. Moderate depression
D. Severe depression
Answer: C. Moderate depression
Rationale: PHQ-9 scoring: 15–19 indicates moderate depression.
3.
During a mental status exam, a client speaks rapidly, shifts topics frequently, and
makes loose associations. This is best described as:
A. Flight of ideas
B. Circumstantial thinking
C. Thought blocking
D. Perseveration
Answer: A. Flight of ideas
Rationale: Flight of ideas involves rapid shifting between loosely connected
topics, often seen in mania.
4.
A 72-year-old client is being evaluated for cognitive decline. Which tool is most
appropriate?
A. GAD-7
B. MMSE
C. PHQ-9
D. CAGE questionnaire
,Answer: B. MMSE
Rationale: The Mini-Mental State Examination assesses orientation, memory,
attention, and cognition.
5.
Which finding best reflects euthymic mood?
A. Irritable and angry
B. Emotionally flat
C. Stable, appropriate mood
D. Exaggerated happiness
Answer: C. Stable, appropriate mood
Rationale: Euthymic refers to a normal, stable mood state.
6.
A client states, “I drink because it helps me cope, but I know it’s causing
problems.” Which stage of change is this?
A. Precontemplation
B. Contemplation
C. Preparation (Determination)
D. Maintenance
Answer: B. Contemplation
Rationale: The client recognizes the problem but has not committed to action.
7.
Which behavior is most consistent with motivational interviewing?
A. Confronting denial directly
B. Providing unsolicited advice
C. Exploring ambivalence
D. Setting strict behavioral rules
, Answer: C. Exploring ambivalence
Rationale: Motivational interviewing focuses on collaboration and resolving
ambivalence.
8.
A client reports hearing voices that comment on their actions. This is classified as:
A. Visual hallucination
B. Auditory hallucination
C. Illusion
D. Delusion
Answer: B. Auditory hallucination
Rationale: Auditory hallucinations are the most common in psychotic disorders.
9.
Which MSE component assesses ability to perform serial 7s or spell “world”
backward?
A. Insight
B. Cognition
C. Judgment
D. Affect
Answer: B. Cognition
Rationale: These tasks evaluate attention and concentration under cognition.
10.
A client has a GAD-7 score of 16. This indicates:
A. Mild anxiety
B. Moderate anxiety
C. Severe anxiety
D. No anxiety disorder
