WGU D579 Mental Health Awareness and Education: Exam 3
50 questions
1. A coworker says, 'I've been feeling down for weeks and can't sleep or concentrate.' The best
first response is:
A. 'That sounds really hard. Would you like to talk about it?'
B. 'Everyone gets sad, you'll be fine.'
C. 'Just think positive.'
D. 'You should take a vacation.'
Correct Answer: A. 'That sounds really hard. Would you like to talk about it?'
Rationale: Listening nonjudgmentally is the first step.
2. The same coworker later says, 'Sometimes I think everyone would be better off without me.'
You should:
A. Ask directly if they are thinking about suicide and help connect them to 988 or professional help
B. Change the subject
C. Promise not to tell anyone
D. Tell them they're being dramatic
Correct Answer: A. Ask directly if they are thinking about suicide and help connect them to
988 or professional help
Rationale: Burden statements are warning signs.
3. A student reports racing heart, sweating and feeling she might die during exams, now
avoiding classes. Which condition and intervention fit best?
A. Schizophrenia; antipsychotics
B. ADHD; stimulant medication
C. Possible panic disorder; refer to counseling for CBT
D. Normal stress; no action
Correct Answer: C. Possible panic disorder; refer to counseling for CBT
Rationale: Avoidance and fear of attacks suggest panic disorder.
4. A veteran has nightmares, flashbacks, hypervigilance and avoids crowds 6 months after
deployment. Which diagnosis is most likely?
A. Acute stress disorder
B. Bipolar I
C. Specific phobia only
D. PTSD
Correct Answer: D. PTSD
Rationale: Symptoms over 1 month after trauma.
5. A man spends hours daily washing his hands due to intrusive fears of contamination,
damaging his skin. Best treatment approach?
A. Telling him to stop
B. Antipsychotics only
C. Avoiding all dirt forever
D. Exposure and response prevention, possibly with an SSRI
Correct Answer: D. Exposure and response prevention, possibly with an SSRI
Rationale: ERP is first-line for OCD.
, 6. A woman 3 weeks after giving birth feels hopeless, cannot sleep even when the baby sleeps
and has no interest in activities. What should a health educator recommend?
A. Wait for it to pass
B. Stop breastfeeding immediately
C. Prompt evaluation for postpartum depression and support resources
D. Avoid telling her provider
Correct Answer: C. Prompt evaluation for postpartum depression and support resources
Rationale: Postpartum depression is common and treatable.
7. A college student hasn't slept for 3 days, believes he is a world leader and is spending
recklessly. Which is the most likely diagnosis and action?
A. Normal excitement; no action
B. Possible manic episode; urgent mental health evaluation
C. GAD; breathing exercises only
D. ADHD; study tips
Correct Answer: B. Possible manic episode; urgent mental health evaluation
Rationale: Mania needs prompt evaluation.
8. A PHQ-9 score of 18 indicates:
A. Minimal depression
B. Mild depression
C. No depression
D. Moderately severe depression
Correct Answer: D. Moderately severe depression
Rationale: Scores: 5 mild, 10 moderate, 15 moderately severe, 20 severe.
9. A PHQ-9 item about thoughts of self-harm is answered positively. The next step is:
A. Immediate suicide risk assessment
B. Ignore it because the total score is low
C. Schedule follow-up in 6 months
D. Tell the person not to think that way
Correct Answer: A. Immediate suicide risk assessment
Rationale: Item 9 requires follow-up regardless of total score.
10. A teen posts on social media that she has 'decided' and gives away her pets. Her friend
should:
A. Wait to see if she posts again
B. Comment publicly
C. Keep it secret
D. Tell a trusted adult immediately and contact 988 or emergency services
Correct Answer: D. Tell a trusted adult immediately and contact 988 or emergency services
Rationale: Warning signs require urgent action.
11. A father with depression keeps firearms in the home. A counselor recommends temporarily
storing them outside the home. This intervention is:
A. Harm reduction for drug use
B. Lethal means safety counseling
C. Exposure therapy
D. Stigma reduction
Correct Answer: B. Lethal means safety counseling
Rationale: Means safety reduces suicide risk.
50 questions
1. A coworker says, 'I've been feeling down for weeks and can't sleep or concentrate.' The best
first response is:
A. 'That sounds really hard. Would you like to talk about it?'
B. 'Everyone gets sad, you'll be fine.'
C. 'Just think positive.'
D. 'You should take a vacation.'
Correct Answer: A. 'That sounds really hard. Would you like to talk about it?'
Rationale: Listening nonjudgmentally is the first step.
2. The same coworker later says, 'Sometimes I think everyone would be better off without me.'
You should:
A. Ask directly if they are thinking about suicide and help connect them to 988 or professional help
B. Change the subject
C. Promise not to tell anyone
D. Tell them they're being dramatic
Correct Answer: A. Ask directly if they are thinking about suicide and help connect them to
988 or professional help
Rationale: Burden statements are warning signs.
3. A student reports racing heart, sweating and feeling she might die during exams, now
avoiding classes. Which condition and intervention fit best?
A. Schizophrenia; antipsychotics
B. ADHD; stimulant medication
C. Possible panic disorder; refer to counseling for CBT
D. Normal stress; no action
Correct Answer: C. Possible panic disorder; refer to counseling for CBT
Rationale: Avoidance and fear of attacks suggest panic disorder.
4. A veteran has nightmares, flashbacks, hypervigilance and avoids crowds 6 months after
deployment. Which diagnosis is most likely?
A. Acute stress disorder
B. Bipolar I
C. Specific phobia only
D. PTSD
Correct Answer: D. PTSD
Rationale: Symptoms over 1 month after trauma.
5. A man spends hours daily washing his hands due to intrusive fears of contamination,
damaging his skin. Best treatment approach?
A. Telling him to stop
B. Antipsychotics only
C. Avoiding all dirt forever
D. Exposure and response prevention, possibly with an SSRI
Correct Answer: D. Exposure and response prevention, possibly with an SSRI
Rationale: ERP is first-line for OCD.
, 6. A woman 3 weeks after giving birth feels hopeless, cannot sleep even when the baby sleeps
and has no interest in activities. What should a health educator recommend?
A. Wait for it to pass
B. Stop breastfeeding immediately
C. Prompt evaluation for postpartum depression and support resources
D. Avoid telling her provider
Correct Answer: C. Prompt evaluation for postpartum depression and support resources
Rationale: Postpartum depression is common and treatable.
7. A college student hasn't slept for 3 days, believes he is a world leader and is spending
recklessly. Which is the most likely diagnosis and action?
A. Normal excitement; no action
B. Possible manic episode; urgent mental health evaluation
C. GAD; breathing exercises only
D. ADHD; study tips
Correct Answer: B. Possible manic episode; urgent mental health evaluation
Rationale: Mania needs prompt evaluation.
8. A PHQ-9 score of 18 indicates:
A. Minimal depression
B. Mild depression
C. No depression
D. Moderately severe depression
Correct Answer: D. Moderately severe depression
Rationale: Scores: 5 mild, 10 moderate, 15 moderately severe, 20 severe.
9. A PHQ-9 item about thoughts of self-harm is answered positively. The next step is:
A. Immediate suicide risk assessment
B. Ignore it because the total score is low
C. Schedule follow-up in 6 months
D. Tell the person not to think that way
Correct Answer: A. Immediate suicide risk assessment
Rationale: Item 9 requires follow-up regardless of total score.
10. A teen posts on social media that she has 'decided' and gives away her pets. Her friend
should:
A. Wait to see if she posts again
B. Comment publicly
C. Keep it secret
D. Tell a trusted adult immediately and contact 988 or emergency services
Correct Answer: D. Tell a trusted adult immediately and contact 988 or emergency services
Rationale: Warning signs require urgent action.
11. A father with depression keeps firearms in the home. A counselor recommends temporarily
storing them outside the home. This intervention is:
A. Harm reduction for drug use
B. Lethal means safety counseling
C. Exposure therapy
D. Stigma reduction
Correct Answer: B. Lethal means safety counseling
Rationale: Means safety reduces suicide risk.
