WGU D117 NURS 6810
(Advanced Health Assessment)
FA Prep 2026 - With Solutions
Domain 1: Foundational Assessment & Interviewing (Q 1–10)
Question 1: A 32-year-old patient presents with depressed mood, fatigue, and
weight gain. Before diagnosing major depressive disorder, the PMHNP orders a
TSH level to rule out which condition?
• A. Cushing syndrome
• B. Hypothyroidism
• C. Hyperparathyroidism
• D. Addison disease
,,,ANSWER,,,: B
Rationale: Hypothyroidism frequently presents with depressive symptoms
including fatigue, weight gain, and mood changes. Thyroid screening is essential in
psychiatric assessment because medical conditions often manifest with psychiatric
symptoms, and treatment of the underlying endocrine disorder may resolve the
mood disturbance.
,Question 2: During a psychiatric interview, a patient demonstrates a flat affect
despite reporting feeling happy. Which term best describes this finding?
• A. Mood-congruent affect
• B. Mood-incongruent affect
• C. Labile affect
• D. Restricted affect
,,,ANSWER,,,: B
Rationale: Mood-incongruent affect occurs when the patient's expressed
emotional state (affect) does not match their reported internal emotional experience
(mood). In this case, the patient reports happiness but displays a flat affect, which
demonstrates incongruence.
Question 3: A patient with suspected delirium is assessed using the Confusion
Assessment Method (CAM). Which feature is most diagnostic of delirium?
• A. Disorganized speech
• B. Acute onset and fluctuating course
• C. Memory impairment
• D. Hallucinations
,,,ANSWER,,,: B
Rationale: The CAM diagnostic algorithm requires acute onset and fluctuating
course as a core feature. Delirium is specifically characterized by a sudden change
in mental status that varies throughout the day, distinguishing it from dementia,
which has a gradual onset and stable course.
,Question 4: A patient with depression scores 25 on the PHQ-9. How is this
severity classified?
• A. Mild
• B. Moderate
• C. Moderately severe
• D. Severe
,,,ANSWER,,,: D
Rationale: PHQ-9 scores of 20–27 indicate severe depression. Scores 5–9 are
mild, 10–14 moderate, and 15–19 moderately severe. A score of 25 requires
prompt intervention and careful suicide risk assessment.
Question 5: True or False: A comprehensive psychiatric assessment should always
include a review of systems and physical health screening.
,,,ANSWER,,,: True
Rationale: Medical conditions frequently present with psychiatric manifestations.
An integrated assessment including ROS and physical exam is essential to identify
underlying medical causes of psychiatric symptoms and ensure safe,
comprehensive care.
Question 6: A PMHNP observes a patient pacing and unable to sit still during the
interview. This is best described as:
• A. Akinesia
, • B. Akathisia
• C. Catatonia
• D. Dystonia
,,,ANSWER,,,: B
Rationale: Akathisia is characterized by subjective restlessness and objective
motor agitation—the inability to remain still. It is a common extrapyramidal side
effect of antipsychotic medications and can be mistaken for anxiety or agitation.
Question 7: What is the priority assessment when a patient presents with auditory
hallucinations and disorganized thinking?
• A. Cardiovascular assessment
• B. Safety and risk of harm
• C. Gastrointestinal assessment
• D. Musculoskeletal assessment
,,,ANSWER,,,: B
Rationale: The priority is to ensure safety of the patient and others. Hallucinations
and disorganized thinking may be associated with command hallucinations or
impaired judgment, requiring immediate safety assessment before proceeding with
other aspects of the evaluation.
Question 8: A patient describes hearing voices commenting on their behavior.
This perceptual disturbance is classified as:
(Advanced Health Assessment)
FA Prep 2026 - With Solutions
Domain 1: Foundational Assessment & Interviewing (Q 1–10)
Question 1: A 32-year-old patient presents with depressed mood, fatigue, and
weight gain. Before diagnosing major depressive disorder, the PMHNP orders a
TSH level to rule out which condition?
• A. Cushing syndrome
• B. Hypothyroidism
• C. Hyperparathyroidism
• D. Addison disease
,,,ANSWER,,,: B
Rationale: Hypothyroidism frequently presents with depressive symptoms
including fatigue, weight gain, and mood changes. Thyroid screening is essential in
psychiatric assessment because medical conditions often manifest with psychiatric
symptoms, and treatment of the underlying endocrine disorder may resolve the
mood disturbance.
,Question 2: During a psychiatric interview, a patient demonstrates a flat affect
despite reporting feeling happy. Which term best describes this finding?
• A. Mood-congruent affect
• B. Mood-incongruent affect
• C. Labile affect
• D. Restricted affect
,,,ANSWER,,,: B
Rationale: Mood-incongruent affect occurs when the patient's expressed
emotional state (affect) does not match their reported internal emotional experience
(mood). In this case, the patient reports happiness but displays a flat affect, which
demonstrates incongruence.
Question 3: A patient with suspected delirium is assessed using the Confusion
Assessment Method (CAM). Which feature is most diagnostic of delirium?
• A. Disorganized speech
• B. Acute onset and fluctuating course
• C. Memory impairment
• D. Hallucinations
,,,ANSWER,,,: B
Rationale: The CAM diagnostic algorithm requires acute onset and fluctuating
course as a core feature. Delirium is specifically characterized by a sudden change
in mental status that varies throughout the day, distinguishing it from dementia,
which has a gradual onset and stable course.
,Question 4: A patient with depression scores 25 on the PHQ-9. How is this
severity classified?
• A. Mild
• B. Moderate
• C. Moderately severe
• D. Severe
,,,ANSWER,,,: D
Rationale: PHQ-9 scores of 20–27 indicate severe depression. Scores 5–9 are
mild, 10–14 moderate, and 15–19 moderately severe. A score of 25 requires
prompt intervention and careful suicide risk assessment.
Question 5: True or False: A comprehensive psychiatric assessment should always
include a review of systems and physical health screening.
,,,ANSWER,,,: True
Rationale: Medical conditions frequently present with psychiatric manifestations.
An integrated assessment including ROS and physical exam is essential to identify
underlying medical causes of psychiatric symptoms and ensure safe,
comprehensive care.
Question 6: A PMHNP observes a patient pacing and unable to sit still during the
interview. This is best described as:
• A. Akinesia
, • B. Akathisia
• C. Catatonia
• D. Dystonia
,,,ANSWER,,,: B
Rationale: Akathisia is characterized by subjective restlessness and objective
motor agitation—the inability to remain still. It is a common extrapyramidal side
effect of antipsychotic medications and can be mistaken for anxiety or agitation.
Question 7: What is the priority assessment when a patient presents with auditory
hallucinations and disorganized thinking?
• A. Cardiovascular assessment
• B. Safety and risk of harm
• C. Gastrointestinal assessment
• D. Musculoskeletal assessment
,,,ANSWER,,,: B
Rationale: The priority is to ensure safety of the patient and others. Hallucinations
and disorganized thinking may be associated with command hallucinations or
impaired judgment, requiring immediate safety assessment before proceeding with
other aspects of the evaluation.
Question 8: A patient describes hearing voices commenting on their behavior.
This perceptual disturbance is classified as:
