WGU D117 NURS 6810 (Advanced Health
Assessment)
,Advanced Health Assessment & Mental Status (Questions 1-40)
1. A patient presents with a flat affect, anhedonia, and psychomotor retardation.
Which condition is most consistent with these findings?
• A. Mania
• B. Major Depressive Episode
• C. Anxiety disorder
• D. Schizophrenia
Answer: B. Major Depressive Episode
Rationale: Flat affect, anhedonia (inability to feel pleasure), and psychomotor
retardation are core features of a major depressive episode. Mania presents with
elevated mood and increased energy.
,2. During a mental status exam, a patient is unable to recall three words after
five minutes. This deficit involves which domain?
• A. Immediate memory
• B. Short-term memory
• C. Long-term memory
• D. Working memory
Answer: B. Short-term memory
Rationale: Short-term memory (or recent memory) is the ability to recall
information after a brief delay (typically 3-5 minutes). Long-term memory involves
remote events.
3. Which of the following is a key feature of the Confusion Assessment Method
(CAM) for delirium?
• A. Gradual onset over months
• B. Inattention
• C. Absence of altered consciousness
• D. Stable cognitive deficits
Answer: B. Inattention
Rationale: CAM requires acute onset AND fluctuating course, plus inattention, plus
either disorganized thinking or altered level of consciousness. Inattention is
mandatory.
4. A patient with bipolar disorder is assessed for medication adherence. Which
open-ended question is most effective?
• A. "You took your lithium yesterday, right?"
• B. "Tell me how you've been taking your medications."
• C. "Why didn't you take your medications?"
• D. "Are you taking your medications as prescribed?"
, Answer: B. "Tell me how you've been taking your medications."
Rationale: Open-ended questions reduce defensiveness and elicit more accurate
information about adherence.
5. The PHQ-9 is used to screen for which condition?
• A. Generalized anxiety disorder
• B. Panic disorder
• C. Major depressive disorder
• D. Bipolar disorder
Answer: C. Major depressive disorder
Rationale: PHQ-9 is a validated 9-item questionnaire for depression severity. GAD-
7 is used for anxiety.
6. A patient scores 8 on the PHQ-9. This indicates:
• A. No depression
• B. Mild depression
• C. Moderate depression
• D. Severe depression
Answer: B. Mild depression
Rationale: PHQ-9 scoring: 0-4 none, 5-9 mild, 10-14 moderate, 15-19 moderately
severe, 20-27 severe.
7. On the GAD-7, a score of 14 indicates:
• A. Mild anxiety
• B. Moderate anxiety
• C. Severe anxiety
• D. No anxiety
Assessment)
,Advanced Health Assessment & Mental Status (Questions 1-40)
1. A patient presents with a flat affect, anhedonia, and psychomotor retardation.
Which condition is most consistent with these findings?
• A. Mania
• B. Major Depressive Episode
• C. Anxiety disorder
• D. Schizophrenia
Answer: B. Major Depressive Episode
Rationale: Flat affect, anhedonia (inability to feel pleasure), and psychomotor
retardation are core features of a major depressive episode. Mania presents with
elevated mood and increased energy.
,2. During a mental status exam, a patient is unable to recall three words after
five minutes. This deficit involves which domain?
• A. Immediate memory
• B. Short-term memory
• C. Long-term memory
• D. Working memory
Answer: B. Short-term memory
Rationale: Short-term memory (or recent memory) is the ability to recall
information after a brief delay (typically 3-5 minutes). Long-term memory involves
remote events.
3. Which of the following is a key feature of the Confusion Assessment Method
(CAM) for delirium?
• A. Gradual onset over months
• B. Inattention
• C. Absence of altered consciousness
• D. Stable cognitive deficits
Answer: B. Inattention
Rationale: CAM requires acute onset AND fluctuating course, plus inattention, plus
either disorganized thinking or altered level of consciousness. Inattention is
mandatory.
4. A patient with bipolar disorder is assessed for medication adherence. Which
open-ended question is most effective?
• A. "You took your lithium yesterday, right?"
• B. "Tell me how you've been taking your medications."
• C. "Why didn't you take your medications?"
• D. "Are you taking your medications as prescribed?"
, Answer: B. "Tell me how you've been taking your medications."
Rationale: Open-ended questions reduce defensiveness and elicit more accurate
information about adherence.
5. The PHQ-9 is used to screen for which condition?
• A. Generalized anxiety disorder
• B. Panic disorder
• C. Major depressive disorder
• D. Bipolar disorder
Answer: C. Major depressive disorder
Rationale: PHQ-9 is a validated 9-item questionnaire for depression severity. GAD-
7 is used for anxiety.
6. A patient scores 8 on the PHQ-9. This indicates:
• A. No depression
• B. Mild depression
• C. Moderate depression
• D. Severe depression
Answer: B. Mild depression
Rationale: PHQ-9 scoring: 0-4 none, 5-9 mild, 10-14 moderate, 15-19 moderately
severe, 20-27 severe.
7. On the GAD-7, a score of 14 indicates:
• A. Mild anxiety
• B. Moderate anxiety
• C. Severe anxiety
• D. No anxiety
