Capacity and consent: practice question

A Psychiatry question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Psychiatry · Capacity and consent

Sample item

A patient can repeat information about a procedure but cannot compare options or explain how the choice applies to her circumstances. Which capacity element is impaired?

AUnderstanding informationBCommunicating a choiceCUsing or weighing informationDHaving a diagnosis

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

C. Using or weighing information

Decision-making capacity requires understanding relevant information, retaining it long enough to decide, using or weighing it, and communicating a choice. Capacity is decision specific.

Option by option

A. Understanding information
She can repeat information, so basic understanding may be intact.
B. Communicating a choice
The stem does not say she cannot express a decision.
C. Using or weighing information (correct)
Correct. Applying and comparing information is the weighing element.
D. Having a diagnosis
A diagnosis alone neither proves nor disproves capacity.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

Questions about this Psychiatry question

What is the answer to this Psychiatry question?

The best answer is C, Using or weighing information. Decision-making capacity requires understanding relevant information, retaining it long enough to decide, using or weighing it, and communicating a choice.

Why is "Understanding information" not the answer?

She can repeat information, so basic understanding may be intact.

Why is "Communicating a choice" not the answer?

The stem does not say she cannot express a decision.

Why is "Having a diagnosis" not the answer?

A diagnosis alone neither proves nor disproves capacity.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Capacity and consent in Psychiatry. Capacity is decision specific.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Capacity and consent?

Learn each diagnosis by its core features and its first-line treatment. Then use the flashcards and the other Psychiatry questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.