Capacity: decision-making: 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: decision-making

Sample item

In assessing a patient's decision-making capacity to refuse treatment, which of the following is NOT a component?

AUnderstanding relevant informationBPresence of a psychiatric diagnosisCCommunicating a choiceDAppreciating the consequences

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Presence of a psychiatric diagnosis

Capacity is assessed for a specific decision, and requires the ability to understand information, retain it, weigh or use it in reasoning, appreciate its consequences and communicate a choice. A psychiatric diagnosis alone does not imply incapacity.

Option by option

A. Understanding relevant information
Understanding is a core component.
B. Presence of a psychiatric diagnosis (correct)
Correct. A diagnosis alone does not determine capacity.
C. Communicating a choice
Communicating a choice is a core component.
D. Appreciating the consequences
Appreciation of consequences is a core component.

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 B, Presence of a psychiatric diagnosis. Capacity is assessed for a specific decision, and requires the ability to understand information, retain it, weigh or use it in reasoning, appreciate its consequences and communicate a choice.

Why is "Understanding relevant information" not the answer?

Understanding is a core component.

Why is "Communicating a choice" not the answer?

Communicating a choice is a core component.

Why is "Appreciating the consequences" not the answer?

Appreciation of consequences is a core component.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Capacity: decision-making in Psychiatry. A psychiatric diagnosis alone does not imply incapacity.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. 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: decision-making?

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.