Wechsler Test Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS-IV) Clinical Applications 2

Question 1

A clinician notes a 20-point discrepancy between a patient's Verbal Comprehension Index and Perceptual Reasoning Index. What is the most appropriate clinical interpretation?

Accepted Answer

The FSIQ may be less interpretable and index-level analysis is warranted

Answer

A large index discrepancy suggests the FSIQ masks meaningful ability differences, so interpretation should shift to the index scores.

Question 2

Which WAIS-IV index is considered most sensitive to the effects of anxiety, distractibility, and attentional problems during testing?

Accepted Answer

Working Memory Index

Answer

The Working Memory Index taxes sustained attention and concentration, making it vulnerable to anxiety and distractibility.

Question 3

The General Ability Index (GAI) is often used clinically because it:

Accepted Answer

Minimizes the influence of Working Memory and Processing Speed

Answer

The GAI combines Verbal Comprehension and Perceptual Reasoning subtests, reducing the impact of Working Memory and Processing Speed.

Question 4

A patient with a traumatic brain injury shows intact VCI and PRI but markedly low Processing Speed Index. This pattern most likely reflects:

Accepted Answer

Preserved reasoning with reduced cognitive efficiency

Answer

Reasoning abilities can remain intact while processing speed drops, a common finding after brain injury.

Question 5

When a clinician suspects a subtest score was affected by a broken pencil or examiner error, the best practice is to:

Accepted Answer

Document the circumstance and interpret that subtest cautiously

Answer

Testing irregularities should be documented and the affected score interpreted with appropriate caution.

Wechsler Test Practice Test

Wechsler Test Practice Test

Wechsler Test Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS-IV) Clinical Applications 2