Deck 11: Evaluation, Testing, and Diagnosis

Question 1

According to the text, counselors often are uncomfortable with diagnosing mental disorders because

A) they would prefer to avoid dealing with managed care companies.
B) they are concerned that doctorate-holding psychologists will challenge the accuracy of their diagnoses.
C) the diagnostic system is grounded in the medical model, as opposed to the wellness model.
D) they do not believe they are qualified to diagnose mental disorders.
E) it is difficult to accurately explain a diagnosis to a client.

Answer 1

C

Question 2

The ACA Code of Ethics requires counselors to explain to clients, before testing takes place, all of the following EXCEPT

A) that clients may ask questions while they are taking the test if any items are confusing to them.
B) the nature and purposes of the tests.
C) whether test results will be used as a screening tool for membership in a counseling group.
D) what conditions produce the best test results.
E) that they will receive feedback about the test results.

Answer 2

A

Question 3

With respect to what mental health professionals are qualified to diagnose using the DSM system

A) only psychologists and psychiatrists are qualified to utilize this system
B) counselors do not receive adequate training at the master's degree level to be qualified to use this system
C) only psychiatrists should use the DSM system, because it is based on the medical model
D) managed health care companies will reimburse only psychiatrists for DSM diagnoses
E) the DSM manual specifically includes counselors as users of the DSM system

Answer 3

E

Question 4

Proper maintenance of test security by counselors includes all of the following EXCEPT

A) letting clients take tests home to complete.
B) locking up all tests and test results in a secured file cabinet.
C) supervising the test taking process.
D) releasing test records only to those individuals who are qualified to receive them.
E) not allowing clients to copy testing materials.

Question 5

Key points with respect to diagnosis include all of the following EXCEPT

A) clients should not be told the diagnosis that has been assigned to them.
B) counselors must be alert to sources of bias against women and minority group members in the diagnostic process.
C) counselors should cooperate with physicians when clients may have a physical condition that is contributing to their mental or emotional problems or when they could benefit from taking medications for their condition.
D) multicultural considerations are of paramount importance in diagnosis because all mental disorders occur in and are defined by a cultural context.
E) counselors are guilty of insurance fraud when they do not diagnosis honestly and accurately and they can be subject to both civil and criminal liability.

Question 6

Individuals who are being evaluated often are confused about the nature of their meetings with counselors because

A) the person doing the evaluation is a counselor and the process seems a lot like counseling.
B) evaluations are always court ordered, and counseling is often court ordered as well.
C) counselors are very non-directive during evaluations.
D) counselors do not tell clients they are being evaluated because they do not want the clients to act differently than they normally do.
E) evaluations often include testing.

Question 7

The testimony of expert witnesses

A) is neutral and does not take a position in a legal controversy.
B) usually supports one side in a legal controversy and damages the position of the other side.
C) supports the defendant's side in a controversy.
D) supports the plaintiff's side in a controversy.
E) is accepted by judges and juries as facts and experts cannot be cross-examined by lawyers after they have testified.

Question 8

The most accurate statement below regarding counselors serving as expert witnesses is

A) counselors have the education necessary to conduct certain types of evaluations and then serve as expert witnesses.
B) only counselors who have had specialized training as expert witnesses are qualified to give expert testimony in court.
C) counselors should always refuse to serve as expert witnesses
D) it is unethical for counselors to be prepared by lawyers before they testify as expert witnesses.
E) counselors do not have enough education to serve as expert witnesses.

Question 9

The primary purpose of diagnosis is to

A) label clients.
B) facilitate effective treatment.
C) help clients gain future employment.
D) obtain insurance reimbursement.
E) show that a particular client has a verifiable mental disorder.

Question 10

The potential benefits of diagnosis include all of the following, EXCEPT

A) accurate diagnosis can help counselors and clients predict the course of the disorder
B) it facilitates communication among treatment professionals
C) diagnosis can lead to a self-fulfilling prophecy
D) it can help counselors identify a client's medical condition so that the client can be referred to a physician
E) it can assist counselors to develop effective treatment plans

Question 11

The best evaluator in a child custody evaluation situation is

A) a counselor who has previously counseled the mother, father, and children because that counselor knows the family members well.
B) a counselor who has previously counseled only one of the parents because that counselor can compare the other parent's skills to those of the parent who has received counseling services.
C) a counselor who has no previous information about the family.
D) a counselor who has counseled one of the children at school.
E) a counselor who does not counsel children.

Question 12

Studies regarding cultural bias in diagnosis have shown that

A) because most clients in counseling are women, diagnosis tends to be less accurate for male clients than for female clients
B) African American clients are more likely to be diagnosed with severe mental illnesses such as schizophrenia
C) Hispanic clients are less likely to be diagnosed with depressive disorders
D) counselors, compared to other mental health professionals, are less likely to allow gender stereotypes to influence their diagnoses
E) female clients are less likely to be prescribed psychotropic medications

Question 13

Child custody evaluations must be all of the following EXCEPT

A) unbiased.
B) objective.
C) conducted by a counselor other than the parent's individual counselor.
D) reported to the judge.
E) approved by each of the child's parents.

Question 14

The standard used to determine whether a particular counselor is qualified to administer and interpret a particular test

A) has been developed by the American Psychological Association.
B) is so broad that any professional can administer and interpret any test.
C) is established by each state by the state licensure board for psychologists.
D) is not absolute and each counselor must make that determination for himself/herself.
E) is based on a formula that includes graduate courses taken, number of administrations of that particular test previously, and amount of supervised experience giving that particular test.

Question 15

The attorney for the other side will minimize the impact of an expert witness's testimony by each of the following actions EXCEPT

A) objecting to the expert's credentials, arguing that the counselor is not expert enough to give an opinion in court.
B) offering another expert witness's testimony to disagree with the counselor's conclusions and recommendations.
C) offering the counselor more money to not testify.
D) arguing that the counselor completed an inadequate evaluation.
E) claiming that the expert witness's testimony is biased.