Deck 12: Clinical Assessment

Question 1

Perhaps one of family therapy's more unique and important contributions to the field of mental health is the concept of __________, meaning delivering messages in a way the intended audience can receive it.

A) learning to speak in medical language
B) learning to speak the client's language
C) learning to speak the formal DSM language
D) all of these are correct

Answer 1

D

Question 2

__________and diagnosis help therapists identify potential courses of treatment; decide how best to keep clients and the public safe; and determine the need for referrals and additional services.

A) Case conceptualizations
B) Case reporting
C) Therapeutic analysis
D) Clinical assessments

Answer 2

D

Question 3

A systemic approach to assessing a client's mental status and making a diagnosis is approached using a combination of which two systemic techniques?

A) Problem assessment and linear questions
B) Problem assessment and multi-modal questions
C) Problem assessment and circular questions
D) None of these is correct

Answer 3

C

Question 4

A systemic perspective of diagnosis describes:

A) a person's medical history.
B) a person's cognitions in a particular relationship.
C) a person's somatic complaints.
D) a person's behavior in a particular context.

Question 5

A clinical assessment focuses more on the __________ and health dynamics of clients, allowing the therapist to have a better sense of how to more effectively partner with clients in therapy.

A) physical
B) emotional
C) psychological
D) external

Question 6

Which of the following is about helping clients lead rich, meaningful lives rather than simply reducing symptoms related to a mental health diagnosis?

A) Discovery model
B) Recovery model
C) Systemic model
D) Humanistic model

Question 7

Formal written assessments have been standardized to help therapists obtain a more _____________ assessment of client functioning.

A) subjective
B) objective
C) inclusive
D) exclusive

Question 8

A mental status exam from a postmodern perspective involves honoring a client's _____________ and ____________ of the problem?

A) narrative; intensity
B) feelings; frequency
C) cognitions; severity
D) description; perception

Question 9

Family therapists should be aware of other risk factors when assessing clients. These risk factors include:

A) eating disorders.
B) cutting or self-harm.
C) criminal or legal history.
D) all of these are correct.

Question 10

Whenever a potential risk is identified during an assessment or in the course of therapy-such as passive suicidal ideation, history of cutting, and history of abuse-which of the following should be established?

A) A full report
B) A safety plan
C) A family contract
D) A weekly log

Question 11

In a general family therapy approach to diagnosis, each description of the problem is considered one of many possible __________ that depend on webs of relationships and social discourse; it does not stand on its own.

A) facts
B) truths
C) diagnoses
D) meanings

Question 12

A parity diagnosis differs from a non-parity diagnosis in which way?

A) It is not reimbursed by insurance.
B) It is reimbursed at the same rate as a medical disorder.
C) It is a parody of an existing diagnosis.
D) It does not include severe disorders.

Question 13

When family therapists are completing a clinical assessment, they should consider risks. Which of the following are important risk management indicators?

A) Suicidality
B) Homicidality
C) Substance abuse
D) All of these are correct

Question 14

The recovery model uses a social model of disability rather than a medical model; thus, it deemphasizes diagnostic labeling and emphasizes __________, the hallmark of family therapy approaches.

A) psychotic functioning
B) psychosocial functioning
C) family functioning
D) physical functioning

Question 15

Like most things in life, a clinical assessment has some potential dangers and pitfalls. Which of the following can make clinical assessment possibly dangerous?

A) The therapist
B) Neutrality
C) Objectivity
D) Subjectivity

Question 16

Postmodern therapists are skeptical of diagnoses because these become __________ that clients use to inform their identity-often silencing their strengths, resiliencies, and capabilities.

A) diagnoses
B) truths
C) labels
D) diagnoses and truths

Question 17

When assessing certain risk factors, therapists should be aware of the types of child abuse considered reportable according to most state authorities. They include all of the following EXCEPT:

A) sexual abuse.
B) physical abuse.
C) emotional abuse.
D) neglect.

Question 18

Having a specific plan about who to call and what to do if a crisis begins to arise, as well as identifying tasks to calm oneself such as journaling and exercising, are considered to be components of:

A) identity plan.
B) assessment plan.
C) safety plan.
D) treatment plan.

Question 19

Which of the following is NOT considered a common case management activity?

A) Contacting and coordinating care with client's social workers
B) Referring client for a medical assessment to rule out medical causes and/or exacerbating conditions
C) Referring client for social services such as job training, welfare, housing, victim services, and legal assistance
D) Planning for termination of therapy

Question 20

Before making a clinical diagnosis, family therapists should consider which of the following factors that include age, ethnicity, and family dynamics?

A) Global
B) Divisive
C) Contextual
D) Mental

Question 21

Elder adult abuse includes all of the categories for child abuse as well as:

A) isolation.
B) financial abuse.
C) emotional abuse.
D) inattention.

Question 22

The DSM-5 includes ________ that can be used to determine whether symptoms are mild, moderate, or severe when making a diagnosis.

A) a diagnostic symptom analysis test
B) a symptom assessment chart
C) symptom severity scales
D) a Michigan Symptom Screening Test

Question 23

Areas of impairment that may result from a clinical condition include:

A) social relationships.
B) family activities.
C) emotional status.
D) all of these are correct.

Question 24

A description of interpersonal issues might include which of the following mental status terms?

A) Hypersomnia and disrupted sleep
B) Constricted affect
C) Anxiety and irritability
D) Conflict and enmeshment