Chapter 4: Clinical Assessment and Diagnosis

Chapter 4: Clinical Assessment and Diagnosis

 

Complete Chapter Questions With Answers

 

Sample Questions Are Posted Below 

 

Chapter 4: Clinical Assessment and Diagnosis

 

Multiple-Choice Questions

 

4.1-1. Psychological assessment refers to the

1. procedures used to summarize a client’s problem.
2. process used to arrive at a diagnosis.
3. development of a treatment plan.
4. determination of how environmental factors impact the course of a disorder.

Difficulty: 1

Question ID: 4.1-1

Page Ref: 101

Topic: Clinical Assessment and Diagnosis

Skill: Factual

Answer: a. procedures used to summarize a client’s problem.

 

4.1-2. A person comes to a mental health professional with a certain complaint. The professional attempts to understand the nature and extent of the problem. This process is called

1. diagnosis.
2. assessment.
3. clinical treatment.
4. screening.

Difficulty: 1

Question ID: 4.1-2

Page Ref: 101

Topic: Clinical Assessment and Diagnosis

Skill: Conceptual

Answer: b. assessment.

 

4.1-3. Why is it important to have an appropriate classification of the presenting problem?

1. A formal diagnosis may be needed for insurance purposes.
2. A determination of the range of presenting symptoms is needed to ensure proper placement in a treatment facility.
3. A recognition of what type of disorder is present will aid in the development of an effective treatment plan.
4. All of the above.

Difficulty: 1

Question ID: 4.1-3

Page Ref: 102

Topic: The Basic Elements in Assessment

Skill: Factual

Answer: d. All of the above.

 

4.1-4. Dr. Vera says, “It may only provide a limited view of a person’s problems, but it is important for planning appropriate treatment. Administratively, it is essential so that a facility can know what kinds of problems clients need help with. Even if we don’t want to do it, insurance claims require it.” What is Dr. Vera is referring to?

1. Formal diagnosis
2. Screening activities
3. Taking a personal history
4. Assessment

Difficulty: 1

Question ID: 4.1-4

Page Ref: 102

Topic: The Basic Elements in Assessment

Skill: Applied

Answer: a. formal diagnosis

 

4.1-5. Which of the following statements regarding assessment is true?

1. Assessment should focus only on the client’s current level of functioning.
2. An adequate assessment includes a determination of the amount of danger the client poses to himself and others.
3. An adequate assessment should include as much information as possible.
4. Assessment should focus on biological concerns rather than social concerns.

Difficulty: 2

Question ID: 4.1-5

Page Ref: 102

Topic: The Basic Elements in Assessment

Skill: Applied

Answer: c. An adequate assessment should include as much information as possible.

 

4.1-6. What role does the social context play in assessment?

1. Social context is not considered during assessment, only during diagnosis.
2. An evaluation of the environment in which the client lives is necessary in order to understand the demands they face, as well as the supports that are present.
3. Environmental factors are usually the proximal cause of mental disorders and frequently need to be addressed before any form of treatment commences.
4. The social context need only be considered when a course of treatment is being selected; significant others in the client’s life should be the primary decision makers.

Difficulty: 1

Question ID: 4.1-6

Page Ref: 102

Topic: The Basic Elements in Assessment

Skill: Conceptual

Answer: b. An evaluation of the environment in which the client lives is necessary in order to understand the demands they face, as well as the supports that are present.

 

4.1-7. Which of the following is a true statement about assessment and professional orientation?

1. Regardless of whether a therapist is behaviorally or psychodynamically oriented, the same basic assessment procedures are employed.
2. The focus of the assessment will be largely determined by the professional orientation of the clinician.
3. While some assessment procedures will vary, a biological screening and administration of a personality test are components of all assessments.
4. The assessment techniques employed will serve to reveal the causal factors that are most consistent with the clinician’s orientation.

Difficulty: 1

Question ID: 4.1-7

Page Ref: 103

Topic: The Basic Elements in Assessment

Skill: Applied

Answer: b. The focus of the assessment will be largely determined by the professional orientation of the clinician.

 

4.1-8. The need for rapport between a clinician and a client means

1. that the clinician and the client must feel friendly toward each other.
2. that someone who is court ordered will be an easy client.
3. clients don’t need to be given any feedback about their test performance.
4. the client must feel comfortable with the clinician and the assessment.

Difficulty: 1

Question ID: 4.1-8

Page Ref: 104

Topic: The Basic Elements in Assessment

Skill: Factual

Answer: d. the client must feel comfortable with the clinician and the assessment.

 

4.1-9. Which of the following demonstrates reliability?

1. An IQ test is effective in predicting the academic performance of both males and females.
2. Scores on an IQ test are not affected by mood.
3. Scores on two different intelligence tests are highly correlated.
4. When an IQ test is administered to the same person repeatedly, the results do not differ.

Difficulty: 1

Question ID: 4.1-9

Page Ref: 104

Topic: The Basic Elements in Assessment

Skill: Applied

Answer: d. When an IQ test is administered to the same person repeatedly, the results

do not differ.

 

4.1-10. A valid test

1. measures what it is designed to measure.
2. yields consistent results.
3. is standardized.
4. rarely is reliable.

Difficulty: 1

Question ID: 4.1-10

Page Ref: 104

Topic: The Basic Elements in Assessment

Skill: Factual

Answer: a. measures what it is designed to measure.

 

4.1-11. Which of the following statements about reliability and validity is true?

1. Reliable tests are usually valid.
2. Valid tests are usually reliable.
3. There is no relationship between reliability and validity.
4. In order for a test to be reliable, it must be valid.

Difficulty: 2

Question ID: 4.1-11

Page Ref: 104

Topic: The Basic Elements in Assessment

Skill: Factual

Answer: b. Valid tests are usually reliable.

 

 

4.1-12. Psychological test results are often compared to each other to determine a mid-range, or normal point. In order to accomplish this, test administration must be completely consistent from one person to the next. What is this process called?

1. validity
2. standardization
3. reliability
4. T-score distribution

Difficulty: 2

Question ID: 4.1-12

Page Ref: 104

Topic: The Basic Elements in Assessment

Skill: Conceptual

Answer: b. standardization

 

4.1-13. Which of the following would be used to reveal a dysrhythmia in brain activity?

1. CAT scan
2. EEG
3. MRI
4. PET scan

Difficulty: 2

Question ID: 4.1-13

Page Ref: 105

Topic: Assessment of the Physical Organism

Skill: Factual

Answer: b. EEG

 

4.1-14. Which of the following makes it possible to see all but the most minute abnormalities of brain structure?

1. CAT scan
2. EEG
3. MRI
4. PET scan

Difficulty: 2

Question ID: 4.1-14

Page Ref: 106

Topic: Assessment of the Physical Organism

Skill: Factual

Answer: c. MRI

 

4.1-15. Dr. Smith believes that a decrease in frontal lobe function underlies the cognitive deficits seen in schizophrenia. He has hypothesized that effective drug therapy serves to selectively increase metabolic activity in this part of the brain. Which of the following is Dr. Smith most likely to use to test his hypothesis?

1. Computerized axial tomography (CAT) scans
2. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
3. Positron emission tomography (PET) scans
4. An electroencephalogram (EEG)

Difficulty: 2

Question ID: 4.1-15

Page Ref: 106

Topic: Assessment of the Physical Organism

Skill: Conceptual

Answer: c. positron emission tomography (PET) scans

 

4.1-16. One advantage of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) over the CAT scan is that the MRI

1. is not an invasive procedure.
2. provides better differentiation and clarity.
3. measures the metabolic processes of the brain.
4. does not require a claustrophobic cylinder-shaped machine.

Difficulty: 2

Question ID: 4.1-16

Page Ref: 106

Topic: Assessment of the Physical Organism

Skill: Conceptual

Answer: b. provides better differentiation and clarity.