CADC Treatment Planning and Referral 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A client with co-occurring major depressive disorder and alcohol use disorder needs specialized care. What is the MOST appropriate referral approach?
- Treat alcohol use first, then address depression separately
- Refer to a dual diagnosis program that addresses both disorders simultaneously (Correct answer)
- Refer to a psychiatrist only, as mental health is the primary issue
- Delay psychiatric referral until the client achieves 90 days of sobriety
Correct answer: Refer to a dual diagnosis program that addresses both disorders simultaneously
Co-occurring disorders are best treated concurrently in an integrated dual diagnosis program rather than sequentially.
Question 2: When writing a measurable treatment goal for a client with opioid use disorder, which statement is the BEST example?
- Client will improve coping skills over time
- Client will understand the dangers of opioid use
- Client will attend 3 individual counseling sessions per week and identify 5 coping strategies within 30 days (Correct answer)
- Client will work on recovery and become drug-free
Correct answer: Client will attend 3 individual counseling sessions per week and identify 5 coping strategies within 30 days
A measurable goal includes specific actions, quantifiable outcomes, and a defined timeframe (SMART criteria).
Question 3: A counselor is reviewing a client's treatment plan at the 30-day mark. Which action reflects best practice for plan review?
- Keep the original plan unchanged to maintain consistency
- Revise goals only if the client requests changes
- Evaluate progress on each goal and update the plan based on current needs and outcomes (Correct answer)
- Discharge the client if all initial goals have been met
Correct answer: Evaluate progress on each goal and update the plan based on current needs and outcomes
Treatment plans must be regularly reviewed and updated to reflect the client's current progress, challenges, and evolving needs.
Question 4: Which level of care in the ASAM continuum is most appropriate for a client who needs 24-hour medically managed intensive inpatient treatment?
- Level 1.0 – Outpatient Services
- Level 2.5 – Partial Hospitalization
- Level 3.7 – Medically Monitored Intensive Inpatient
- Level 4 – Medically Managed Intensive Inpatient (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Level 4 – Medically Managed Intensive Inpatient
ASAM Level 4 represents the highest level of care with 24-hour physician-managed medical and nursing services.
Question 5: A client discloses they cannot afford transportation to outpatient treatment. How should the counselor address this barrier in the treatment plan?
- Tell the client they must find their own transportation as it is not the counselor's responsibility
- Document the barrier and add a goal to connect the client with transportation assistance resources (Correct answer)
- Reduce treatment frequency to only once per month to accommodate the client
- Discharge the client and recommend self-help groups instead
Correct answer: Document the barrier and add a goal to connect the client with transportation assistance resources
Addressing practical barriers like transportation is part of comprehensive treatment planning and case management.
Question 6: What is the primary purpose of including a client's strengths in a treatment plan?
- To satisfy insurance documentation requirements
- To leverage existing resources and build motivation for recovery (Correct answer)
- To reduce the counselor's workload by focusing only on positive traits
- To minimize the documentation of clinical problems
Correct answer: To leverage existing resources and build motivation for recovery
Identifying client strengths supports a strengths-based approach that builds self-efficacy and motivates engagement in treatment.
Question 7: Which of the following best describes the role of a release of information (ROI) in the referral process?
- It allows the counselor to share client information with any provider without restriction
- It is only required when referring clients to mental health services
- It authorizes the counselor to share specified information with identified parties for a defined purpose (Correct answer)
- It permanently transfers the client's case to another provider
Correct answer: It authorizes the counselor to share specified information with identified parties for a defined purpose
A release of information must specify what information is shared, with whom, and for what purpose, consistent with 42 CFR Part 2 and HIPAA.
CADC Treatment Planning and Referral 2
A client with co-occurring major depressive disorder and alcohol use disorder needs specialized care.
What is the MOST appropriate referral approach?