CBC Intervention Techniques 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A bariatric client says, "I know I should stop late-night snacking, but it's the only time I relax." Which motivational interviewing technique best responds to this ambivalence?
- Prescribing a strict no-eating-after-8pm rule
- Confronting the client about denial
- Referring the client back to the surgeon
- Developing discrepancy between current behavior and personal goals (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Developing discrepancy between current behavior and personal goals
Developing discrepancy helps the client see the gap between their behavior and their weight-loss goals without confrontation.
Question 2: In cognitive behavioral therapy for post-surgical bariatric patients, which tool is most commonly used to identify triggers for emotional eating?
- A serum vitamin panel
- A resting metabolic rate test
- A self-monitoring food and mood diary (Correct answer)
- A body composition scan
Correct answer: A self-monitoring food and mood diary
Self-monitoring diaries link eating episodes to emotions and situations, revealing behavioral triggers.
Question 3: A counselor asks a pre-surgical client, "On a scale of 0 to 10, how confident are you that you can follow the post-op diet?" This is an example of which technique?
- Administering a standardized depression screen
- Conducting a structured clinical interview
- Applying aversive conditioning
- Using a confidence ruler to assess self-efficacy (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Using a confidence ruler to assess self-efficacy
Scaling questions, or confidence rulers, gauge self-efficacy and open discussion about strengthening confidence.
Question 4: Which intervention is most appropriate when a client repeatedly engages in "grazing" behavior six months after gastric sleeve surgery?
- Encouraging longer fasting windows of 24 hours
- Recommending liquid meal replacements indefinitely
- Structured meal planning with scheduled eating times and stimulus control (Correct answer)
- Advising the client to weigh themselves hourly
Correct answer: Structured meal planning with scheduled eating times and stimulus control
Grazing responds best to structured, scheduled eating combined with stimulus-control strategies that limit food cues.
Question 5: During a session, a client becomes defensive when the counselor suggests reducing sugary drinks. According to motivational interviewing, the counselor should first do what?
- Repeat the recommendation more firmly
- End the session early
- Warn the client about surgical failure
- Roll with resistance by reflecting the client's concerns (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Roll with resistance by reflecting the client's concerns
Rolling with resistance through reflective listening defuses defensiveness and preserves the therapeutic alliance.
Question 6: Which behavioral technique involves removing tempting foods from the home and avoiding eating while watching television?
- Cognitive restructuring
- Flooding
- Systematic desensitization
- Stimulus control (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Stimulus control
Stimulus control modifies the environment to reduce cues that trigger unwanted eating behaviors.
Question 7: A client states, "I ate one cookie, so my whole diet is ruined." Which cognitive distortion should the counselor target?
- Displacement
- Projection
- All-or-nothing thinking (Correct answer)
- Reaction formation
Correct answer: All-or-nothing thinking
Viewing one lapse as total failure is classic all-or-nothing (dichotomous) thinking addressed in CBT.
CBC Intervention Techniques 2
A bariatric client says, "I know I should stop late-night snacking, but it's the only time I relax." Which motivational interviewing technique best responds to this ambivalence?