LMSW LMSW Clinical Assessment and Diagnosis Questions and Answers 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A client reports persistent feelings of hopelessness, loss of interest in activities, and difficulty concentrating for the past three weeks. Which DSM-5 diagnosis is MOST appropriate?
- Persistent Depressive Disorder
- Major Depressive Disorder (Correct answer)
- Adjustment Disorder with Depressed Mood
- Bipolar II Disorder, Depressive Episode
Correct answer: Major Depressive Disorder
Major Depressive Disorder requires at least five depressive symptoms lasting a minimum of two weeks, which this client meets.
Question 2: During an intake assessment, a client describes hearing voices that comment on their behavior, believing their thoughts are being broadcast on television, and having had these experiences for eight months. Which diagnosis best fits this presentation?
- Brief Psychotic Disorder
- Schizophreniform Disorder
- Schizophrenia (Correct answer)
- Delusional Disorder
Correct answer: Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia requires two or more positive symptoms lasting at least six months, with at least one month of active-phase symptoms.
Question 3: A social worker is assessing a 10-year-old child who exhibits a pattern of arguing with adults, deliberately annoying others, and being spiteful for the past seven months. The MOST likely diagnosis is:
- Conduct Disorder
- Intermittent Explosive Disorder
- Oppositional Defiant Disorder (Correct answer)
- Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder
Correct answer: Oppositional Defiant Disorder
Oppositional Defiant Disorder is characterized by a persistent pattern of angry/irritable mood and argumentative/defiant behavior lasting at least six months.
Question 4: Which assessment tool is MOST appropriate for screening a client for alcohol use disorder during an initial clinical interview?
- PHQ-9
- CAGE Questionnaire (Correct answer)
- Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale
- Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale
Correct answer: CAGE Questionnaire
The CAGE Questionnaire is a widely validated four-question screening tool specifically designed to identify problematic alcohol use.
Question 5: A client with a history of trauma presents with intrusive memories, emotional numbing, hypervigilance, and sleep disturbances following a car accident six weeks ago. The MOST appropriate diagnosis is:
- Acute Stress Disorder (Correct answer)
- PTSD
- Adjustment Disorder
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Correct answer: Acute Stress Disorder
Acute Stress Disorder is diagnosed when trauma symptoms occur within one month of the traumatic event and last between three days and one month.
Question 6: In the DSM-5 multiaxial system replacement, which domain captures psychosocial and contextual factors such as homelessness or family conflict?
- Principal Diagnosis
- Specifiers
- Z-codes (V-codes) (Correct answer)
- Rule-Out Diagnoses
Correct answer: Z-codes (V-codes)
Z-codes (formerly V-codes in DSM-IV) document psychosocial and environmental problems that may affect diagnosis, treatment, or prognosis.
LMSW LMSW Clinical Assessment and Diagnosis Questions and Answers 2
A client reports persistent feelings of hopelessness, loss of interest in activities, and difficulty concentrating for the past three weeks.
Which DSM-5 diagnosis is MOST appropriate?