Intake, Assessment, and Diagnosis Flashcards
7 cards from real NCMHCE practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Intake, Assessment, and Diagnosis flashcards as text
A counselor uses the PHQ-9 during intake. A client scores 18. This score indicates:
Answer: Moderately severe depression
PHQ-9 scores of 15–19 indicate moderately severe depression, warranting active treatment planning.
During intake, a client discloses ongoing domestic violence at home. The counselor's FIRST clinical obligation is to:
Answer: Assess the client's immediate safety
Before any action, the counselor must assess the client's immediate safety level to guide appropriate next steps.
Which of the following is NOT a specifier used with Major Depressive Disorder in the DSM-5?
Answer: With rapid cycling
Rapid cycling is a specifier for Bipolar Disorder, not Major Depressive Disorder.
A client presents with a 2-year history of depressed mood more days than not, accompanied by poor concentration and low self-esteem. No Major Depressive Episodes are identified. The MOST likely diagnosis is:
Answer: Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia)
Persistent Depressive Disorder requires a depressed mood for at least 2 years in adults without meeting full MDD criteria.
Which screening tool is MOST appropriate for initial assessment of alcohol use disorder severity?
Answer: CAGE questionnaire
The CAGE questionnaire is a validated, brief 4-item tool specifically designed to screen for problematic alcohol use.
A client reports that for the past 5 months they have felt 'on top of the world,' needed only 3 hours of sleep, spent $40,000 impulsively, and started three businesses. This pattern MOST suggests:
Answer: Manic episode
A manic episode lasts at least 7 days with marked impairment; this client's duration and functional impact meet manic, not hypomanic, criteria.
In a clinical intake with a refugee client, the counselor observes culturally specific expressions of distress unfamiliar in Western diagnostic frameworks. The counselor should FIRST:
Answer: Consult the DSM-5 Cultural Formulation Interview (CFI)
The DSM-5's Cultural Formulation Interview helps clinicians explore cultural context, identity, and explanatory models before diagnosis.