Practice Test Geeks(ADM) Board Certified Addiction Medicine Specialist Practice Test
← All ADM Flashcard Decks

Patient Assessment & Clinical Evaluation Flashcards

7 cards from real ADM practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

Read the first 7 Patient Assessment & Clinical Evaluation flashcards as text

  1. Which validated tool is used to assess the severity of alcohol withdrawal and guide medical management?

    Answer: CIWA-Ar

    The Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment for Alcohol–Revised (CIWA-Ar) quantifies withdrawal severity across 10 symptoms to guide medication dosing.

  2. A patient reports using opioids daily for 18 months and is now seeking treatment. Which instrument best quantifies opioid withdrawal severity at intake?

    Answer: COWS

    The Clinical Opiate Withdrawal Scale (COWS) measures 11 objective and subjective signs to score opioid withdrawal severity.

  3. During assessment, a 45-year-old patient minimizes alcohol use. Which collateral information source is MOST appropriate to obtain with the patient's consent?

    Answer: Family member or close contact

    Collateral history from a family member or close contact, obtained with patient consent, helps corroborate and clarify the extent of substance use.

  4. Which lab finding is most specific for heavy chronic alcohol use when assessing a new patient?

    Answer: Elevated phosphatidylethanol (PEth)

    Phosphatidylethanol (PEth) is a direct ethanol metabolite with high specificity for chronic heavy alcohol consumption over the past 3–4 weeks.

  5. A clinician performs a functional assessment on a patient with severe alcohol use disorder. Which domain is MOST relevant to include?

    Answer: Ability to maintain employment and manage daily activities

    Functional assessment in addiction medicine evaluates the impact of substance use on occupational, social, and daily living activities.

  6. Which DSM-5 specifier indicates that a patient no longer meets criteria for a stimulant use disorder but still experiences cravings?

    Answer: Early remission

    DSM-5 'early remission' applies when no criteria (except craving) have been met for 3–12 months.

  7. When assessing polysubstance use, which approach is MOST comprehensive?

    Answer: Screen for all substance classes including tobacco, alcohol, illicits, and non-prescribed medications

    A comprehensive assessment screens across all substance classes because polysubstance use is common and each substance influences treatment planning.