ASPPB Assessment & Diagnosis of Psychological Disorders 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A psychologist uses the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD). Who typically administers this instrument?
- A trained clinician via structured interview (Correct answer)
- The patient independently via self-report
- A computer-administered adaptive test
- A family member as collateral reporter
Correct answer: A trained clinician via structured interview
The HRSD (Hamilton Depression Rating Scale) is a clinician-administered scale requiring a trained interviewer, distinguishing it from self-report measures like the BDI-II.
Question 2: The Halstead-Reitan Neuropsychological Battery (HRNB) uses the Halstead Impairment Index. What does this index represent?
- The proportion of core tests on which the examinee scores in the brain-damaged range (Correct answer)
- The overall IQ-equivalent score derived from neuropsychological testing
- The ratio of verbal to nonverbal cognitive ability
- A composite executive function score
Correct answer: The proportion of core tests on which the examinee scores in the brain-damaged range
The Halstead Impairment Index is computed from the proportion of 10 core HRNB tests on which performance falls in the impaired range, with scores ≥0.5 traditionally indicating brain dysfunction.
Question 3: According to DSM-5, which duration criterion distinguishes Acute Stress Disorder from PTSD?
- Acute Stress Disorder lasts 3 days to 1 month; PTSD is diagnosed after 1 month (Correct answer)
- Acute Stress Disorder lasts up to 1 week; PTSD requires 6 months
- Both disorders require a minimum of 1 month of symptoms
- PTSD can be diagnosed immediately; Acute Stress Disorder requires a 6-month wait
Correct answer: Acute Stress Disorder lasts 3 days to 1 month; PTSD is diagnosed after 1 month
DSM-5 specifies that Acute Stress Disorder symptoms occur between 3 days and 1 month post-trauma, while PTSD is diagnosed when symptoms persist beyond 1 month.
Question 4: In behavioral assessment, an ABC (Antecedent-Behavior-Consequence) analysis is used primarily to:
- Identify environmental triggers and reinforcers maintaining a target behavior (Correct answer)
- Diagnose DSM-5 disorders through behavioral observation
- Measure the reliability of self-report instruments
- Assess neuropsychological deficits via behavioral tasks
Correct answer: Identify environmental triggers and reinforcers maintaining a target behavior
ABC analysis is a functional behavioral assessment strategy that maps the events preceding and following a behavior to understand its environmental determinants and maintaining contingencies.
Question 5: A psychologist assessing for Bipolar I Disorder must document a manic episode. Per DSM-5, what is the MINIMUM required duration of a manic episode?
- At least 7 days (or any duration if hospitalization is required) (Correct answer)
- At least 4 consecutive days
- At least 2 weeks
- At least 1 month
Correct answer: At least 7 days (or any duration if hospitalization is required)
DSM-5 requires manic episodes to last at least 7 days or any duration if the severity necessitates hospitalization; 4 days is the threshold for hypomanic episodes in Bipolar II.
Question 6: Which WAIS-IV index score is considered the BEST single measure of general intellectual ability when processing speed scores are disproportionately low?
- General Ability Index (GAI) (Correct answer)
- Full Scale IQ (FSIQ)
- Cognitive Proficiency Index (CPI)
- Perceptual Reasoning Index (PRI)
Correct answer: General Ability Index (GAI)
The GAI is derived from Verbal Comprehension and Perceptual Reasoning indices only, excluding Working Memory and Processing Speed, making it more robust when speed-related deficits depress the FSIQ.
Question 7: When diagnosing Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, DSM-5 requires that obsessions or compulsions be time-consuming or cause significant distress. Approximately how much time per day qualifies as 'time-consuming'?
- More than 1 hour per day (Correct answer)
- More than 30 minutes per day
- More than 3 hours per day
- Any amount of time if distress is reported
Correct answer: More than 1 hour per day
DSM-5 specifies that obsessions or compulsions taking more than 1 hour per day, or that cause clinically significant distress or functional impairment, meet the time-consuming criterion.
ASPPB Assessment & Diagnosis of Psychological Disorders 5
A psychologist uses the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD).
Who typically administers this instrument?