ASWB Clinical Assessment 2

Question 1

A client presents with persistent sadness, anhedonia, hypersomnia, and psychomotor retardation lasting 6 weeks. Which diagnostic category BEST fits this presentation?

Accepted Answer

Major Depressive Disorder

Answer

The cluster of neurovegetative symptoms lasting at least two weeks with functional impairment meets DSM-5 criteria for Major Depressive Disorder.

Question 2

During a biopsychosocial assessment, a social worker learns that a client's 'panic attacks' occur only in specific social situations. What assessment distinction is MOST important to clarify?

Accepted Answer

Whether the fear is of negative evaluation versus physical danger

Answer

Distinguishing fear of negative evaluation (Social Anxiety Disorder) from unexpected attacks with fear of physical symptoms (Panic Disorder) drives accurate diagnosis.

Question 3

A social worker uses the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS). What does this instrument primarily measure?

Accepted Answer

Suicidal ideation intensity and suicidal behavior

Answer

The C-SSRS categorizes suicidal ideation across a spectrum of severity and separately tracks actual suicidal behaviors.

Question 4

A client who survived combat reports nightmares, hypervigilance, emotional numbing, and avoidance of crowds. These symptoms began 3 months after returning home. Which assessment finding is MOST consistent with PTSD?

Accepted Answer

Symptom duration of at least one month with functional impairment

Answer

PTSD requires symptoms from all four clusters lasting more than one month with clinically significant distress or functional impairment.

Question 5

When assessing a child for ADHD, a social worker MUST gather information from multiple informants because:

Accepted Answer

Symptoms must be present in two or more settings per DSM-5 criteria

Answer

DSM-5 requires ADHD symptoms to be present in two or more settings, making multi-informant data from home and school essential.

ASWB - Association of Social Work Boards Practice Test

ASWB - Association of Social Work Boards Practice Test

ASWB Clinical Assessment 2