CAS Communication & Stakeholder Engagement 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When a client expresses ambivalence about treatment, which motivational interviewing technique best helps the specialist resolve that ambivalence?
- Developing discrepancy between current behavior and stated goals (Correct answer)
- Providing direct advice on the risks of continued use
- Confronting the client with the consequences of relapse
- Scheduling more frequent sessions to increase accountability
Correct answer: Developing discrepancy between current behavior and stated goals
Developing discrepancy helps clients see the gap between their current behavior and their own values or goals, which is a core MI strategy for resolving ambivalence.
Question 2: A CAS is preparing a treatment progress report for a referring physician. Which element is MOST critical to include for effective interdisciplinary communication?
- Standardized clinical language describing treatment milestones and current functional status (Correct answer)
- Detailed personal history the client shared in confidence
- A list of the client's insurance claim numbers
- The specialist's personal opinion on the client's prognosis
Correct answer: Standardized clinical language describing treatment milestones and current functional status
Standardized clinical language ensures the physician can interpret findings accurately and facilitates coordinated care.
Question 3: During a family education session, a family member becomes defensive when addiction is described as a brain disease. The best response is to:
- Acknowledge their perspective and provide evidence-based information without arguing (Correct answer)
- Insist that science has proven addiction is a disease and move on
- Exclude the family member from future sessions to protect group dynamics
- Refer the family member to therapy before allowing them to participate
Correct answer: Acknowledge their perspective and provide evidence-based information without arguing
Acknowledging resistance while offering factual, non-confrontational education respects the family member and keeps them engaged in the process.
Question 4: Which communication barrier is MOST likely to occur when a CAS works with a client who has low health literacy?
- The client misunderstands clinical instructions or treatment expectations (Correct answer)
- The client refuses to sign consent forms
- The client provides inaccurate billing information
- The client avoids all group therapy sessions
Correct answer: The client misunderstands clinical instructions or treatment expectations
Low health literacy commonly leads to misunderstanding of clinical language, medication instructions, and treatment plans.
Question 5: A CAS is collaborating with a probation officer regarding a shared client. To maintain the therapeutic relationship while complying with legal obligations, the specialist should:
- Share only the information authorized by the client's signed release and required by the court order (Correct answer)
- Provide full case notes to satisfy the probation officer's request
- Refuse to communicate with the probation officer to protect confidentiality
- Ask the client to speak with the probation officer directly without specialist involvement
Correct answer: Share only the information authorized by the client's signed release and required by the court order
Sharing only authorized and legally required information protects the client's rights while fulfilling the specialist's legal duties.
Question 6: Which approach is MOST effective when facilitating a psychoeducation group where participants have varying levels of substance use knowledge?
- Using simple language, visual aids, and checking for understanding throughout the session (Correct answer)
- Delivering a standardized lecture and distributing printed handouts only
- Asking more knowledgeable participants to teach less knowledgeable ones
- Limiting the group to participants with similar educational backgrounds
Correct answer: Using simple language, visual aids, and checking for understanding throughout the session
Accessible language and ongoing comprehension checks ensure that all group members benefit regardless of their prior knowledge level.
Question 7: A client's employer calls the treatment center asking whether the client is enrolled in the program. The CAS should:
- Neither confirm nor deny the client's enrollment without a valid signed release (Correct answer)
- Confirm enrollment because it may help the client keep their job
- Tell the employer to contact the client directly
- Ask the employer to submit a written request before answering
Correct answer: Neither confirm nor deny the client's enrollment without a valid signed release
Under 42 CFR Part 2 and HIPAA, the specialist may not confirm or deny enrollment without the client's written authorization.
CAS Communication & Stakeholder Engagement 2
When a client expresses ambivalence about treatment, which motivational interviewing technique best helps the specialist resolve that ambivalence?