CASAC Screening, Assessment, and Diagnosis 2

Question 1

When conducting a substance use history during assessment, which of the following information is most important to obtain for each substance used?

Accepted Answer

Age of first use, route of administration, frequency and quantity of current use, last use, and previous treatment episodes

Answer

A comprehensive substance use history must capture the full picture of each substance including onset, route, pattern, recency, and treatment history.

Question 2

The PHQ-9 (Patient Health Questionnaire-9) is commonly used in substance abuse settings to screen for which co-occurring condition?

Accepted Answer

Major depressive disorder

Answer

The PHQ-9 is a validated 9-item screening tool specifically designed to assess the severity of depressive symptoms based on DSM criteria.

Question 3

What is the clinical significance of distinguishing between a substance-induced psychiatric disorder and an independent psychiatric disorder in a client with co-occurring substance use?

Accepted Answer

The distinction guides treatment — substance-induced disorders are expected to resolve with abstinence, while independent disorders require ongoing psychiatric treatment even after substance use stops

Answer

Distinguishing between substance-induced and independent psychiatric disorders is essential because it determines whether psychiatric symptoms will resolve with abstinence or require separate, ongoing treatment.

Question 4

When assessing a client's readiness for change regarding substance use, which validated instrument specifically measures motivation and readiness along the stages of change continuum?

Accepted Answer

URICA (University of Rhode Island Change Assessment)

Answer

The URICA is specifically designed to measure an individual's readiness for change across the stages of the Transtheoretical Model, helping match interventions to the client's current stage.

Question 5

A substance abuse counselor administers the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) to a new client. What specific aspect of suicide risk does this instrument assess?

Accepted Answer

It systematically classifies suicidal ideation by severity (passive to active with plan and intent) and assesses suicidal behavior, providing a structured risk classification

Answer

The C-SSRS provides a structured classification of suicidal ideation severity (from passive wish for death to active ideation with specific plan and intent) and documents suicidal behaviors.

CASAC - Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor Practice Test

CASAC - Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor Practice Test

CASAC Screening, Assessment, and Diagnosis 2