CCM Psychosocial Assessment and Intervention 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A case manager is working with a grieving widow who refuses to accept that her husband has died. According to Kübler-Ross, which stage of grief is she experiencing?
- Bargaining
- Anger
- Denial (Correct answer)
- Depression
Correct answer: Denial
Denial is the first stage in Kübler-Ross's model, where individuals refuse to accept the reality of a loss as a protective psychological mechanism.
Question 2: Which intervention is MOST appropriate when a case manager identifies that a client has limited social support contributing to social isolation?
- Prescribe antidepressants through the care team
- Refer the client to community support groups and social services (Correct answer)
- Advise the client to call family members more frequently
- Discharge the client once medical needs are met
Correct answer: Refer the client to community support groups and social services
Connecting isolated clients to community resources and support groups directly addresses the social determinant of health identified during assessment.
Question 3: A case manager assesses a client with a history of trauma who becomes highly anxious during medical procedures. This response is BEST explained by which psychological concept?
- Operant conditioning
- Cognitive reframing
- Trauma-informed care and trauma triggers (Correct answer)
- Secondary traumatic stress
Correct answer: Trauma-informed care and trauma triggers
Trauma triggers are stimuli that evoke distress responses in individuals with trauma histories, which is a core concept in trauma-informed care.
Question 4: When assessing an elderly client for cognitive impairment, which tool is most appropriate for a brief initial screening?
- Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS)
- Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) (Correct answer)
- Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A)
- CAGE Questionnaire
Correct answer: Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE)
The MMSE is a widely validated brief cognitive screening tool used to detect and monitor cognitive impairment in older adults.
Question 5: A case manager is working with a client who has a substance use disorder. The client says, 'I know I drink too much, but I'm not ready to quit yet.' What stage of change is the client in?
- Precontemplation
- Contemplation (Correct answer)
- Preparation
- Maintenance
Correct answer: Contemplation
Contemplation is characterized by awareness of a problem and ambivalence about change — the client acknowledges the issue but is not yet committed to action.
Question 6: Which of the following BEST describes the concept of 'locus of control' as it applies to psychosocial assessment?
- A client's belief about who controls outcomes in their life (Correct answer)
- The geographic area where a client receives mental health services
- A measurement of a client's financial independence
- A framework for determining legal guardianship
Correct answer: A client's belief about who controls outcomes in their life
Locus of control refers to whether individuals believe their life outcomes are primarily controlled by themselves (internal) or by external forces.
Question 7: A case manager is conducting a suicide risk assessment. Which factor represents the HIGHEST risk for suicide attempt?
- Expressing vague feelings of hopelessness
- Having a specific plan, means, and timeline (Correct answer)
- A family history of depression
- Verbally stating they feel sad
Correct answer: Having a specific plan, means, and timeline
The presence of a specific suicide plan with identified means and a timeline is the strongest indicator of imminent suicide risk requiring immediate intervention.
CCM Psychosocial Assessment and Intervention 3
A case manager is working with a grieving widow who refuses to accept that her husband has died.
According to Kübler-Ross, which stage of grief is she experiencing?