Chemical Dependency Counselor License Exam Case Management and Referral 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A counselor learns that a client's transportation barrier is preventing attendance at outpatient sessions. The MOST appropriate case management response is:
- Discharge the client for non-attendance
- Explore transportation assistance programs, telehealth options, or closer service locations (Correct answer)
- Reduce session frequency without addressing the underlying barrier
- Refer the client back to residential treatment
Correct answer: Explore transportation assistance programs, telehealth options, or closer service locations
Identifying and addressing practical barriers like transportation is a core case management function that supports treatment access and retention.
Question 2: A client who completed treatment six months ago calls requesting help accessing food assistance. The counselor's BEST response under a continuing care model is:
- Decline assistance since the client has completed formal treatment
- Provide referral information and connect the client to community resources as part of ongoing recovery support (Correct answer)
- Require the client to re-enroll in treatment before receiving case management services
- Direct the client exclusively to 211 without any counselor involvement
Correct answer: Provide referral information and connect the client to community resources as part of ongoing recovery support
Continuing care models recognize that recovery support extends beyond formal treatment, and addressing basic needs like food security supports sustained recovery.
Question 3: Which documentation element is MOST critical when making a referral to ensure continuity of care?
- A summary of the client's demographic information only
- Relevant clinical history, current needs, and the specific reason for referral (Correct answer)
- A copy of the client's insurance card
- Notes from the most recent 12-step meeting attended
Correct answer: Relevant clinical history, current needs, and the specific reason for referral
Comprehensive referral documentation including clinical history, current needs, and referral rationale ensures the receiving provider can deliver informed, continuous care.
Question 4: In case management, 'level of care' determination is PRIMARILY based on:
- The client's personal preference for treatment setting only
- Standardized criteria such as ASAM that match client needs to appropriate service intensity (Correct answer)
- Insurance coverage limitations alone
- The availability of beds at local facilities
Correct answer: Standardized criteria such as ASAM that match client needs to appropriate service intensity
ASAM criteria and similar standardized tools assess multiple dimensions of client need to match individuals to the most appropriate and effective level of care.
Question 5: A counselor suspects a client is experiencing domestic violence but the client has not disclosed it. The MOST appropriate case management approach is:
- Confront the client directly and demand disclosure before continuing treatment
- Create a safe, supportive environment and gently inquire using a validated screening tool (Correct answer)
- Document the suspicion and take no further action to protect client privacy
- Contact law enforcement immediately without speaking to the client
Correct answer: Create a safe, supportive environment and gently inquire using a validated screening tool
Using a validated screening tool in a safe, non-coercive manner respects client autonomy while ensuring the counselor fulfills their duty to assess for safety risks.
Question 6: The PRIMARY purpose of a case conference in chemical dependency treatment is to:
- Assign blame for treatment failures among team members
- Review client progress and coordinate care decisions across multiple providers (Correct answer)
- Reduce the counselor's individual caseload documentation burden
- Determine billing codes for submitted services
Correct answer: Review client progress and coordinate care decisions across multiple providers
Case conferences bring together multiple providers to review client progress, address emerging needs, and ensure coordinated, cohesive treatment planning.
Question 7: When a client transitions from inpatient detoxification to outpatient treatment, the counselor's MOST important action to prevent relapse is:
- Providing the client with a list of AA meeting locations only
- Ensuring a scheduled appointment at the outpatient program before discharge from detox (Correct answer)
- Waiting for the client to contact outpatient services independently
- Recommending a 30-day waiting period before beginning outpatient services
Correct answer: Ensuring a scheduled appointment at the outpatient program before discharge from detox
Scheduling an outpatient appointment before detox discharge reduces the gap between levels of care, a critical risk period for relapse.
