Chemical Dependency Counselor License Exam Case Management and Referral 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A client discloses they have been living in their car since leaving residential treatment two weeks ago. The counselor's IMMEDIATE case management priority is:
- Scheduling an additional therapy session to process the client's feelings about homelessness
- Connecting the client to emergency shelter and housing resources while continuing addiction treatment (Correct answer)
- Recommending the client return to residential treatment without addressing housing
- Documenting the situation for the next team meeting in two weeks
Correct answer: Connecting the client to emergency shelter and housing resources while continuing addiction treatment
Housing instability is a medical and safety emergency that requires immediate action; addressing it concurrently with addiction treatment is essential under a harm reduction and recovery-support framework.
Question 2: Which of the following BEST illustrates the principle of client self-determination in case management?
- The counselor selects referral resources based on their professional judgment without consulting the client
- The counselor presents options and supports the client in making informed choices about their own care (Correct answer)
- The counselor follows agency protocol regardless of the client's stated preferences
- The counselor delays referral until the client demonstrates readiness as measured by attendance
Correct answer: The counselor presents options and supports the client in making informed choices about their own care
Self-determination requires that clients be presented with options and supported to make their own informed decisions about services and referrals.
Question 3: A counselor is completing a biopsychosocial assessment to guide case management planning. Which domain is UNIQUE to the psychosocial component of this assessment?
- Vital signs and laboratory results
- Family relationships, social supports, employment, and legal history (Correct answer)
- Current medications and medical diagnoses
- Presenting substance type and withdrawal risk
Correct answer: Family relationships, social supports, employment, and legal history
The psychosocial component of a biopsychosocial assessment captures social functioning domains including family, employment, social supports, and legal involvement.
Question 4: When a client requires services beyond the scope of the current treatment program, the counselor's ethical obligation is to:
- Continue providing all services in-house to maintain the therapeutic relationship
- Refer the client to appropriate resources while maintaining coordination and continuity of care (Correct answer)
- Advise the client to seek services independently without case management support
- Delay the referral until the client has completed the current level of care
Correct answer: Refer the client to appropriate resources while maintaining coordination and continuity of care
Counselors are ethically obligated to refer clients to appropriate services when client needs exceed scope of practice, while supporting a coordinated transition.
Question 5: In recovery-oriented systems of care (ROSC), what distinguishes peer recovery support services from traditional clinical case management?
- Peer support services are provided by licensed clinicians with advanced degrees
- Peer support is delivered by individuals with lived experience of recovery who offer experiential guidance (Correct answer)
- Peer support services focus exclusively on medication management
- Peer support replaces all clinical treatment and case management functions
Correct answer: Peer support is delivered by individuals with lived experience of recovery who offer experiential guidance
Peer recovery support services are distinguished by the lived experience of the provider, offering a unique form of hope, mentorship, and practical guidance grounded in personal recovery.
Question 6: A counselor discovers that a referred community agency has a six-month waiting list. The MOST appropriate case management response is:
- Place the client on the waiting list and provide no interim support
- Place the client on the waiting list while identifying interim bridge services to address needs until the primary service is available (Correct answer)
- Cancel the referral and document that services are unavailable
- Encourage the client to seek the service in another city or state
Correct answer: Place the client on the waiting list while identifying interim bridge services to address needs until the primary service is available
Effective case management anticipates service gaps by securing interim supports while clients await primary service availability, preventing deterioration and dropout.
Question 7: Which of the following scenarios BEST demonstrates appropriate follow-up after a referral?
- Closing the case immediately after the referral is made
- Contacting the client and receiving provider to confirm the appointment was kept and services were received (Correct answer)
- Waiting for the receiving agency to report back without proactive follow-up
- Assuming successful follow-through if the client does not contact the counselor with problems
Correct answer: Contacting the client and receiving provider to confirm the appointment was kept and services were received
Active follow-up with both the client and the receiving provider confirms service linkage occurred and allows the counselor to address any barriers to engagement.
