CPC Mental and Behavioral Health 2

Question 1

A community paramedic visits a patient with schizophrenia who stopped taking antipsychotic medication three weeks ago. Which sign is most indicative of decompensation?

Accepted Answer

Return of auditory hallucinations and paranoid ideation

Answer

Auditory hallucinations and paranoid ideation are classic positive symptoms of schizophrenia that re-emerge when antipsychotic medication is discontinued.

Question 2

When using Motivational Interviewing (MI) with a patient resistant to mental health treatment, which response best demonstrates the 'rolling with resistance' technique?

Accepted Answer

'I understand you're not ready right now — what would need to change for you to consider it?'

Answer

Rolling with resistance means avoiding direct confrontation and instead exploring the patient's perspective to reduce defensiveness and increase openness to change.

Question 3

A patient with bipolar disorder presents in a manic episode with grandiose thinking and poor insight. What is the community paramedic's priority intervention?

Accepted Answer

Assess safety, ensure medication compliance, and coordinate with the psychiatric team

Answer

Safety assessment and medication review are the top priorities, as mania with poor insight increases risk of dangerous decision-making and non-compliance.

Question 4

Which validated screening tool is most appropriate for assessing depression severity in a community paramedic follow-up visit?

Accepted Answer

PHQ-9

Answer

The PHQ-9 (Patient Health Questionnaire-9) is the standard validated tool for screening and measuring depression severity in primary and community care settings.

Question 5

During a home visit, a patient discloses they have been hearing voices commanding them to harm their neighbor. Under mandatory reporting laws, the community paramedic should:

Accepted Answer

Immediately notify appropriate authorities and initiate psychiatric emergency protocols

Answer

Command hallucinations directing harm to an identifiable third party constitute an imminent threat that supersedes confidentiality and requires immediate action.

(CPC) Community Paramedic Certification Practice Test

(CPC) Community Paramedic Certification Practice Test

CPC Mental and Behavioral Health 2