CRSS Mentoring and Education 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A recovery support specialist is asked to provide psychoeducation about medication-assisted treatment (MAT). The MOST appropriate action is to:
- Share accurate, stigma-free information and encourage questions while noting that prescribing decisions are made by medical providers (Correct answer)
- Advise the mentee on which MAT medication is best for their situation
- Decline to discuss MAT because it is a clinical topic
- Share personal opinions about whether MAT represents 'real recovery'
Correct answer: Share accurate, stigma-free information and encourage questions while noting that prescribing decisions are made by medical providers
RSS can provide factual, non-stigmatizing education about MAT while deferring clinical and prescribing decisions to licensed providers.
Question 2: The concept of 'role modeling' in peer mentoring is BEST described as:
- Demonstrating recovery behaviors and attitudes through one's own actions and choices (Correct answer)
- Acting as a supervisor who models clinical techniques for interns
- Requiring the mentee to imitate the mentor's exact recovery path
- Showing the mentee a video of someone in recovery to observe
Correct answer: Demonstrating recovery behaviors and attitudes through one's own actions and choices
Role modeling involves authentic demonstration of recovery values and behaviors, which can inspire and guide mentees.
Question 3: When a mentee expresses frustration about being required to attend educational workshops, the BEST motivational approach is to:
- Explore how the workshops might connect to the mentee's personal goals and values (Correct answer)
- Remind the mentee that attendance is required and non-negotiable
- Excuse the mentee from attending and document their resistance
- Offer to attend the workshop in the mentee's place to summarize it later
Correct answer: Explore how the workshops might connect to the mentee's personal goals and values
Linking requirements to personal goals uses motivational interviewing principles to increase intrinsic motivation.
Question 4: In peer mentoring, 'reciprocal learning' refers to:
- A dynamic in which both mentor and mentee gain knowledge and insight from the relationship (Correct answer)
- A formal exchange program where mentors and mentees swap roles each session
- A requirement that mentees teach skills back to the mentor to demonstrate learning
- Clinical supervision in which professionals teach peers and receive feedback
Correct answer: A dynamic in which both mentor and mentee gain knowledge and insight from the relationship
Peer relationships are mutually enriching; mentors often report growing in their own recovery as a result of mentoring others.
Question 5: A culturally responsive mentor working with someone from a collectivist cultural background should:
- Recognize that family and community may play a central role in the mentee's recovery and education goals (Correct answer)
- Focus exclusively on building the mentee's individual independence from family
- Advise the mentee to adopt mainstream recovery approaches that are most evidence-based
- Avoid discussing cultural background to prevent bias
Correct answer: Recognize that family and community may play a central role in the mentee's recovery and education goals
Culturally responsive mentoring honors each person's cultural context, including the role of family and community in their recovery.
Question 6: Which of the following is an example of informal mentoring in recovery support?
- A peer sharing coping strategies over coffee while discussing the week's challenges (Correct answer)
- A structured 12-week peer mentoring curriculum delivered in a clinical setting
- A formal internship program pairing recovery coaches with supervisors
- A scheduled monthly case conference between an RSS and their supervisor
Correct answer: A peer sharing coping strategies over coffee while discussing the week's challenges
Informal mentoring occurs naturally in everyday interactions rather than through structured, scheduled programming.
Question 7: When a peer mentor observes a mentee misunderstanding information about their prescribed medication, the CORRECT action is to:
- Gently clarify the correct information and encourage the mentee to discuss the medication with their prescriber (Correct answer)
- Directly advise the mentee to take the medication differently based on general knowledge
- Document the misunderstanding and wait for the prescriber to address it at the next appointment
- Contact the pharmacy on the mentee's behalf to request a medication review
Correct answer: Gently clarify the correct information and encourage the mentee to discuss the medication with their prescriber
Peer mentors can offer basic factual clarification and facilitate connection to appropriate medical professionals, staying within their scope.
CRSS Mentoring and Education 3
A recovery support specialist is asked to provide psychoeducation about medication-assisted treatment (MAT).
The MOST appropriate action is to: