Evaluation and Diagnosis Flashcards
7 cards from real HSP practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Evaluation and Diagnosis flashcards as text
A patient scores in the 85th percentile on a standardized psychological test. This means the patient performed better than:
Answer: 85% of the normative sample
A percentile rank of 85 means the patient outperformed 85% of individuals in the normative comparison group.
When assessing for alcohol use disorder using DSM-5 criteria, which feature distinguishes mild from moderate severity?
Answer: Number of diagnostic criteria met (2–3 vs. 4–5)
DSM-5 specifies mild AUD as 2–3 criteria, moderate as 4–5 criteria, and severe as 6 or more criteria met within a 12-month period.
A health psychologist assessing quality of life in a patient with HIV selects the MOS-HIV. This instrument is most appropriate because it:
Answer: Includes disease-specific domains relevant to HIV/AIDS
The MOS-HIV is a disease-targeted QOL measure that includes domains particularly sensitive to the health status changes seen in HIV/AIDS patients.
A patient presents with identity disturbance, frantic efforts to avoid abandonment, and recurrent suicidal gestures. To confirm a diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder, at least how many of the nine DSM-5 criteria must be met?
Answer: 5
DSM-5 requires 5 or more of the 9 BPD criteria to be met for a diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder.
A clinician is differentiating between delirium and dementia in a hospitalized elderly patient. The feature most characteristic of delirium (versus dementia) is:
Answer: Acute onset with fluctuating course
Delirium is distinguished by its acute onset and fluctuating course across the day, in contrast to dementia's gradual progression and more stable daily presentation.
In evaluating a patient for Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia), the minimum duration of depressed mood required by DSM-5 for adults is:
Answer: 2 years
DSM-5 requires at least 2 years of depressed mood present more days than not for a diagnosis of Persistent Depressive Disorder in adults.
A health psychologist uses the PROMIS (Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System) for assessment. A key methodological advantage of PROMIS over traditional fixed-length scales is:
Answer: It uses item response theory and computer adaptive testing to reduce burden
PROMIS employs item response theory and computer adaptive testing, allowing precise measurement with fewer items by selecting questions based on prior responses.