LMSW LMSW Clinical Assessment and Diagnosis Questions and Answers 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A client presents with a 3-week history of depressed mood, anhedonia, hypersomnia, and psychomotor retardation. Which specifier best applies if these symptoms follow a seasonal pattern each winter?
- With melancholic features
- With atypical features
- With seasonal pattern (Correct answer)
- With peripartum onset
Correct answer: With seasonal pattern
The 'with seasonal pattern' specifier in DSM-5 applies when the onset and remission of Major Depressive Episodes follows a regular seasonal pattern, most commonly fall/winter onset.
Question 2: When using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5 (SCID-5), the social worker is employing what type of assessment tool?
- Projective instrument
- Standardized semi-structured diagnostic interview (Correct answer)
- Self-report questionnaire
- Behavioral observation checklist
Correct answer: Standardized semi-structured diagnostic interview
The SCID-5 is a semi-structured interview that guides clinicians through DSM-5 diagnostic criteria using both open-ended and closed questions.
Question 3: A veteran reports recurrent intrusive memories, avoidance of war-related stimuli, negative alterations in cognition, and hypervigilance lasting 8 months post-combat. What is the most appropriate diagnosis?
- Acute Stress Disorder
- Adjustment Disorder with Anxious Mood
- PTSD (Correct answer)
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Correct answer: PTSD
PTSD requires symptoms from all four clusters (intrusion, avoidance, negative alterations, hyperarousal) lasting more than one month following a traumatic event.
Question 4: Which of the following best describes 'flight of ideas' as observed during a mental status examination?
- Slowed, monosyllabic speech with long latency
- Rapid, nearly continuous speech with abrupt topic shifts connected by loose associations (Correct answer)
- Fixed false belief resistant to contradictory evidence
- Sudden intrusive, ego-dystonic thoughts the client cannot control
Correct answer: Rapid, nearly continuous speech with abrupt topic shifts connected by loose associations
Flight of ideas involves rapid speech with rapid topic shifts where connections between topics are still discernible, commonly seen in manic episodes.
Question 5: A 14-year-old has shown a pattern of lying, bullying, truancy, and cruelty to animals for 14 months. Which diagnosis is most consistent with DSM-5 criteria?
- Oppositional Defiant Disorder
- Antisocial Personality Disorder
- Conduct Disorder (Correct answer)
- Intermittent Explosive Disorder
Correct answer: Conduct Disorder
Conduct Disorder requires a repetitive pattern violating the rights of others or societal norms across at least three of fifteen criteria lasting 12+ months, and is diagnosed in those under 18.
Question 6: In a biopsychosocial assessment, which domain specifically addresses a client's access to social support, housing stability, and financial resources?
- Biological
- Psychological
- Social (Correct answer)
- Cultural
Correct answer: Social
The social domain of a biopsychosocial assessment captures environmental and contextual factors such as support systems, housing, finances, and community resources.
Question 7: A client who persistently believes her coworkers are conspiring against her despite clear evidence to the contrary is displaying which symptom?
- Hallucination
- Delusion of persecution (Correct answer)
- Idea of reference
- Thought insertion
Correct answer: Delusion of persecution
A persecutory delusion is a fixed false belief that one is being harmed, harassed, or conspired against, resistant to contradictory evidence.
LMSW LMSW Clinical Assessment and Diagnosis Questions and Answers 3
A client presents with a 3-week history of depressed mood, anhedonia, hypersomnia, and psychomotor retardation.
Which specifier best applies if these symptoms follow a seasonal pattern each winter?