LMSW LMSW Clinical Assessment and Diagnosis Questions and Answers 4

Question 1

Which of the following is a key distinguishing feature between Borderline Personality Disorder and Bipolar II Disorder during clinical assessment?

Accepted Answer

Mood shifts in BPD are typically triggered by interpersonal events and last hours rather than days

Answer

In BPD, mood instability is typically reactive to interpersonal stressors and resolves within hours, whereas Bipolar II mood episodes last days to weeks.

Question 2

A client scores 22 on the PHQ-9. What severity level does this indicate and what clinical action is most warranted?

Accepted Answer

Severe depression; immediate safety assessment and intensive intervention

Answer

A PHQ-9 score of 20–27 indicates severe depression, warranting immediate safety assessment and likely intensive treatment including medication consultation.

Question 3

When assessing for Somatic Symptom Disorder, which feature is required by DSM-5 that was NOT required under DSM-IV Somatization Disorder?

Accepted Answer

Excessive thoughts, feelings, or behaviors related to somatic symptoms

Answer

DSM-5 Somatic Symptom Disorder requires excessive psychological distress or behaviors related to somatic symptoms, even if a medical cause is present, shifting focus from medically unexplained to psychological impact.

Question 4

A social worker notices a client's affect is restricted, mood-incongruent, and shifts rapidly without apparent environmental cause. Which term best describes this affective presentation?

Accepted Answer

Labile affect

Answer

Labile affect refers to rapid, unpredictable shifts in emotional expression that are excessive or disproportionate to the situation.

Question 5

Under the DSM-5, a child who shows symptoms of ADHD only in the home environment but not at school or other settings would most likely:

Accepted Answer

Not meet criteria because DSM-5 requires symptoms in two or more settings

Answer

DSM-5 requires ADHD symptoms to be present in two or more settings (e.g., home and school) to meet diagnostic criteria, ruling out a single-setting presentation.

LMSW - Licensed Master Social Worker Practice Test

LMSW - Licensed Master Social Worker Practice Test

LMSW LMSW Clinical Assessment and Diagnosis Questions and Answers 4