Intake, Assessment, and Diagnosis Flashcards

A counselor uses the PHQ-9 during intake. A client scores 18. This score indicates:

Answer: Moderately severe depression

PHQ-9 scores of 15–19 indicate moderately severe depression, warranting active treatment planning.

During intake, a client discloses ongoing domestic violence at home. The counselor's FIRST clinical obligation is to:

Answer: Assess the client's immediate safety

Before any action, the counselor must assess the client's immediate safety level to guide appropriate next steps.

Which of the following is NOT a specifier used with Major Depressive Disorder in the DSM-5?

Answer: With rapid cycling

Rapid cycling is a specifier for Bipolar Disorder, not Major Depressive Disorder.

A client presents with a 2-year history of depressed mood more days than not, accompanied by poor concentration and low self-esteem. No Major Depressive Episodes are identified. The MOST likely diagnosis is:

Answer: Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia)

Persistent Depressive Disorder requires a depressed mood for at least 2 years in adults without meeting full MDD criteria.

Which screening tool is MOST appropriate for initial assessment of alcohol use disorder severity?

Answer: CAGE questionnaire

The CAGE questionnaire is a validated, brief 4-item tool specifically designed to screen for problematic alcohol use.

A client reports that for the past 5 months they have felt 'on top of the world,' needed only 3 hours of sleep, spent $40,000 impulsively, and started three businesses. This pattern MOST suggests:

Answer: Manic episode

A manic episode lasts at least 7 days with marked impairment; this client's duration and functional impact meet manic, not hypomanic, criteria.

In a clinical intake with a refugee client, the counselor observes culturally specific expressions of distress unfamiliar in Western diagnostic frameworks. The counselor should FIRST:

Answer: Consult the DSM-5 Cultural Formulation Interview (CFI)

The DSM-5's Cultural Formulation Interview helps clinicians explore cultural context, identity, and explanatory models before diagnosis.