NSC Clinical Evaluation 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which screening tool is commonly used by NSC-trained counselors to assess alcohol use disorder severity?
- PHQ-9
- AUDIT (Correct answer)
- GAD-7
- PCL-5
Correct answer: AUDIT
The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) is the standard 10-item screening tool used to identify hazardous, harmful, and dependent alcohol use.
Question 2: During a clinical evaluation, a client denies substance use but shows constricted pupils and track marks. What is this discrepancy called?
- Confirmation bias
- Incongruence between self-report and clinical signs (Correct answer)
- Secondary gain
- Transference
Correct answer: Incongruence between self-report and clinical signs
When objective physical findings contradict a client's self-report, this is documented as incongruence and requires further assessment.
Question 3: What does the 'B' in the CAGE questionnaire stand for?
- Blackout (Correct answer)
- Bothered
- Been drinking
- Binge
Correct answer: Blackout
CAGE stands for Cut down, Annoyed, Guilty, and Eye-opener — 'B' is not part of the acronym; 'Blackout' is a distractor.
Question 4: Which clinical evaluation component gathers information about family history of substance use disorders?
- Mental status examination
- Psychosocial history (Correct answer)
- Functional assessment
- Crisis plan
Correct answer: Psychosocial history
The psychosocial history section captures family background, including genetic predisposition through family substance use patterns.
Question 5: A score of 20 or higher on the AUDIT indicates what level of risk?
- Hazardous drinking
- Harmful drinking
- Likely alcohol dependence (Correct answer)
- Abstinent
Correct answer: Likely alcohol dependence
AUDIT scores of 20–40 suggest likely alcohol dependence and warrant referral to a specialist for diagnosis and treatment.
Question 6: What is the primary purpose of a mental status examination (MSE) in clinical evaluation?
- Diagnose DSM-5 disorders
- Document observable psychological functioning at the time of assessment (Correct answer)
- Determine insurance eligibility
- Screen for medical conditions
Correct answer: Document observable psychological functioning at the time of assessment
The MSE systematically describes a client's current cognitive, emotional, and behavioral presentation as observed during the interview.
Question 7: Which of the following best describes the biopsychosocial model used in NSC clinical evaluations?
- Focuses exclusively on genetic and neurological factors
- Considers biological, psychological, and social factors together (Correct answer)
- Prioritizes social environment over individual factors
- Uses only behavioral observations
Correct answer: Considers biological, psychological, and social factors together
The biopsychosocial model integrates biological, psychological, and social influences to provide a comprehensive understanding of a client's condition.
NSC Clinical Evaluation 2
Which screening tool is commonly used by NSC-trained counselors to assess alcohol use disorder severity?