LMSW Exam prep Questions And Answers 2023
DSM: Development of diagnosis - correct answer-hypothesis (diagnostic formulation); Gather information and make assessment
(723.1)
Diagnostic Formulation considerations: - correct answer-1. onset of issue
2. chronic/episodic
3. Family history
4. Use Multiple Sources (client, collateral)
5. context of information (e.g., currently in crisis?)
6. Use clinician observation and client reports
(723.1)
Assessment - correct answer-Rule out: 1) Malingering and Factitious Disorder, 2) a substance etiology, 3) an etiological medical condition, 4) determining the specific primary disorder(s), 5) differentiating Adjustment Disorder from the residual Other Specified and Unspecified
conditions, and 6) establishing the boundary with no mental disorder.
(723.1)
Parsimony - correct answer-Use the fewest dx's to explain the most/all symptoms (723.1)
Diagnostic Challenges - correct answer-1. inadequate data
2. multiple diagnoses
3. atypical presentations
4. limited intake time
(723.1)
MSE (Mental Status Exam) Considerations - correct answer-1. Appearance (hygiene, facial hair, body art/piercings, clothing)
2. Attitude (rapport, degree of engagement)
3. Behavior (calm, energetic, tired? )
4. Movement (pscyhomotor retardation/agitation)
5. Gait/posture/tics
6. Eye contact and Facial Expressions
7. Speech (volume, rate, style, accent, clarity)
8. Mood: Client's report of emotional state
9. Affect: Clinician's observation of outward emotional presentation 10. Thought Process: Quality, content and Rate (obsessions?)
11. Perceptions: client experience of world
12: Oriented x 3 (person, place, date)
13. SI/HI (current, recent, hx)
14. Insight: level of awareness
15. Judgment: impulse control
16. Memory: Immediate/ST(recent)/LT(remote)
(723.1)
[II.A]
Schizophrenia - correct answer-1. increase in prodromal sx: isolation, depression, reduced self care, and changes in perception
2. onset: Late teens/early adult
3. compounded or triggered by AOD/SA
4. Positive Sx: *hallucinations *delusions (beliefs in the face of contradictory reality) *Disorganized: Speech/Behavior/Thinking
5. Negative Sx: *Lack of motivation/interest *limited emotional expression
6. Duration: sx for >6 months *Brief Psychotic Disorder: 1 day to 1 month *Schizophreniform Disorder: 1 to 6 months
(723.2)
Other Psychotic Disorders - correct answer-1. Schizoaffective: Schizophrenia with a concurrent mood disorder
2. Delusional disorder: (bizarre beliefs)
(723.2)
Anti-psychotic medications: - correct answer-Neuroleptics. First generation (typical) anti-
psychotics (1940s)
1. Thorazine
2. Stelazine
Second Generation: (atypical) (1980s)
1. Clozapine
2. Risperidone
All work on neurotransmitters (dopamine, sometimes serotonin)
(723.2)
Social Work Interventions for Schizophrenia - correct answer-1. SST-Social Skills Training 2. CBT- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
3. ACT-Assertive Community Treatment
(723.2)
Differential Diagnosis - correct answer-(723.3)
Major Depressive Disorder - correct answer-1. Depressed mood
2. Decreased motivation
3. Decreased interest in previously pleasurable activities
4. Anhedonia
5. Inappropriate guilt/self-deprecation
6. Insomnia/hypersomnia
7. increased fatigue
8. Cognitive issues
9. Suicidal ideation
(723.3)
Etiology of Depression - correct answer-*no 'brain test'
*Neurotransmitters: imbalances in serotonin, dopamine and norepinepherine are correlated with depression
*Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis is hyperactive (impacts stress) *fMRI : abnormalities in reward seeking, emotion processing in adults with depression
Risk Factors for depression: - correct answer-1. First degree family member w/ dx/hx
2. Environment factors: abuse, adverse experiences
3. Temperament: negative affect
Prevalence of depression - correct answer-According to the National Institute of Mental Health, the twelve-month prevalence rate is 7%, with 30% of those cases, or 2% of the U.S. adult population, considered to be severe. The percentage sounds low, but if the adult population is around 237.6 million, that means around 4 million people in the U.S. have reported having depression in the past year.
The percentages by age group are as follows: 18-25 years: 9%, 26-49 years: 7.5%, 50+
years: 4.5%. The breakdown by gender is as follows: Women 8%, Men 4.5%.
(723.3)
Medications for Depression - correct answer-1. Tricyclics (not always effective)
2. MAOIs (monoamine oxidase inhibitors)(dietary restrictions)
3. SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors)(Zoloft)
4. SNRIs (selective norepinepherine reuptake inhibitors) (Cymbalta: SNRI/SSRI combination)
5. Abilify: Anti-psychotic used to treat depression
(723.3)
Social Work Interventions for Depression - correct answer-CBT (723.3)
Bipolar I Disorder - correct answer-1. Euphoria
2. Inflated self-esteem
3. Decreased need for sleep
4. Increased energy
5. pressured speech
6. Irritability
7. impulse control problems
8. Increased denial
9. No Major Depressive episode is required
(723.3)
Bipolar II Disorder - correct answer-same as Bipolar I, only with hypomanic experience .
(723.3)
Bipolar: Hypomania v. mania - correct answer-1. No hospitalization
2. shorter duration
3. no psychotic symptoms
4. Does not significantly impair occupational/social functioning
Medications for Bipolar - correct answer-1. Mood stabilizers: a. Lithium b. Lamictyl c. Depakote
2. Anti-psychotics a. Abilify b. Seroquel c. Zyprexa d. Risperdal
(723.3)
Bipolar assessment: - correct answer-chart 'sine wave' of mood (y-axis) over time (x-
axis), adding in significant events at appropriate time and reflecting 'rate' of cycle
Social Work Interventions for Bipolar disorder - correct answer-1. CBT
2. DBT
3. Family or couples therapy
(723.3)
Cyclothymia - correct answer-depressive and hypomanic episodes are less severe than in Bipolar II
(723.3)
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