Chapter 4 - Assessment Components + Prescriptions

Question 1

Mental Status Exam includes what

Answer 1

1. Appearance
2. Orientation
3. Speech
4. Affect/mood
5. Potential for harm
6. Judgment/Insight
7. Thought processes/reality testing
8. Intellectual functioning/memory

Question 2

What factors influence how clients experience chronic illness/disability?

Answer 2

1. Personal characteristics (gender, race, age, coping style)
2. Social and family supports
3. Socioeconomic status
4. Culture
5. Environment (physical, social, political)
6. Activities (restrictions on ADL, work, school)
7. Personal goals

Question 3

Psychosocial stress (when does it happen and due to what?)

Answer 3

When there is a perceived threat (real or imagined)

Can be caused by current upsetting events, events from the past, and ongoing problems

Question 4

Differential diagnosis

Answer 4

Systematic diagnostic method used to identify the presence of an entity where multiple alternatives are possible

Question 5

What are some of the signs of substance abuse?

Answer 5

Problems at work, home, relationships
Neglected responsibilities
Dangerous behaviors
Financial aid/legal trouble
Creating tolerance
Feeling out of control/powerless
Life-consuming - abandonment of activities
Psychological issues - mood swings, paranoia, depression

Question 6

Somatization

Answer 6

unconscious process by which psychological distress is expressed as physical symptoms

Question 7

Co-occuring disorders

Answer 7

Present when 2+ disorders occurring at same time

To be co-occuring, must be independent from other disorder’s symptomalogy

Question 8

Organic Brain Syndrome (what does this describe and some examples)

Answer 8

used to describe physical disorders that impair mental function
ex: alcoholism, Alzheimer’s, Fetal Alcohol Disorders, parkinsons, stroke

Question 9

Antipsychotics

Answer 9

Treat schizophrenia and mania
typical and atypical
ex: Haldol, thorazine

Question 10

Antimanic agents

Answer 10

aka mood stabilizers
used to treat Bipolar Disorder
ex: Lamictal, Lithium, Depakene

Question 11

Antidepressants (3 kinds)

Answer 11

3 kinds:

1. SSRIs (Lexapro, Paxil, Prozac, Zoloft)
2. Tricyclics (Vivactil, Pamelor)
3. Monoamine Oxidase Inhabitors (MAOIs)

Question 12

Antianxiety

Answer 12

Benzodiazepines

• primarily used for anxiety, but also effective in treating other conditions
• ex: ativan, valium, xanax
• high potential of abuse for these drugs, can be dangerous if combined with alcohol or illicit substances

Question 13

Stimulants

Answer 13

Used to treat ADHD

Adderall, concerta, ritalin