Prevention Specialist Certification Exam Sample Questions

Question 1

Qualitative data is often collected through key informant interviews, focus groups, listening sessions, and:

A) Community meetings
B) Newspaper articles
C) Arrest reports
D) Hospital records

Answer 1

A) Community meetings

Question 2

A program that has been researched and found to be effective is known as:

A) Universal
B) Evidence-based
C) Promising
D) Excellent

Answer 2

B) Evidence-based

Question 3

An example of an indicated prevention strategy is:

A) Student Assistance Program (SAP)
B) Media Campaign
C) School Assemblies
D) Social Norm Program

Answer 3

A) Student Assistance Program

Question 4

Mobilizing community members to participate in a community prevention effort is an example of:

A) Community readiness
B) Problem prioritization
C) Coalition building
D) Community needs assessment

Answer 4

C) Coalition building

Question 5

You are planning to use a proven, evidence-based program, but realize it is not feasible to implement all of the program components. You should:

A) Not proceed at all with your choice
B) Consult with the program’s developers to determine potential impact
C) Go ahead, as most programs can be modified to meet local circumstances
D) Add additional alternatives to fill out the missing components

Answer 5

B) consult with the program’s developers to determine potential impact

Question 6

A prevention program that has been designated as a best practice means:

A) It has been adapted by many prevention programs throughout the country
B) It reflects the specific cultural needs of the community
C) It needs to involve a skilled, experienced program director
D) It has been shown through research and evaluation to be effective

Answer 6

D) It has been shown through research and evaluation to be effective

Question 7

Which of the following is an example of quantitative data?

A) Interviews with service providers
B) A review of archival data
C) A survey of prevention program directors/staff
D) A review of program documents

Answer 7

C) A survey of prevention program directors/staff

Quantitative data provide information about quantities; that is, information that can be measured and written down with numbers. Sources of quantitative data include counting, checklists, surveys, and analysis of statistics.

Question 8

A prevention strategy aimed at informing broad segments of society is called a:

A) Universal intervention
B) Selective intervention
C) Indicated intervention
D) Risk and protective approach

Answer 8

A) Universal intervention

Question 9

Information collected from interviews, focus groups, and/or observations involving document reviews to produce a descriptive report is called:

A) Indicator data
B) Qualitative data
C) Outcome data
D) Quantitative data

Answer 9

B) Qualitative data

Question 10

An objective statement:

A) Is time-bound, specific, and measurable
B) Identifies specific individuals and their responsibilities
C) Is general and inclusive
D) Compares planned to achieved tasks

Answer 10

A) Is time-bound, specific, and measurable

Question 11

Key informants are people who:

A) Represent official positions of power in a community
B) Are engaged by program evaluations to monitor program implementation
C) Go undercover to provide school officials with tips on drug traffic
D) Are essential information sources in needs assessments

Answer 11

D) Are essential information sources in needs and assessments

Question 12

What question should be asked at the HIGHEST level of prevention evaluation?

A) Did community-wide behaviors change?
B) Did intended participants attend regularly?
C) Did program participants’ behavior change?
D) Did participant’s attitudes change or did self-esteem improve?

Answer 12

A) Did community-wide behaviors change?

Question 13

After you’ve collected all data for your needs assessment, the best next step would be to:

A) Analyze the data
B) Prepare a report
C) Determine stakeholders’ needs
D) Draft recommendations

Answer 13

A) Analyze the data

Question 14

Archival data is:

A) Information from a large number of individuals
B) Information contained in public records
C) Hard to find
D) Collected from surveys

Answer 14

B) Information contained in public records

Question 15

A process evaluation:

A) Is done at the completion of the program
B) Is done throughout the delivery of program services
C) Involves random assignment of participants
D) Involves the collection of participant information after they leave the program

Answer 15

B) Is done throughout the delivery of program services

Question 16

Key Informant Interviews as a method of data collection:

A) Eliminate the possibility of bias in collection information
B) Can be done by anyone
C) Provide in-depth information about community needs
D) Do not take much time

Answer 16

C) Provide in-depth information about community needs

Question 17

The best reason to use a pre-post survey method is that it:

A) Tells you whether the individual has changed their behavior, attitude, knowledge, or belief
B) Provides an opportunity for the program participant to criticize the program
C) Is less expensive and more effective than any other evaluation method
D) Can give you information about the program that other data collection methods can’t provide

Answer 17

A) Tells you whether the individual has changed their behavior, attitude, knowledge, or belief

Question 18

An example of a selective intervention is:

A) A classroom-based prevention program for all seventh graders in a school district in a high risk community
B) A skills-based program for youth from military families who have experienced many transitions
C) A parenting program which is open to all residents in a rural town hosted by a local church
D) A media campaign targeting Latino youth in a big city

Answer 18

B) A skills-based program for youth from military families who have experienced many transitions

Question 19

Which of the following is an example of a risk factor for behavioral health problems in youth?

A) Ability to obtain positive attention
B) Desire to achieve
C) Inadequate supervision
D) Adequate income

Answer 19

C) Inadequate supervision

Question 20

An example of an information dissemination approach would be:

A) Talking to a student about the dangers of illegal drugs
B) Mass media campaign on methamphetamine addiction
C) Server intervention training workshops
D) Student Assistance Programs

Answer 20

B) Mass media campaign on methamphetamine addiction

Question 21

The conditions that build resilience to buffer negative effects such as substance abuse among parents, low-commitment to school, or drug abusing environment are called:

A) Support factors
B) Universal factors
C) Resilient factors
D) Protective factors

Answer 21

D) Protective factors

Question 22

An example of an evidence-based environmental approach to substance abuse prevention is:

A) School-based curriculum highlighting community risks
B) Server intervention training
C) Program serving student drop-outs
D) Community health fairs

Answer 22

B) Server intervention training

Question 23

A way the media can be used to educate and inform is through:

A) Parenting skills classes
B) After school programming
C) PTA meetings
D) Opinion editorials

Answer 23

D) Opinion editorials

Question 24

The attitude and habit that MOST increases cultural sensitivity is:

A) Leading
B) Demonstrating sympathy
C) Displaying concern
D) Working alongside

Answer 24

D) Working alongside

Question 25

As a facilitator in a community planning process, how would you get community buy in?

A) Ensure food is provided at the planning meeting
B) Get an announcement placed in the local newspaper
C) Involve community members in the planning process
D) Present the completed program plan to community members

Answer 25

C) Involve community members in the planning process

Question 26

In order to increase diverse community involvement in a coalition, you should:

A) Present at events throughout the community
B) Distribute flyers in the languages of community residents
C) Use public events (e.g., fairs) to publicize your needs
D) Go directly to the focus community and recruit potential members

Answer 26

D) Go directly to the focus community and recruit potential members

Question 27

Prevention specialists who are facilitating community prevention coalitions must tailor their facilitation style to the group’s blend of bylaws, ground rules, people, and:

A) Consultants
B) Funding
C) History
D) Strategies

Answer 27

C) History

Question 28

When facilitating a community coalition or planning group, a prevention specialist should avoid:

A) Listening and observing
B) Managing conflict
C) Encouraging participation
D) Inserting personal opinions

Answer 28

D) Inserting personal opinions

Question 29

Which of the following is categorized as a depressant drug?

A) Alcohol
B) Oxycodone
C) Marijuana
D) Methamphetamine

Answer 29

A) Alcohol

Question 30

Materials that are not copyrighted are considered to be:

A) Tangible
B) Minimally creative
C) Original
D) Public domain

Answer 30

D) Public domain

Question 31

What is a social marketing campaign?

A) An environmental prevention technique that directs behavior through word of mouth
B) A type of prevention strategy that allows for the selection of the best way to reduce use in a community by popular vote
C) The application of commercial marketing technologies to prevention programs in order to improve personal welfare and that of society
D) An environmental prevention program that targets events and gatherings as the places to deliver its message

Answer 31

C) The application of commercial marketing technologies to prevention programs in order to improve personal welfare and that of society

Question 32

Prevention professionals must determine what factors helped explain why people begin to engage in problem behaviors. At the most basic level these factors are:

A) Schools and communities
B) Family and peers
C) Individuals and family
D) Risk and protective

Answer 32

D) Risk and protective

Question 33

Media campaigns in prevention are most typically intended to:

A) Educate the public
B) Encourage legislation supporting prevention
C) Recruit volunteers
D) Change people’s behavior

Answer 33

A) Educate the public

Question 34

The Institute of Medicine (IOM) continuum of care defines three types of prevention approaches. One IOM approach is:

A) Indicated
B) Children of Substance Abusing Parents
C) High-Risk Behaviors
D) Substance Use Disorders

Answer 34

A) Indicated

Question 35

The primary purpose of creating a logic model is to:

A) Identify evaluation tools
B) Enhance community involvement
C) Determine appropriate staffing patterns
D) Connect goals, strategies, and outcomes

Answer 35

D) Connect goals, strategies, and outcomes

Question 36

If your community coalition lacks participation from a specific focus community, you should:

A) Go to those groups that have volunteered to serve in your coalition
B) Attend an event sponsored by the focus community
C) Wait until the coalition has completed its work
D) Have coalition members go to that community and ask them to participate

Answer 36

D) Have coalition members go to that community and ask them to participate

Question 37

A goal statement:

A) Provides general purpose, direction, and desired outcomes
B) Specifies what and when something is to be accomplished
C) Identifies who will do what tasks
D) Is the same as a mission statement

Answer 37

A) Provides general purpose, direction, and desired outcomes

Question 38

There was an underage drinking problem in the community. Enforcement of minimum-purchase-age laws against selling alcohol and tobacco to minors through the use of undercover buying operations was utilized to address the underage drinking problem. What type of prevention strategy was used?

A) Alternatives to drug use
B) Dissemination of information
C) Prevention education
D) Environmental approach

Answer 38

D) Environmental approach

Question 39

Focus groups are used to bring together people:

A) With common characteristics for implementing programs
B) From diverse backgrounds to discuss a wide variety of topics
C) To evaluate types of proposed program materials
D) With common perspectives that relate to a specific topic

Answer 39

D) With common perspectives that relate to a specific topic

Question 40

A person who has been designated by group members to be caretaker of the meeting process is known as the:

A) President
B) Board leader
C) Facilitator
D) Advocate

Answer 40

C) Facilitator

Question 41

The first step in developing a comprehensive community prevention plan is:

A) Assessment of readiness
B) Capacity building
C) Planning
D) Implementation

Answer 41

A) Assessment of readiness

Question 42

Before working in a community to implement prevention programming, what is an important first step?

A) Learning as much information about the community as possible
B) Evaluating the community’s current programming efforts
C) Informing community members of the best strategies to help them
D) Selecting the type of program you want to implement

Answer 42

A) Learning as much information about the community as possible

Question 43

When is it appropriate to engage community members in the program evaluation process?

A) During the evaluation design portion, but not the data collection portion
B) For the data collection purposes only, because they can use their connections in the community
C) All the way through
D) Not at all, since their presence may bias evaluation results

Answer 43

C) All the way through

Question 44

Information overload is a barrier to effective listening because:

A) The receiver gets too much content at one time
B) The audience member does not have a chance to respond
C) The receiver is forced to hear the speaker talk for too long
D) The audience member is unable to talk to their peers about what they are learning

Answer 44

A) The receiver gets too much content at one time

Question 45

What defines a facilitator’s role?

A) Someone who sets up a meeting site, including deciding the place and time
B) Someone who oversees the meeting process
C) Someone who writes minutes from a meeting and distributes them to all members
D) Someone who ensures that a follow-up meeting date is set by the end of the meeting

Answer 45

B) Someone who oversees the meeting process

Question 46

What would best describe a community in denial about a substance abuse problem?

A) The community might recognize substance abuse as a problem in general, but does not acknowledge that it is a problem for them specifically.
B) The community has no awareness that substance abuse is a problem.
C) The community has no leadership to do anything about the problem
D) The community might acknowledge substance abuse exists in their community but does not see it as a problem.

Answer 46

A) The community might recognize substance abuse as a problem in general, but does not acknowledge that it is a problem for them specifically.

Question 47

A community coalition is advocating for an ordinance to ban the sale of alcohol at the annual fall family festival. This is an example of:

A) An alternative activity strategy
B) A family intervention strategy
C) An environmental strategy
D) An enforcement strategy

Answer 47

C) An environmental strategy

Question 48

Data collection efforts to determine a community’s norms can be conducted using which of the following?

A) Informal discussions after meeting
B) Journals from health classes
C) Focus groups
D) Attendance at an event

Answer 48

C) Focus groups

Question 49

What is social norms marketing?

A) The theory that marketing is a normal way of conveying information.
B) How people look to the media for understanding about their peers
C) Conveying the idea that most people practice healthy behaviors
D) Showing how abnormal sobriety is on college campuses

Answer 49

C) Conveying the idea that most people practice healthy behaviors

Question 50

A prevention specialist provides life skills classes at a local school. They are asked by the principal to lead group therapy sessions for children of alcoholics while the guidance counselor is on leave. The prevention specialist should:

A) Respectfully refuse
B) Accept the challenge
C) Volunteer to co-facilitate
D) Accept but provide life skills classes instead of therapy

Answer 50

A) Respectfully refuse

Question 51

Strategies that aim to enhance individuals’ ability to develop competence, a positive sense of self-esteem, mastery, well-being, social inclusion, and strengthen their ability to cope with adversity are:

A) Mental health promotion interventions
B) Universal preventive interventions
C) Selective preventive interventions
D) Indicated preventive interventions

Answer 51

A) Mental health promotion interventions

Question 52

What is the most basic guiding ethical principle in prevention work?

A) Never encourage substance use
B) Take every opportunity to spread the prevention message
C) Do no harm
D) Lead by example

Answer 52

C) Do no harm

Question 53

In prevention work, when a prevention specialist’s personal opinions differ from a coalition member’s on a relevant issue, what is the best way to approach the topic?

A) Use the position of authority to attempt to influence the member
B) Acknowledge internally the difference between personal viewpoints and professional and uphold professionalism at all times
C) Tell the member you can no longer work with them
D) Find a compromise between the two positions

Answer 53

B) Acknowledge internally the difference between personal viewpoints and professional and uphold professionalism at all times

Question 54

Treating every community in which you provide services the same, regardless of their culture, is an example of:

A) Cultural competence
B) Cultural humility
C) Cultural blindness
D) Cultural sensitivity

Answer 54

C) Cultural blindness