CANS Exam 1: Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths
Original Practice Questions with Answers and Rationales
DOMAIN 1: CHILD RISK BEHAVIORS (Questions 1–20)
1. A 14-year-old boy is brought to the emergency room after taking
an overdose of aspirin today. Suicide Risk rating?
A) 0
B) 1
C) 2
D) 3
Answer D:
Rationale: A suicide attempt today requires immediate or intensive
action. Rating 3 applies when the need is dangerous or disabling. ---
,2. A 13-year-old has experimented with cutting in the past but has
not cut in 3 months. Self-Mutilation rating?
A) 0
B) 1
C) 2
D) 3
Answer B:
Rationale: A history of self-mutilation without current behavior
requires watchful waiting or preventive action. Rating 1 applies to
history or suspicion not currently interfering. ---
3. A 12-year-old’s parents are concerned he might be doing
dangerous activities with friends. He denies anything. Other Self
Harm rating?
A) 0
B) 1
C) 2
D) 3
Answer B:
,Rationale: Suspicion of dangerous behavior without confirmation
requires monitoring and watchful waiting. Rating 1 applies to
suspicion of need. ---
4. Bryan has been in several fights recently. Last week, he broke
another youth’s nose. Danger to Others rating?
A) 0
B) 1
C) 2
D) 3
Answer C:
Rationale: Physical aggression causing injury interferes with
functioning and requires action. Rating 2 applies when the need
interferes with functioning. ---
5. Darrell has never been sexually aggressive. Sexual Aggression
rating?
A) 0
B) 1
, C) 2
D) 3
Answer A:
Rationale: No evidence of the need. Rating 0 applies when there is
no evidence of any need. ---
6. Carmen was arrested for violating probation by running away
from a court-ordered treatment program 2 days ago. Runaway
rating?
A) 0
B) 1
C) 2
D) 3
Answer D:
Rationale: Running away from court-ordered treatment within the
past 30 days is dangerous and requires immediate action. Rating 3
applies. ---
Original Practice Questions with Answers and Rationales
DOMAIN 1: CHILD RISK BEHAVIORS (Questions 1–20)
1. A 14-year-old boy is brought to the emergency room after taking
an overdose of aspirin today. Suicide Risk rating?
A) 0
B) 1
C) 2
D) 3
Answer D:
Rationale: A suicide attempt today requires immediate or intensive
action. Rating 3 applies when the need is dangerous or disabling. ---
,2. A 13-year-old has experimented with cutting in the past but has
not cut in 3 months. Self-Mutilation rating?
A) 0
B) 1
C) 2
D) 3
Answer B:
Rationale: A history of self-mutilation without current behavior
requires watchful waiting or preventive action. Rating 1 applies to
history or suspicion not currently interfering. ---
3. A 12-year-old’s parents are concerned he might be doing
dangerous activities with friends. He denies anything. Other Self
Harm rating?
A) 0
B) 1
C) 2
D) 3
Answer B:
,Rationale: Suspicion of dangerous behavior without confirmation
requires monitoring and watchful waiting. Rating 1 applies to
suspicion of need. ---
4. Bryan has been in several fights recently. Last week, he broke
another youth’s nose. Danger to Others rating?
A) 0
B) 1
C) 2
D) 3
Answer C:
Rationale: Physical aggression causing injury interferes with
functioning and requires action. Rating 2 applies when the need
interferes with functioning. ---
5. Darrell has never been sexually aggressive. Sexual Aggression
rating?
A) 0
B) 1
, C) 2
D) 3
Answer A:
Rationale: No evidence of the need. Rating 0 applies when there is
no evidence of any need. ---
6. Carmen was arrested for violating probation by running away
from a court-ordered treatment program 2 days ago. Runaway
rating?
A) 0
B) 1
C) 2
D) 3
Answer D:
Rationale: Running away from court-ordered treatment within the
past 30 days is dangerous and requires immediate action. Rating 3
applies. ---
