NPE PRACTICE EXAM QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
A psychologist working in a community mental health clinic has been asked to manage
the caseload of a colleague who is on leave. When reviewing a client's file the
psychologist notices that there is variability in the amount of documentation for each
session. For example, some progress notes are detailed and others have only the date
and time the client attended an appointment. What is the most important reason for
maintaining adequate progress notes of a client's treatment? - Answers :To be able to
monitor a client's progress in treatment over time
A psychologist has been seeing a client for a driving phobia following a traffic accident
where he was the driver. During the course of therapy the client discloses that he was a
victim of bullying in the workplace and that he has submitted a Workcover claim. The
psychologist receives a valid subpoena to provide all the records for this client. The
subpoena was initiated by legal representatives of the alleged perpetrator of the
bullying.
What is the most appropriate course of action for the treating psychologist? - Answers
:The psychologist should not act on this information or disclose it to anyone
A psychologist working as an employee assistance program provider for a large
employer has been seeing a 23-year-old Aboriginal woman who has reported
experiencing harassment from her work unit supervisor. The woman's supervisor
contacts the psychologist requesting a meeting to discuss important information.
In this situation what is the most important initial thing to do? - Answers :Inform the
client of the request and seek her consent for the meeting
A psychologist works in a multidisciplinary practice where all practitioners frequently
refer clients to each other. One of the practitioners tells the psychologist that she is
having increasing problems which are impacting on her work performance. She asks if
the psychologist would take her on as a client.
What is the psychologist's most appropriate response to this request? - Answers
:Advise the practitioner of the contact details of other local psychologists
A distressed 16-year-old youth is referred to a psychologist by his general practitioner
(GP). The young man is concerned that he has a serious physical illness that has not
yet been identified, despite extensive medical testing. The psychologist decides to
conduct a Mental State Examination to assist with developing an initial formulation of
the client's presenting problem.
What is the main type of information gathered in a Mental State Examination? -
Answers :Behavioural observations of the client's presentation
, A 43-year-old man is referred to a psychologist working for a local workers'
compensation authority. The psychologist has been asked to conduct a vocational
assessment to determine recommendations for retraining. The psychologist administers
the WAIS and discovers that the VCI score is 25 points lower than the PRI.
What is the most appropriate response to the subpoena? - Answers :Release all
information that is requested as there is no professional privilege in this situation
A psychologist has been receiving supervision from a senior and highly-experienced
colleague. The psychologist attends a supervisory session and discovers that, for the
third successive session, the supervisor is intoxicated. The psychologist raises
concerns with the supervisor about his alcohol use, but he denies that there is any
problem.
What is the best way for the psychologist to proceed? - Answers :Contact the Board to
report the psychologist as an impaired practitioner
A psychologist delivering employee assistance programs is treating an accountant for
work-related stress. Over the course of therapy, the client informs the psychologist that
he is aware that another psychologist from the same practice is under investigation for
inappropriate financial dealings. This information is not public knowledge.
What is the most appropriate interpretation of this difference in scores? - Answers :The
client's visuospatial skills are better developed than his verbal skills
A general practitioner (GP) refers an 84-year-old man to a psychologist for assessment.
He attends the first appointment with his wife. The man's wife reports changes in his
behaviour over the last year including pacing the house at night, irritability, and
misplacing objects. He has also become concerned that the neighbours have been
spying on him.
What is the most likely diagnosis? - Answers :A form of dementia
A psychologist has been asked by the owner of a local meat-processing plant to help
reduce the number of injuries that have been occurring. The owner reports that the plant
is struggling to meet customer orders and that absenteeism rates have been increasing.
Interviews with worker-based focus groups reveal that turnover is high and workers
perceive that management is not concerned with their well-being.
Which of the following tests would best assist in a general survey of employee well-
being? - Answers :Depression Anxiety and Stress Scales
A psychologist working in a community mental health clinic has been asked to manage
the caseload of a colleague who is on leave. When reviewing a client's file the
psychologist notices that there is variability in the amount of documentation for each
session. For example, some progress notes are detailed and others have only the date
and time the client attended an appointment. What is the most important reason for
maintaining adequate progress notes of a client's treatment? - Answers :To be able to
monitor a client's progress in treatment over time
A psychologist has been seeing a client for a driving phobia following a traffic accident
where he was the driver. During the course of therapy the client discloses that he was a
victim of bullying in the workplace and that he has submitted a Workcover claim. The
psychologist receives a valid subpoena to provide all the records for this client. The
subpoena was initiated by legal representatives of the alleged perpetrator of the
bullying.
What is the most appropriate course of action for the treating psychologist? - Answers
:The psychologist should not act on this information or disclose it to anyone
A psychologist working as an employee assistance program provider for a large
employer has been seeing a 23-year-old Aboriginal woman who has reported
experiencing harassment from her work unit supervisor. The woman's supervisor
contacts the psychologist requesting a meeting to discuss important information.
In this situation what is the most important initial thing to do? - Answers :Inform the
client of the request and seek her consent for the meeting
A psychologist works in a multidisciplinary practice where all practitioners frequently
refer clients to each other. One of the practitioners tells the psychologist that she is
having increasing problems which are impacting on her work performance. She asks if
the psychologist would take her on as a client.
What is the psychologist's most appropriate response to this request? - Answers
:Advise the practitioner of the contact details of other local psychologists
A distressed 16-year-old youth is referred to a psychologist by his general practitioner
(GP). The young man is concerned that he has a serious physical illness that has not
yet been identified, despite extensive medical testing. The psychologist decides to
conduct a Mental State Examination to assist with developing an initial formulation of
the client's presenting problem.
What is the main type of information gathered in a Mental State Examination? -
Answers :Behavioural observations of the client's presentation
, A 43-year-old man is referred to a psychologist working for a local workers'
compensation authority. The psychologist has been asked to conduct a vocational
assessment to determine recommendations for retraining. The psychologist administers
the WAIS and discovers that the VCI score is 25 points lower than the PRI.
What is the most appropriate response to the subpoena? - Answers :Release all
information that is requested as there is no professional privilege in this situation
A psychologist has been receiving supervision from a senior and highly-experienced
colleague. The psychologist attends a supervisory session and discovers that, for the
third successive session, the supervisor is intoxicated. The psychologist raises
concerns with the supervisor about his alcohol use, but he denies that there is any
problem.
What is the best way for the psychologist to proceed? - Answers :Contact the Board to
report the psychologist as an impaired practitioner
A psychologist delivering employee assistance programs is treating an accountant for
work-related stress. Over the course of therapy, the client informs the psychologist that
he is aware that another psychologist from the same practice is under investigation for
inappropriate financial dealings. This information is not public knowledge.
What is the most appropriate interpretation of this difference in scores? - Answers :The
client's visuospatial skills are better developed than his verbal skills
A general practitioner (GP) refers an 84-year-old man to a psychologist for assessment.
He attends the first appointment with his wife. The man's wife reports changes in his
behaviour over the last year including pacing the house at night, irritability, and
misplacing objects. He has also become concerned that the neighbours have been
spying on him.
What is the most likely diagnosis? - Answers :A form of dementia
A psychologist has been asked by the owner of a local meat-processing plant to help
reduce the number of injuries that have been occurring. The owner reports that the plant
is struggling to meet customer orders and that absenteeism rates have been increasing.
Interviews with worker-based focus groups reveal that turnover is high and workers
perceive that management is not concerned with their well-being.
Which of the following tests would best assist in a general survey of employee well-
being? - Answers :Depression Anxiety and Stress Scales
