NCMHCE Secrets Study Guide 2026-2027 [2nd Edition]
NCMHCE Secrets Study Guide 2026–2027 — Questions 1–30
I. Clinical Assessment & Diagnosis
1. A client reports persistent sadness for over two weeks, loss of interest in activities, and fatigue.
Which diagnosis is most consistent?
A) Generalized Anxiety Disorder
B) Major Depressive Disorder
C) Bipolar I Disorder
D) Adjustment Disorder
✔ Correct Answer: B — Major Depressive Disorder
Rationale: Persistent depressive symptoms for ≥2 weeks with functional impairment indicate MDD.
2. Which assessment method is best for evaluating cognitive functioning?
A) Mental status exam
B) Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS)
C) Beck Depression Inventory
D) MMPI
✔ Correct Answer: B — WAIS
Rationale: WAIS is a standardized instrument for assessing intelligence and cognitive ability.
3. A client exhibits excessive worry for six months, muscle tension, and restlessness. Most likely
diagnosis:
A) Panic Disorder
B) Generalized Anxiety Disorder
C) Social Anxiety Disorder
D) Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
✔ Correct Answer: B — Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Rationale: Chronic, excessive worry and physiological symptoms over six months indicate GAD.
4. Which tool assesses personality traits and psychopathology?
A) WAIS
B) MMPI-2
C) BDI
D) PHQ-9
✔ Correct Answer: B — MMPI-2
Rationale: MMPI-2 measures personality traits and psychological disorders.
, 5. In a mental status exam, tangential speech is:
A) Normal
B) Deviating from the main topic without returning
C) Rapid and pressured
D) Logical and goal-directed
✔ Correct Answer: B — Deviating from the main topic without returning
Rationale: Tangential speech indicates thought process disturbances.
6. Which DSM-5 diagnosis involves alternating manic and depressive episodes?
A) Major Depressive Disorder
B) Bipolar I Disorder
C) Cyclothymic Disorder
D) Generalized Anxiety Disorder
✔ Correct Answer: B — Bipolar I Disorder
Rationale: Bipolar I is characterized by full manic episodes and often depressive episodes.
7. Which symptom is characteristic of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)?
A) Hallucinations
B) Re-experiencing the trauma
C) Persistent low energy only
D) Rapid speech
✔ Correct Answer: B — Re-experiencing the trauma
Rationale: PTSD involves intrusive memories, flashbacks, and avoidance of trauma-related cues.
8. A client reports intense fear of social situations and avoids public speaking. Most likely
diagnosis:
A) Social Anxiety Disorder
B) Panic Disorder
C) Agoraphobia
D) Specific Phobia
✔ Correct Answer: A — Social Anxiety Disorder
Rationale: Fear of social interactions with avoidance indicates social anxiety disorder.
9. Which assessment measures risk for self-harm or suicide?
A) Suicide Risk Assessment Tool
B) Beck Depression Inventory
C) WAIS
D) MMPI
✔ Correct Answer: A — Suicide Risk Assessment Tool
Rationale: These tools evaluate suicidal ideation, intent, and plan.
NCMHCE Secrets Study Guide 2026–2027 — Questions 1–30
I. Clinical Assessment & Diagnosis
1. A client reports persistent sadness for over two weeks, loss of interest in activities, and fatigue.
Which diagnosis is most consistent?
A) Generalized Anxiety Disorder
B) Major Depressive Disorder
C) Bipolar I Disorder
D) Adjustment Disorder
✔ Correct Answer: B — Major Depressive Disorder
Rationale: Persistent depressive symptoms for ≥2 weeks with functional impairment indicate MDD.
2. Which assessment method is best for evaluating cognitive functioning?
A) Mental status exam
B) Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS)
C) Beck Depression Inventory
D) MMPI
✔ Correct Answer: B — WAIS
Rationale: WAIS is a standardized instrument for assessing intelligence and cognitive ability.
3. A client exhibits excessive worry for six months, muscle tension, and restlessness. Most likely
diagnosis:
A) Panic Disorder
B) Generalized Anxiety Disorder
C) Social Anxiety Disorder
D) Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
✔ Correct Answer: B — Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Rationale: Chronic, excessive worry and physiological symptoms over six months indicate GAD.
4. Which tool assesses personality traits and psychopathology?
A) WAIS
B) MMPI-2
C) BDI
D) PHQ-9
✔ Correct Answer: B — MMPI-2
Rationale: MMPI-2 measures personality traits and psychological disorders.
, 5. In a mental status exam, tangential speech is:
A) Normal
B) Deviating from the main topic without returning
C) Rapid and pressured
D) Logical and goal-directed
✔ Correct Answer: B — Deviating from the main topic without returning
Rationale: Tangential speech indicates thought process disturbances.
6. Which DSM-5 diagnosis involves alternating manic and depressive episodes?
A) Major Depressive Disorder
B) Bipolar I Disorder
C) Cyclothymic Disorder
D) Generalized Anxiety Disorder
✔ Correct Answer: B — Bipolar I Disorder
Rationale: Bipolar I is characterized by full manic episodes and often depressive episodes.
7. Which symptom is characteristic of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)?
A) Hallucinations
B) Re-experiencing the trauma
C) Persistent low energy only
D) Rapid speech
✔ Correct Answer: B — Re-experiencing the trauma
Rationale: PTSD involves intrusive memories, flashbacks, and avoidance of trauma-related cues.
8. A client reports intense fear of social situations and avoids public speaking. Most likely
diagnosis:
A) Social Anxiety Disorder
B) Panic Disorder
C) Agoraphobia
D) Specific Phobia
✔ Correct Answer: A — Social Anxiety Disorder
Rationale: Fear of social interactions with avoidance indicates social anxiety disorder.
9. Which assessment measures risk for self-harm or suicide?
A) Suicide Risk Assessment Tool
B) Beck Depression Inventory
C) WAIS
D) MMPI
✔ Correct Answer: A — Suicide Risk Assessment Tool
Rationale: These tools evaluate suicidal ideation, intent, and plan.
