Sample Study Questions
for Prevention Specialist
Certification Exam
Denning [Date] [Course title]
,What is behavioral health? - Correct Answer: A state of mental/emotional being and/or choices and
actions that affect wellness
What is a risk factor? - Correct Answer: A characteristic at the biological, psychological, family,
community, or cultural level that precedes and is associated with a higher likelihood of problem
outcomes.
What is a protective factor? - Correct Answer: A characteristic at the biological, psychological, family,
community, or cultural level that precedes and is associated with a lower likelihood of problem
outcomes.
What is qualitative data? - Correct Answer: Quantitative data is 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.
What are five elements of culture? - Correct Answer: Elements of culture: norms, values, beliefs,
symbols, and practices
What is epidemiology? - Correct Answer: Epidemiology is the study of the distribution and determinants
of the health and wellness of populations. In the behavioral health prevention field, epidemiologists
study the patterns of use and abuse and the factors associated with an increased or decreased risk of
developing substance abuse problems.
What is sustainability? - Correct Answer: The ability or likelihood of a coalition, program or activity to
continue over a period of time.
What is program fidelity? - Correct Answer: Fidelity occurs when a program is implemented with the
same specifications as the original program.
What is confidentiality in the context of prevention? - Correct Answer: Keeping information given by or
about an individual in the course of a professional relationship secure and secret from others.
What is pharmacology? - Correct Answer: The science or study of drugs, including their composition,
uses and effects upon living organisms.
, What are the three key areas in which to build capacity? - Correct Answer: 1. Engage and build
relationships with stakeholders, 2. Strengthen collaborative groups, 3. Increase community awareness
What are five levels of involvement for stakeholder engagement? - Correct Answer: 1. No involvement,
2. Networking, 3. Cooperation, 4. Coordination, 5. Collaboration
What should a prevention specialist consider when selecting interventions? - Correct Answer: 1.
Effectiveness, 2. Conceptual fit, 3. Practical fit
What are the components of the Institute of Medicine's Continuum of Care? - Correct Answer:
Promotion; Prevention: Universal, Selective, Indicated; Treatment: Case Identification, Standard
Treatment; and Maintenance: Long-term treatment, After-care and Rehabilitation
What are Universal prevention interventions? - Correct Answer: Universal prevention interventions are
interventions that take the broadest approach and focus on the general public or any population that is
not identified based on risk.
What are Selective prevention interventions? - Correct Answer: Selective prevention interventions are
those that focus on individuals or subgroups whose risk of developing mental health disorders and/or
substance use disorders are significantly higher due to biological, psychological, and/or social risk
factors.
What are Indicated prevention interventions? - Correct Answer: Indicated prevention interventions
focus on higher risk individuals who are identified as having signs and/or symptoms or behaviors
foreshadowing a mental, emotional and/or substance use disorder.
What is an assessment? - Correct Answer: The systematic gathering and examination of data related to
substance abuse and associated problems, as well as related conditions and consequences in the
community. It identifies the problems; the populations that are most affected; and the conditions that
put the community at risk, and those that can protect against the problems identified.
What are evaluation methods? - Correct Answer: The manner in which evaluation information or data is
collected.
for Prevention Specialist
Certification Exam
Denning [Date] [Course title]
,What is behavioral health? - Correct Answer: A state of mental/emotional being and/or choices and
actions that affect wellness
What is a risk factor? - Correct Answer: A characteristic at the biological, psychological, family,
community, or cultural level that precedes and is associated with a higher likelihood of problem
outcomes.
What is a protective factor? - Correct Answer: A characteristic at the biological, psychological, family,
community, or cultural level that precedes and is associated with a lower likelihood of problem
outcomes.
What is qualitative data? - Correct Answer: Quantitative data is 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.
What are five elements of culture? - Correct Answer: Elements of culture: norms, values, beliefs,
symbols, and practices
What is epidemiology? - Correct Answer: Epidemiology is the study of the distribution and determinants
of the health and wellness of populations. In the behavioral health prevention field, epidemiologists
study the patterns of use and abuse and the factors associated with an increased or decreased risk of
developing substance abuse problems.
What is sustainability? - Correct Answer: The ability or likelihood of a coalition, program or activity to
continue over a period of time.
What is program fidelity? - Correct Answer: Fidelity occurs when a program is implemented with the
same specifications as the original program.
What is confidentiality in the context of prevention? - Correct Answer: Keeping information given by or
about an individual in the course of a professional relationship secure and secret from others.
What is pharmacology? - Correct Answer: The science or study of drugs, including their composition,
uses and effects upon living organisms.
, What are the three key areas in which to build capacity? - Correct Answer: 1. Engage and build
relationships with stakeholders, 2. Strengthen collaborative groups, 3. Increase community awareness
What are five levels of involvement for stakeholder engagement? - Correct Answer: 1. No involvement,
2. Networking, 3. Cooperation, 4. Coordination, 5. Collaboration
What should a prevention specialist consider when selecting interventions? - Correct Answer: 1.
Effectiveness, 2. Conceptual fit, 3. Practical fit
What are the components of the Institute of Medicine's Continuum of Care? - Correct Answer:
Promotion; Prevention: Universal, Selective, Indicated; Treatment: Case Identification, Standard
Treatment; and Maintenance: Long-term treatment, After-care and Rehabilitation
What are Universal prevention interventions? - Correct Answer: Universal prevention interventions are
interventions that take the broadest approach and focus on the general public or any population that is
not identified based on risk.
What are Selective prevention interventions? - Correct Answer: Selective prevention interventions are
those that focus on individuals or subgroups whose risk of developing mental health disorders and/or
substance use disorders are significantly higher due to biological, psychological, and/or social risk
factors.
What are Indicated prevention interventions? - Correct Answer: Indicated prevention interventions
focus on higher risk individuals who are identified as having signs and/or symptoms or behaviors
foreshadowing a mental, emotional and/or substance use disorder.
What is an assessment? - Correct Answer: The systematic gathering and examination of data related to
substance abuse and associated problems, as well as related conditions and consequences in the
community. It identifies the problems; the populations that are most affected; and the conditions that
put the community at risk, and those that can protect against the problems identified.
What are evaluation methods? - Correct Answer: The manner in which evaluation information or data is
collected.
