My CPLEE questions & terms UPDATED
ACTUAL Exam Questions and CORRECT
Answers
A patient directly communicates to his psychologist an imminent threat of violence against his
boss. The therapist opts to maintain the patient's confidentiality. The psychologist: - CORRECT
ANSWER - may be held Civilly liable.
Of the following, who can't be the holder of privilege?
1. The patient's therapist, when authorized by the patient.
2. The patient's legal guardian, when the patient does not want the guardian to hold privilege.
3. The patient's representative.
4. An unemancipated minor. - CORRECT ANSWER - The patient's therapist, when
authorized by the patient.
A therapist does not HOLD privilege. They can only invoke/assert if that is what the patient
wants
What does Evidence Code 1024 specifically authorize a mental health provider to do? -
CORRECT ANSWER - It authorizes the disclosure of privileged information in a legal
proceeding if the information is necessary to prevent the danger presented by the patient to
himself or herself, others, or property.
It is to prevent not only ANY danger, but to PREVENT the patient from danger to self, other, or
property
Which of the following is NOT an exception to privilege?
1. A lawyer initiates a hearing to determine a patient's competence to stand trial.
2. A patient requests a proceeding to determine his or her sanity.
3. The Board of Prisons appoints a psychologist to examine a patient.
, 4. The Court appoints a psychologist to evaluate a patient in order to provide a defense attorney
with information. - CORRECT ANSWER - 4. The Court appoints a psychologist to evaluate a
patient in order to provide a defense attorney with information.
This is an exception to privilege
The California Family Code (generally) stipulates that: - CORRECT ANSWER - a minor of
any age may consent to medical care related to pregnancy or sexual assault.
For medical care it is any age, consent to outpatient mental health is over 12 and mature enough
to participate
A father brings his six-year-old daughter to you for testing. The parents are divorced, and while
they share legal custody, the father has primary physical custody. You diagnose the child with
autism spectrum disorder. The girl's mother requests a copy of the testing report. You should: -
CORRECT ANSWER - offer her a summary of the report and send her a copy of the report if
she insists.
Typically it is better to send people a treatment summary as opposed to all the raw data, however
if the request specifically asks to include raw test data, you must send it all if they are legally
entitled to it
72 hour hold (5150; 5585) - CORRECT ANSWER - -person who due to mental disorder is a
danger to self, others, or is gravely disabled may be confined for 72hours
-danger to self-suicidal intent
-grave disability- inability to provide one's food, clothing, shelter
5150 (applies to adults)
5585 (applies to minors- although with minors you should not involuntarily confine them.
Should contact/involve parents and get their consent which would make it a voluntary hold.
,14 day Hold/Certification 5250 - CORRECT ANSWER - -person can be certified for 14 days
of intensive treatment if after 72hrs they remain danger to self, others, or gravely disabled
-person must be advised of need and seek voluntary treatment, but has refused
-entitled to certification review hearing within 4 days of the date of certification
Postcertification Hold
(following initial 14 day hold) - CORRECT ANSWER - 5260- upon expiration of 14 day hold
(5250), patient continues to present an imminent threat of SUICIDE, may be held for additional
14 days, but NOT RENEWABLE
5300- upon expiration of 14 day hold (5250), patient continues to present an imminent threat of
DANGER TO OTHERS, may be confined for additional 180 days. can be renewed
5270.15- upon expiration of 14 day hold (5250), patient continues to present as GRAVELY
DISABLED may be confined for 30 days. Cannot continue confinement after 30 days unless a
petition for conservatorship has been filled during the hold
Child abuse reporting - CORRECT ANSWER - -when psychologist learns about abuse in
professional capacity
-when there is reasonable suspicion of ANY child (not just your patient- should inform them
when explaining limits of confidentiality)
-Make report to police or county as soon as practically possible by phone
-Written report within 36 hours
- Failure to make a report- misdemeanor with 6 month in jail or $1000 fine, or both. IF death or
great injury could be up to a year in jail or $5000 fine, or both.
Types of child abuse - CORRECT ANSWER - -Physical abuse- bruises, marks, objects on
bare skin, closed fist
-Sexual abuse- assault, rape, stat rape, exploitation, etc
-Neglect-
, severe neglect- severe intentional malutrition and willful causing of endangerment
general neglect- negligent failure to provide adequate food, med care, clothing, shelter
-willful cruelty or unjustifiable punishment- (DV could be unjustifiable suffering, depending)
-Unlawful corporal punishment or injury
-emotional abuse
Lewd/lascivious contact - CORRECT ANSWER - includes any act with the intent of arousing,
appealing to, or gratifying lust, passions, or sexual desires of the perpetrator or the child
Reporting of Sex in minors - CORRECT ANSWER - -Under 14 with any older than 14yr
partner is mandated report if lewd/lascivious contact
-14 or 15 with 10yr older- report if lewd/lascivious contact
-Under 16 with 21 and older- report if sex, even if voluntary
-16 or over, with over 16- no report
-Under 18, if raped, incest, or sodomy is a mandated report
Elder and Dependent Adult Abuse Reporting - CORRECT ANSWER - Suspected incidents of
elder/dependent abuse must be reported to local law enforcement, county adult protective
services, local ombudsman, or state dept of state hospitals IMMEDIATELY or as soon as
practically possible by phone
-if adult lives at home- report to adult protective services or law enforcement. Written report in 2
days
-if in long term care facility- report to local ombudsman AND local law enforcement. Written
report w/in 2 hours if serious injury or 24hrs if no serious injury
-if in State Hospital- report to dept of state hospitals AND local law. Written report w/in 2 hours
You are working with a 15-year-old boy who tells you he plans to shoot some kids on the varsity
basketball team. What are your obligations? - CORRECT ANSWER - You should call the
police and school officials.
ACTUAL Exam Questions and CORRECT
Answers
A patient directly communicates to his psychologist an imminent threat of violence against his
boss. The therapist opts to maintain the patient's confidentiality. The psychologist: - CORRECT
ANSWER - may be held Civilly liable.
Of the following, who can't be the holder of privilege?
1. The patient's therapist, when authorized by the patient.
2. The patient's legal guardian, when the patient does not want the guardian to hold privilege.
3. The patient's representative.
4. An unemancipated minor. - CORRECT ANSWER - The patient's therapist, when
authorized by the patient.
A therapist does not HOLD privilege. They can only invoke/assert if that is what the patient
wants
What does Evidence Code 1024 specifically authorize a mental health provider to do? -
CORRECT ANSWER - It authorizes the disclosure of privileged information in a legal
proceeding if the information is necessary to prevent the danger presented by the patient to
himself or herself, others, or property.
It is to prevent not only ANY danger, but to PREVENT the patient from danger to self, other, or
property
Which of the following is NOT an exception to privilege?
1. A lawyer initiates a hearing to determine a patient's competence to stand trial.
2. A patient requests a proceeding to determine his or her sanity.
3. The Board of Prisons appoints a psychologist to examine a patient.
, 4. The Court appoints a psychologist to evaluate a patient in order to provide a defense attorney
with information. - CORRECT ANSWER - 4. The Court appoints a psychologist to evaluate a
patient in order to provide a defense attorney with information.
This is an exception to privilege
The California Family Code (generally) stipulates that: - CORRECT ANSWER - a minor of
any age may consent to medical care related to pregnancy or sexual assault.
For medical care it is any age, consent to outpatient mental health is over 12 and mature enough
to participate
A father brings his six-year-old daughter to you for testing. The parents are divorced, and while
they share legal custody, the father has primary physical custody. You diagnose the child with
autism spectrum disorder. The girl's mother requests a copy of the testing report. You should: -
CORRECT ANSWER - offer her a summary of the report and send her a copy of the report if
she insists.
Typically it is better to send people a treatment summary as opposed to all the raw data, however
if the request specifically asks to include raw test data, you must send it all if they are legally
entitled to it
72 hour hold (5150; 5585) - CORRECT ANSWER - -person who due to mental disorder is a
danger to self, others, or is gravely disabled may be confined for 72hours
-danger to self-suicidal intent
-grave disability- inability to provide one's food, clothing, shelter
5150 (applies to adults)
5585 (applies to minors- although with minors you should not involuntarily confine them.
Should contact/involve parents and get their consent which would make it a voluntary hold.
,14 day Hold/Certification 5250 - CORRECT ANSWER - -person can be certified for 14 days
of intensive treatment if after 72hrs they remain danger to self, others, or gravely disabled
-person must be advised of need and seek voluntary treatment, but has refused
-entitled to certification review hearing within 4 days of the date of certification
Postcertification Hold
(following initial 14 day hold) - CORRECT ANSWER - 5260- upon expiration of 14 day hold
(5250), patient continues to present an imminent threat of SUICIDE, may be held for additional
14 days, but NOT RENEWABLE
5300- upon expiration of 14 day hold (5250), patient continues to present an imminent threat of
DANGER TO OTHERS, may be confined for additional 180 days. can be renewed
5270.15- upon expiration of 14 day hold (5250), patient continues to present as GRAVELY
DISABLED may be confined for 30 days. Cannot continue confinement after 30 days unless a
petition for conservatorship has been filled during the hold
Child abuse reporting - CORRECT ANSWER - -when psychologist learns about abuse in
professional capacity
-when there is reasonable suspicion of ANY child (not just your patient- should inform them
when explaining limits of confidentiality)
-Make report to police or county as soon as practically possible by phone
-Written report within 36 hours
- Failure to make a report- misdemeanor with 6 month in jail or $1000 fine, or both. IF death or
great injury could be up to a year in jail or $5000 fine, or both.
Types of child abuse - CORRECT ANSWER - -Physical abuse- bruises, marks, objects on
bare skin, closed fist
-Sexual abuse- assault, rape, stat rape, exploitation, etc
-Neglect-
, severe neglect- severe intentional malutrition and willful causing of endangerment
general neglect- negligent failure to provide adequate food, med care, clothing, shelter
-willful cruelty or unjustifiable punishment- (DV could be unjustifiable suffering, depending)
-Unlawful corporal punishment or injury
-emotional abuse
Lewd/lascivious contact - CORRECT ANSWER - includes any act with the intent of arousing,
appealing to, or gratifying lust, passions, or sexual desires of the perpetrator or the child
Reporting of Sex in minors - CORRECT ANSWER - -Under 14 with any older than 14yr
partner is mandated report if lewd/lascivious contact
-14 or 15 with 10yr older- report if lewd/lascivious contact
-Under 16 with 21 and older- report if sex, even if voluntary
-16 or over, with over 16- no report
-Under 18, if raped, incest, or sodomy is a mandated report
Elder and Dependent Adult Abuse Reporting - CORRECT ANSWER - Suspected incidents of
elder/dependent abuse must be reported to local law enforcement, county adult protective
services, local ombudsman, or state dept of state hospitals IMMEDIATELY or as soon as
practically possible by phone
-if adult lives at home- report to adult protective services or law enforcement. Written report in 2
days
-if in long term care facility- report to local ombudsman AND local law enforcement. Written
report w/in 2 hours if serious injury or 24hrs if no serious injury
-if in State Hospital- report to dept of state hospitals AND local law. Written report w/in 2 hours
You are working with a 15-year-old boy who tells you he plans to shoot some kids on the varsity
basketball team. What are your obligations? - CORRECT ANSWER - You should call the
police and school officials.
