This week, our free MFT exam practice question is going to focus on the topic of psychotic disorders. It’s quite possible you have not had any exposure or intentions to work with people who suffer from psychotic disorders. Yet, the BBS still wants to make sure that you are aware of the unique issues that arise with this population. Regardless of how much or how little you already know about this subject, the Therapist Development Center’s exam prep will ensure you know everything you need to correctly answer questions on this topic on the MFT exam.
How might this topic be tested?
Whether you are taking the California MFT Clinical Exam or the National MFT Exam, there are several ways in which psychotic disorders might be tested. Questions could test your ability to:
- Diagnose these disorders
- Differentiate them from each other
- Come up with an appropriate treatment plan
- Know common interventions
- Be familiar with various medications used to treat these disorders
- Be aware of proper referrals and coordination of care
Let’s see how you do on this week’s FREE MFT practice question.
Practice Question on Psychotic Disorders:
A therapist is working with a 43-year-old Caucasian male who has a diagnosis of schizoaffective disorder. The client regularly exhibits symptoms of disorganized thinking, delusions, depressed mood and hallucinations. The therapist belongs to a multidisciplinary team consisting of the staff psychiatrist, a social worker and a rehabilitation specialist. Together they aim to provide wraparound services to the client. Which of the following actions are important to carry out when developing a treatment plan for this client?
A. Identify client’s ability to regulate and follow through with a treatment plan
Delineate roles and responsibilities of each member of the multidisciplinary team
Set up a monthly meeting between all staff members involved
B. Identify client’s ability to regulate and follow through with a treatment plan
Delineate roles and responsibilities of each member of the multidisciplinary team
Discuss methods of communication between team members to avoid triggering client’s paranoia
C. Clearly identify an overall treatment objective for this client
Delineate roles and responsibilities of each member of the multidisciplinary team
Discuss how various duties will be carried out
D.Clearly identify an overall treatment objective for this client
Delineate roles and responsibilities of each member of the multidisciplinary team
Set up a monthly meeting between all staff members involved
Please see the correct answer and rationale below.
The correct answer is C.
- Both answers A and B begin with identifying client’s ability to regulate and follow through with a treatment plan. While that step is important, it is not going to be at the top of the priority list. We would first want to clearly identify treatment goals for this client and solidify our understanding of how the team will work together. Thus, we would quickly eliminate both answers A and B.
- In addition, the third part of answer B is concerned with triggering client’s paranoia, and the stem does not indicate that the client has any symptoms of paranoia.
- Once we narrow it down to C and D, we can see that both of those answers are identical. The only thing that is different is the third line in each answer.
- If we were to put these answers in order and identify the first thing we would do, it becomes clear that we would first discuss how various duties will be carried out and then set up a monthly meeting. Thus, answer D is out and we are left with answer C.
To learn all about the intricacies of psychotic disorders, sign up for one of TDC’s MFT exam study guides to help you prepare for your exam today! Amanda Rowan has helped thousands of Marriage and Family Therapists pass their MFT exams-are you our next success story?
Comments
I got this one wrong. I chose B. But I thought of C first and changed my mind because I focused on his psychotic disorder and assumed there was more there when it wasn't. This one seemed to be more about the treatment team and the client's coordination of care.
I picked " A " because I did not like how C and D said "Clearly identify an overall treatment objective for this client". Wouldn't we do it WITH the client, to the best extent that we can? Just because they have schizophrenia does not mean they can not participate in the treatment planning process. I saw The "Identify client’s ability to regulate and follow through with a treatment plan" as a type of pre txplan assessment, where you ask you self "how involved are they able to be in this txplanning process?" and also that statement should be part of the assessment anyway which should come before the treatment plan. BUT I work with folks with serious mental illness every day so.....maybe I am too picky and overthinking of things? Either way I would be interested in more rational for this answer.
So for this question I chose D because I did have difficulty between C and D and as you said I compared the last sentence. I felt that on C the last two sentences were redundant because if you delineate roles and responsibilities then you would not have to discuss how they would be carried out. To me it seemed that was part of the responsibilities. Can you explain. Thanks