MCM Pre-Internship Exam flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

DSM-5-TR impairment criterion

Most DSM-5-TR diagnoses require symptoms cause clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important functioning areas before the diagnosis applies.

Major depressive episode criteria

Five or more of nine symptoms for at least two weeks, including depressed mood or anhedonia, with no history of mania or hypomania.

Panic attack specifier

An abrupt surge of intense fear peaking within minutes with four or more of thirteen symptoms such as palpitations, sweating, trembling, or fear of dying.

Mental status exam components

Appearance, behavior, speech, mood, affect, thought process, thought content, perception, cognition, insight, and judgment are systematically assessed during the interview.

SMART treatment goals

Goals should be Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound, with each problem paired to a measurable objective.

Cognitive behavioral model

CBT holds that thoughts influence feelings and behaviors; interventions include cognitive restructuring, behavioral activation, and exposure to feared stimuli.

Motivational interviewing OARS

Core MI skills are Open questions, Affirmations, Reflections, and Summaries; resistance is rolled with rather than confronted directly.

DBT four modules

Dialectical behavior therapy teaches mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness to reduce self-harm and improve coping.

SSRI onset of effect

Therapeutic effects of SSRIs typically begin within two to four weeks, with full benefit often reached at six to eight weeks of treatment.

Serotonin syndrome triad

Mental status changes, autonomic instability, and neuromuscular hyperactivity such as clonus and hyperreflexia; risk rises with serotonergic drug combinations.

Lithium therapeutic range

Lithium has a narrow therapeutic index (roughly 0.6-1.2 mEq/L); monitor levels, renal and thyroid function, and toxicity signs like tremor and ataxia.

Bupropion contraindications

Bupropion lowers seizure threshold; it is contraindicated in seizure disorders and eating disorders and should be used cautiously with other risk factors.

Informed consent elements

Valid informed consent requires capacity, voluntariness, disclosure of material information, and comprehension; document the process and any limits.

Confidentiality limits

Exceptions include imminent danger to self or others, suspected abuse or neglect, court orders, and duty-to-warn or protect obligations where required by law.

Boundary crossing vs violation

A boundary crossing is a deviation from standard practice that may be harmless; a violation exploits or harms the client or serves the clinician's needs.

Tarasoff duty to protect

Duty-to-protect obligations vary by state but often include warning identifiable victims, notifying police, or taking other protective actions.

HIPAA minimum necessary

The Privacy Rule requires limiting disclosures to the minimum information needed for the purpose, except for treatment and certain authorized uses.

42 CFR Part 2

Federal regulations impose stricter confidentiality on substance use disorder treatment records than HIPAA and generally require specific consent for most disclosures.

Subpoena versus court order

A subpoena is a request for records or testimony; a court order is a legal directive. Consult counsel and assert privilege where appropriate.

Suicide risk factors

Prior attempts, access to lethal means, substance use, hopelessness, isolation, recent loss, and self-harm history elevate suicide risk assessment findings.

Safety planning components

A written safety plan lists warning signs, coping strategies, social contacts, professional resources, and steps to restrict access to lethal means.

Crisis de-escalation steps

Ensure safety, reduce stimulation, use a calm tone, validate emotion, offer choices, and avoid confrontation to lower arousal and risk.

Mandatory hold criteria

Involuntary hold criteria vary by state but generally require mental illness plus danger to self or others or grave disability.

Cultural formulation interview

Assesses cultural identity, cultural conceptualizations of distress, psychosocial stressors, clinician-client relationship features, and overall cultural assessment.

Idioms of distress

Culturally specific ways of expressing suffering, such as somatic complaints, that may not map cleanly onto DSM diagnostic criteria.

Language access standards

Use qualified interpreters rather than family members for clinical communication, and document interpreter use and preferences in the record.

Evidence hierarchy levels

Systematic reviews and meta-analyses rank highest, followed by randomized controlled trials, cohort studies, case-control studies, and expert opinion.

Sensitivity and specificity

Sensitivity is true positives divided by all with the condition; specificity is true negatives divided by all without the condition.

Cohen's d conventions

Standardized effect size guidelines: approximately 0.2 is small, 0.5 is medium, and 0.8 is large for group differences.

SOAP note format

A progress note format organized as Subjective, Objective, Assessment, and Plan, with each section specific and linked to treatment goals.

Record correction procedure

Draw a single line through errors, write 'error' and initials with the date, and never obliterate text or use correction fluid on records.

Supervision contract elements

A supervision agreement defines goals, roles, expectations, evaluation methods, and due process, protecting both client welfare and supervisee development.