10 exam-style questions with answers and explanations, straight from our 1,030-question bank. Tap an answer to check yourself. When you're ready, take the scored version in the free practice test.
The CBHS exam has 100 questions and runs 2 hours.
These 10 free CBHS questions are organized by exam domain, so you can see how each part of the Certified Behavioral Health Specialist blueprint is tested. Reveal the answer and explanation under each question.
An adult's nine Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) item scores, in order, are 3, 2, 2, 3, 1, 2, 1, 3, and 0. The separate functional-difficulty response is 'extremely difficult.' Which summary correctly reports the score and its clinical meaning to the assessing clinician?
Correct answer: A - 17 points: moderately severe depressive symptoms that require clinical assessment.
During assessment for a depressive episode, a 27-year-old recalls five consecutive days last year of unusually elevated mood and energy. Throughout that period, they slept three hours without fatigue, talked much more than usual, and started several projects. Friends noticed the change, but there was no marked functional impairment or psychosis. The clinician has excluded substance and medical causes. How should the earlier period inform the assessment?
Correct answer: C - It suggests hypomania and warrants assessment for a bipolar-spectrum illness.
At an intake appointment, an adult who survived an assault agrees to a routine blood-pressure check. As the CBHS reaches toward the patient's arm, the patient recoils and says, 'Don't grab me.' There is no urgent medical concern. What would preserve the patient's control while allowing care to continue?
Correct answer: D - Pause, explain the touch involved, and ask what would make another attempt acceptable.
During an evening check at a recovery residence, a CBHS finds a resident unresponsive, with shallow breaths at 6 per minute. A coworker calls emergency services and brings the naloxone kit. The CBHS is trained and authorized to give naloxone and provide basic life support. What should happen while help is on the way?
Correct answer: A - Give naloxone, support breathing as trained, and keep reassessing until help arrives.
The CBHS is helping a patient who has vomited change a heavily soiled gown. Further vomiting and splashes toward the worker's face and clothing are anticipated. No airborne infection is suspected. In addition to hand hygiene, which protective equipment matches the expected exposure?
Correct answer: B - Gloves, a gown, a medical mask, and goggles or a face shield
Two days after a haloperidol dose increase, a patient repeatedly stands during meals and paces the hall. 'I'm not more worried; my body won't let me sit,' the patient says. Speech remains organized, sleep is unchanged, and no new hallucinations are reported. Which explanation best accounts for this change?
Correct answer: B - Akathisia following the recent increase in antipsychotic exposure
'Drinking helps me get through the evening, but I've missed two mornings with my daughter. I'm not ready to quit.' During a recovery visit, the CBHS wants to explore this ambivalence rather than argue for abstinence. Which reply is most consistent with motivational interviewing?
Correct answer: D - Drinking gives you relief, and you don't want to keep missing time with your daughter.
An adult with contamination-related obsessive-compulsive disorder has agreed with the therapist to touch an ordinary tabletop and wait 10 minutes before washing. Four minutes into the exercise, the patient is anxious but wants to finish and asks, 'Can you promise I won't catch anything?' The CBHS has been asked to reinforce the therapist's plan. Choose the response that supports exposure and response prevention.
Correct answer: A - It's hard to sit with uncertainty. Let's keep practicing the agreed delay.
An adult outpatient has told the clinic not to share information with his sister. She calls to report that he has stopped sleeping and has given away valued possessions, then asks whether he attended yesterday's visit. The CBHS answers the call. Which response protects privacy without losing clinically important information?
Correct answer: C - Listen without confirming attendance; promptly relay her concerns to the clinician.
A patient admitted involuntarily is scheduled for a nonemergency medication dose. The patient accurately explains the medication's purpose, benefits, risks, and alternatives, then refuses because of an adverse effect. There is no emergency or separate legal authorization for treatment over objection. A coworker says, 'The hold means consent is no longer needed.' The CBHS should respond:
Correct answer: D - The hold does not itself authorize forced medication; report the refusal to the nurse.
The full bank has 1,020 more CBHS questions with explanations.
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