The primary purpose of the assessment process is to?

• A. Determine service eligibility
• B. Identify funding sources
• C. Assign an appropriate DSM diagnosis
• D. Evaluate staff performance

Answer: (C)

Assessing a client primarily involves determining a diagnosis within a standardized framework so that a targeted treatment plan can be developed. Using a DSM diagnosis provides a common language for describing symptoms, guides prognosis, and helps match interventions to the condition. It also supports decisions about appropriate services and coverage since many programs and insurers rely on a formal diagnosis to authorize care. While service eligibility and funding considerations can be shaped by assessment results, they are not the central aim. Evaluating staff performance is not part of the client’s assessment and does not drive treatment planning.