Therapist Development Center Practice Exam 1

What is the MOST likely cause of a teenager's forgetfulness and falling down the stairs?

1. Peer conflict.

2. Sleep loss.

3. Typical adolescent behavior.

4. Marijuana abuse.

The correct answer is: Marijuana abuse.

The most probable cause of a teenager's forgetfulness and falling down the stairs relates to marijuana abuse. Research indicates that marijuana can significantly impair cognitive functions, including memory, attention, and motor coordination. This impairment can lead to forgetfulness and a lack of focus on physical tasks, which may explain the teenager's falling down the stairs. In terms of peer conflict, while it can affect a teenager's mental state, it typically does not lead to physical impairments like those caused by substance use. Likewise, typical adolescent behavior encompasses a range of developmental changes and experiences, but it generally does not manifest as forgetfulness or physical accidents to the extent described. Lastly, sleep loss can indeed impact cognitive and motor skills, but the direct correlation with marijuana use makes it a more likely candidate for the specific symptoms presented. Therefore, the cognitive and physical impairments associated with marijuana use provide a compelling explanation for the teenager's forgetfulness and resulting accidents.