DSST Health and Human Development Study Guide

DSST Health and Human Development Study Guide

This study guide for DSST Health and Human Development will provide prospective test takers with detailed information about the content they can expect to see on the exam. This DSST test is for those who would like to receive college credit for the Health and Human Development course without taking the full semester class. Students who reach the DSST test pass rates will receive approximately 3 credit hours toward their undergraduate degree from participating colleges and universities.

Test takers will have 2 hours to answer the 100 multiple-choice questions on the exam. The DSST Health and Human Development study guide will cover the following topics, which will be on the test.

Content Areas	% of Questions
Health, Wellness, and Mind/Body Connection	20% (≈ 20 questions)
Human Development and Relationships	15% (≈ 15 questions)
Addiction	15% (≈ 15 questions)
Fitness and Nutrition	20% (≈ 20 questions)
Risk Factors, Disease, and Disease Prevention	20% (≈ 20 questions)
Safety, Consumer Awareness, and Environmental Concerns	10% (≈ 10 questions)

Health, Wellness, and Mind/Body Connection

This section of the exam will cover a range of topics related to health and well-being practices and methods. Students will need to understand the different areas of life that affect the wellness of individuals and ways to prevent illness in any of these facets. The federal government has instituted a plan to improve the wellness of the people living in the United States. Test takers should be familiar with the agenda and what it entails.

Mental health is also covered in this content area. Test takers will need to understand what mental illness is and how it impacts overall wellness. There are various strategies and techniques that can be used to help individuals modify their behaviors and improve wellness that students will need to be familiar with. Test takers will also need to understand how stress affects health and wellness and the different methods available to help reduce stress and its impacts. Lastly, should understand organizations designed to improve health and help those who are sick.

Human Development and Relationships

Questions within this content area of the DSST Health and Human Development exam will focus on the developmental phases humans move through over the course of their lifetime and the types of relationships they may have along the way.

Reproduction

This area focuses on human reproduction. Students will need to know the anatomical structure and physical processes involved with reproduction. They will also need to understand how to maintain the health of these parts of the physical body. Pregnancy is also covered here, requiring test takers to showcase their understanding of the ways to prevent pregnancy, the development that happens during gestation, and complications that may arise prior to birth.

Sexuality

Within this content area, test takers will see questions designed to assess their knowledge of human sexuality. Students will need to be familiar with gender and how individuals choose to identify themselves. They will also need to understand sexual orientation and how it impacts a person's life. How the physical body responds to sexual stimuli will also be tested in this content area. Students will need to be familiar with the different stages and behavior associated with the physical response. Test takers should also be familiar with disorders that may affect human sexuality.

Relationships

Questions within this section will focus on the different types of relationships humans are likely to experience in the course of their lives. Students will need to be familiar with various romantic relationships and how they develop. Parenting will be covered here as well. Test takers should understand the roles and responsibilities that come with this role and how it will change over time. Lastly, the relationships that form in the workplace will be part of the exam. Students will need to understand the different types, how they form, and how they impact overall well-being and success.

Healthy Aging

This content area focuses on the process of aging that happens during the human lifespan. Students will need to understand the physical changes that will happen over time and the strategies individuals have for dealing with these shifts. Questions will likely ask students about the most common points of view about aging from a sociological perspective and society's attitudes toward the aging process. Students should also be familiar with methods that can be used to maintain well-being throughout the aging process.

Death and Bereavement

This last section deals with the end of life. Test takers will need to be familiar with the common responses one has when confronting mortality and how to deal with the stress and discomfort that may accompany this time. The steps individuals can take to prepare for death will also be covered in this area. Lastly, students should understand the stages of grief and how it can impact an individual's health and well-being.

Addiction

This content area of the DSST Health and Human Development exam will focus on addiction to substances, the physical impacts of these addictions, and other forms of dependence. Students will need to be familiar with the patterns of behavior associated with addiction and the physiological impacts associated with alcohol and tobacco use. How to identify addiction to these substances, the associated behaviors, the health impacts, and social repercussions will also be examined here. Test takers should also be familiar with programs, aids, and other supports available to help individuals end their alcohol and tobacco dependency.

Questions in this section will address other drug use and addiction. Students will need to be familiar with the different types of drugs people use and how they're categorized. They will also need to understand the programs available to help individuals struggling with addiction. Test takers will also need to understand other types of addictions people suffer from that aren't substance related.

Fitness and Nutrition

This part of the exam focuses on the ways physical activity and food impact overall health and wellness. Students should understand the different types of activities people can use to maintain wellness and how they contribute to one's overall health. Additionally, they should understand the effects physical activity has on the systems of the human body.

The fundamental principles of nutrition will be tested here. Students will need to know the different food groups, how to create an eating program for optimal wellness, and methods for maintaining a healthy weight. Questions may ask students about specific food designations, such as GMO foods, and their attributes. Test takers will also need to be familiar with types of dysfunctional eating patterns, their impacts on health, and available treatments.

Risk Factors, Disease, and Disease Prevention

This content area of the DSST Health and Human Development exam will cover a variety of diseases, their preventions, and available treatments. Students will need to be familiar with illnesses that infect the body through germs and how they can be prevented, including sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Diseases impacting the heart and associated systems will also be covered here. Test takers will need to understand the types of diseases that affect this system, the elements that increase the risk of these diseases, and how to prevent them. Questions may also ask students about conditions that are ongoing and ways they can be treated.

Cancer in its many forms will also be tested in this section. Students will need to be familiar with the different forms of cancer and how they are identified. Factors that increase the risk of cancer and strategies to reduce one's risk will also be tested here. Students should also understand various forms of cancer treatments. Other diseases and disorders test takers will need to understand for this part of the exam include the following:

• Immune disorders
• Arthritis
• Neurological disorders
• Diabetes
• Chronic disorders

Safety, Consumer Awareness, and Environmental Concerns

This final section of the exam will focus on other areas that may contribute to illness and disease. Students should be familiar with common accidents that can happen and strategies for preventing them. This includes safety equipment or practices designed to reduce harm in the event of an accident. Injuries done on purpose to oneself or others will be included here.

The options available for medical treatment and coverage will be part of this content area. Students will need to understand health insurance and how it works. How pharmaceutical drugs are classified and the process for determining whether a consumer needs a prescription to obtain them will be examined here. The laws and guidelines in place to protect people from possible harm or injury associated with products are something test takers should be familiar with as well.

Lastly, the exam will assess the student's knowledge of how one's environment can impact their health and wellness. Students should understand how overpopulation impacts health and wellness in various situations. The ways in which harmful substances are introduced into an environment and how it affects the life forms in that environment will be part of this section as well. Test takers will need to be familiar with organizations designed to monitor and maintain the well-being of different environments and ways to prepare for natural disasters.