ASWB Flashcards
Which of the following statements is an assumption of crisis theory?
A Anger is a useful dynamic if consciously used.
B Insight is a prerequisite for change.
C Ability to cope with stress can be learned over time.
D Internal conflict prevents change.
Answer: C
While options (A), (B), and (D) are correct for other theoretical approaches, option (key C) is the only assumption that is appropriate to crisis theory.
The juvenile facilities in a city are clearly substandard. As a first attempt to aid in correcting the problem, the social worker should:
A mobilize interest groups to explore and recommend alternatives
B file a lawsuit to force the city to upgrade the facilities
C organize the parents of the juveniles to demand change
D upgrade prevention programs to keep more youths out of jail
Answer: A
(Key A) is the correct answer in this situation since mobilizing interest groups would be the best starting point to begin assessing the facilities and establishing possible recommendations. (B), (C), and (D) might be done in the future, but these steps would be determined based on the outcome of the interest groups, which must be organized first.
In the process of referral, clients will MOST likely follow through to the new agency if:
A they have a clear understanding of what the new agency has to offer
B the option to follow through is left up to the clients
C they are informed of the consequences if they do not follow through with the referral
D they know that the agency is expecting them
Answer: A
This is an unscored question. One of the basic roles performed by social workers is that of brokering services, i.e., referring clients to appropriate community resources. However, client follow through to actually connecting with the referral agencies requires knowledge of the resources, which in turn requires agencies to be skilled in the interpretation of these resources to clients. If the social worker is unclear or vague about the services a referral agency offers option (key A), the client is much less likely to follow through. Communicating a clear picture of an agency’s services is prerequisite knowledge to strategies—options (B), (C), and (D)—that might encourage the client to request the services.
According to psychodynamic theory, when a client relates to the social worker as though the social worker is someone from the client’s distant past, the client is experiencing:
A transference
B projection
C conversion reaction
D introjection
Answer: A
This is a basic recall question regarding the definition of transference. Options (B), (C) and (D) are defense mechanisms.
In an initial interview a client appears suspicious of her surroundings and of the social worker. She says that she wants to reveal certain facts but feels that this would get friends in trouble. The appropriate response for the social worker is to:
A encourage the client to talk about these things since she can trust the social worker to maintain confidentiality
B tell the client that she understands how hard it is for her to feel safe in this new situation and that she should reveal information when she feels ready
C explain to the client how social workers maintain confidentiality and show her how the files are locked to ensure privacy
D involve the client in a discussion of a less threatening subject
Answer: B
Option (A) does not convey a message of acknowledgement of the client’s concerns and appears to pressure the client into doing something she is not prepared to do. Option (C) is not an appropriate response because a client would never be shown how the files were locked, and such behavior does not necessarily ensure trust in the social worker/client relationship. Option (D) avoids the underlying issue of the client’s concerns and seems to divert the client away from the client’s fears rather than addressing them. Therefore, (key B) is the correct answer.
When critiquing a research article in a professional journal, a social worker should minimally be able to:
A project the applicability of the findings to another group
B incorporate the results into policy planning at his or her own agency
C replicate the study in order to determine its reliability
D evaluate the appropriateness of the research design
Answer: D
This is an unscored question. Social work’s emphasis on evidence-based practice calls for social workers to use the best information available to inform practice decisions. It is the responsibility of each social worker to make a judgment about the quality of the research reported in the literature and its applicability to the clients being served. The most fundamental skill, then, is to evaluate the design of the research being reviewed (key D). Only if the design is sound would the social worker then be justified in applying the results to any specific client or client group (A). Certainly a social worker would not invest time and resources in a replication study (C) or use it as a basis for informing agency policy (B) unless there was confidence that the design of the original research is sound.
A competent college student has been waking very early, has lost interest in eating and socializing, and is not certain about her continued ability to handle her studies. These symptoms MOST likely indicate:
A depressive disorder
B anxiety disorder
C anorexia nervosa
D insomnia
Answer: A
It is the combination of these symptoms that make (key A) the correct response. Option (B) is incorrect because there are no symptoms indicating the likelihood of anxiety disorder, whose predominant feature is worry. Option (C) is incorrect because the decline in eating in anorexia stems not from a loss of interest but from a fear of gaining weight or becoming fat. Option (D) has only one representative symptom in the stem (waking early), which makes this answer incorrect.
A 45-year-old client has made frequent references to death and violence. The MOST accurate indicator of impending harm to self or others is:
A the client’s continuous catharsis of extreme hostility
B a history of violent behavior
C expression of a preferred method or plan
D excessive crying
Answer: C
The more specific a client’s plan for suicide or violent behavior, the greater the likelihood for carrying out the plan, making (key C) the correct answer. Catharsis of extreme hostility (A), history of violent behavior (B), and excessive crying (D) are behaviors that, if taken independently, do not automatically indicate the client will harm self or others.
When services are provided to a patient in the hospital, the social worker makes regular entries in the patient’s medical record PRIMARILY to:
A demonstrate to the administration that the social service department is providing adequate services
B protect the hospital should a legal suit arise
C facilitate communication among staff members regarding the care that is being provided to the patient
D provide documentation for accountability purposes
Answer: C
(Key C) is the correct answer. Documentation in the patient’s medical record is primarily to communicate information regarding the care of the patient, as the patient’s treatment relies on the social worker as the facilitator of the treatment team. Options (A), (B), and (D) are not the PRIMARY reason for documentation in the medical record.
The concept of secondary gain in the psychodynamic approach is MOST congruent with the social learning theory concept of:
A punishment
B extinction
C discrimination
D learning reinforcement
Answer: D
This is an unscored question. The concept of secondary gain from the psychodynamic approach refers to the benefit a person derives from an experience in connection with a physical or mental health problem (e.g., getting sympathy from friends and family) that reinforces the problem. In social learning theory, the concept of reinforcement is congruent with secondary gain (key D) because that concept, too, is concerned with actions that support continuing a specific behavior. The social learning concepts of punishment (A), extinction (B), and discrimination learning (C) are not congruent with secondary gain.
A pregnant 17yearold has been referred to a school social worker. The client is upset, confused, and uncertain about her options. After several appointments with the client, the social worker recognizes that her own values may be interfering with her relationship with the client. The social worker’s MOST appropriate action is to:
A discuss the value dilemma with her supervisor
B refer the client to another social worker
C refer the client to a family planning agency for services
D arrange a family therapy session to discuss the pregnancy
Answer: A
It is the social worker’s responsibility to identify how personal values may interfere with the therapeutic relationship, and to seek consultation around these issues (key A). Referring the client to another social worker (B) or a family planning agency (C) may be appropriate later, but the social worker must clarify the impact personal values are having on the situation. The need for a family therapy session (D) is not indicated.
Which of the following tasks is appropriate for a social worker utilizing a strategic approach to family therapy?
A Designing an intervention for each specific problem
B Limiting interventions to the immediate family
C Assuming a nondirective role with the family
D Completing an in-depth family history
Answer: A
This is an unscored question. The key to strategic family therapy is to design interventions to resolve specific issues, thus (key A) is the correct answer. Interventions may involve others beyond the immediate family, so option (B) is incorrect. The social worker may assume a somewhat directive role as the family seeks strategies to problem- solving, so option (C) is incorrect. Option (D), completing a family history, is not part of strategic family therapy as the history is not important in this approach.
Which statement BEST describes resistance in the beginning stages of treatment, according to psychosocial theory?
A The client anticipates criticism from the social worker following self-disclosure.
B The client minimizes problems and claims that the presenting problem has been resolved.
C The client misinterprets statements made by the social worker.
D The client is dependent on the social worker for advice in dealing with problems.
Answer: B
Psychosocial theory describes the various stages, life, tasks, and challenges that every person experiences throughout the life cycle. The correct answer (key B) best describes resistance. The other answers are often impediments to successful practice, but are not indicators of resistance.
A client has met weekly with a social worker for five weeks. The relationship with the social worker has been positive. During the sixth visit, the client becomes angry and challenging when the social worker makes a clarifying comment. The social worker’s BEST response to the client’s reaction is to explore:
A the client’s understanding of the social worker’s statement
B the client’s resistance to change
C limits for the client’s behavior
D the client’s use of defense mechanisms
Answer: A
This situation does not provide an example of a client’s resistance to change, making option (B) unacceptable. Exploring the limits of the client’s behavior does not address the communication issue in this scenario, (C). (Key A) is a better response than option (D), as it is possible that there was possibly a misunderstanding of the social worker’s statement and not necessarily a defense mechanism being used.
A husband has been committed to a psychiatric hospital as a result of violent rages and assaultive behaviors directed toward his wife. In speaking with the social worker, the husband blames his wife and threatens to harm her. Later he retracts his threat and asks the social worker not to mention it to anyone. The social worker should FIRST:
A notify the police
B document the threat and notify the treatment team
C request psychological testing to assess degree of danger
D explore the client’s ambivalence and develop a treatment plan
Answer: B
The item addresses the primary duty of a social worker to ensure the safety of the client and others. In view of the client’s recent history of violent behavior, the social worker should be concerned about the potential for harm. All of the options are actions the social worker might take in this situation; however because the client is still in hospital and the wife is not in immediate danger, the FIRST action to take is (key B), documentation of the threat and notification of the treatment team and the intended victim.
A social history with a 52-year-old female admitted following a suicide attempt reveals that she had been sexually abused for six months by a relative when she was 12. In completing the social history, the social worker should NEXT:
A take a complete sexual history
B obtain confirmation of this abuse from other family members
C determine how the abuse contributes to the client’s presenting problem
D acknowledge but give little weight to the information since it is not directly related to the immediate problem
Answer: C
(A) and (B) may be helpful to the ongoing therapy, but neither one would be the next step in this case. (D) is clearly the wrong answer because the social worker has no idea whether the sexual abuse is important until it is understood how it contributes to the presenting problem. Therefore, (key C) is what the social worker should do next since it is important to understand how the abuse may have contributed to this suicide attempt.
If a member of a therapy group breaches the confidentiality of another group member, the social worker should:
A have a joint interview with the two clients involved
B have an individual session with the client who has been betrayed
C terminate the client who breached confidentiality
D discuss the breach of confidentiality in the group
Answer: D
The breach of confidentiality is a group issue because all of the members of the group have agreed to maintain confidentiality of what is discussed in the group. As such, the breach of confidentiality should be discussed in the group. (Key D) is correct.
An elderly client is blind and confined to bed. Assistance with daily living skills by a neighbor has allowed the client to remain at home. However, the social worker is suspicious that the neighbor is taking the client’s money and providing less than adequate care. The client wishes to remain at home, continuing the arrangement with the neighbor. The home health staff is concerned that interference in the situation will damage rapport with the client. The social worker’s FIRST responsibility is to:
A discuss the situation with the agency’s lawyer
B report to adult protective services
C confront the neighbor about the suspicions
D work with the client to accept alternatives
Answer: B
Although all options are actions the social worker might take, the FIRST action is to report the situation to adult protective services (key B). This is based on the social worker’s suspicion that the client is being financially exploited.
An 18-year-old single mother has a 20-month-old child placed in foster care for six months because of neglect. The mother has followed her reunification plan, and the foster care plan is to return the child to the home. The foster care social worker learns two weeks before the hearing that the mother is several months pregnant. The worker’s BEST option is to request that the:
A mother regain legal and physical custody and close the case
B child remain in foster care until after the birth of the baby
C physical custody be returned to the mother and the family situation be monitored by the agency for six months
D court date be postponed until the baby is born
Answer: C
Preventing the mother from regaining custody (A), requesting that the child remain in foster care until after the baby is born (B) and requesting that the court date be postponed until the baby is born (D) would all be inappropriate and unethical as the mother has complied with the reunification plan. However, best practice would be to continue to monitor the family situation to determine whether the mother needs additional support (key C).
A 67-year-old who has recently retired seeks therapy with a social worker because of confusion, irritability, and inability to concentrate. The social worker should FIRST:
A refer the client for a comprehensive physical exam
B assign the client to a support group for recent retirees
C assure the client these symptoms are common following a major life change
D explore adequacy of plans made for retirement
Answer: A
(Key A) is the correct answer even though it may be important to accomplish all of the other options at some point. It is always important when working with any client to refer for a medical examination if there is any concern medically.
An adult client with no strong family ties is preparing for discharge from a psychiatric hospital. Which of the following social work activities will BEST contribute to the client’s successful reentry into the community?
A Helping the client locate appropriate housing
B Ensuring that the client has achieved maximum hospital benefit
C Helping the client to apply for financial assistance
D Collaborating with community agencies
Answer: D
Because the client has little support from the family, it will be important for the social worker to identify agencies which can be helpful following discharge. The broader the base of support, the better the chance is for a successful readjustment to the community.
The parents of children placed in foster care have made no progress after extended casework services in improving the behavior that resulted in the children being removed from their home. The child services agency staff has determined that procedures to terminate parental rights will begin in the next few months. The foster care worker’s NEXT step should be to:
A increase efforts with the parents to modify the parents’ behaviors
B begin to prepare the children for the transition of having parental rights terminated
C ensure that the physical and mental health histories of the children’s maternal and paternal families are available
D request that a legal guardian for the children be appointed
Answer: B
(Key B) is correct. Once a decision has been made to terminate parental rights, the next step for the foster care social worker should be to begin working with the children on how this decision will affect them. Option (A) is incorrect because the focus no longer is on addressing the parents’ behaviors. Option (C) is not necessary for terminating parental rights. Option (D) may occur at some point, but would not be the next step in this situation.
A social worker in a neonatal intensive care unit is approached by a hospital volunteer asking which infants may be available for adoption. The social worker’s BEST response is to:
A take the volunteer to view infants being placed for adoption
B refer the volunteer to a lawyer representing the parents seeking to place an infant
C introduce the volunteer to parents seeking to place an infant in an adoptive home
D decline to share such information with the volunteer
Answer: D
This is an unscored question. The social worker should not share this information with the hospital volunteer as this would be a violation of confidentially; therefore (key D) is the correct answer. Options (A), (B) and (C) would all be violations of confidentiality.
A social worker is consulting with the parents of a young adult who has been recently diagnosed as having bipolar disorder. The social worker should FIRST:
A obtain a family history of the client
B identify programs available for the client
C provide information about the disorder
D develop ways to maintain the client’s independence
Answer: C
This question requires the test-taker to know when to use education as part of the intervention process. Given that the child’s diagnosis is recent, it is important that the parents have a full understanding about the child’s disorder (key C). It should not be necessary to take a family history (A) since the child has already been diagnosed; identifying programs available to the client (B) and working on independence issues (D) may be appropriate at some point, but are not the FIRST actions the social worker should take.