Final Mock exam 1 Flashcards
A 10-year-old boy is placed with a foster family that has different religious beliefs than the child. The foster parents want the foster child to follow their religious practices. What is the social worker’s BEST course of action in this situation?
A. Tell the family to follow the child’s religion.
B. Instruct the child to follow the family’s religion.
C. Tell the child not to practice any religion to avoid conflict.
D. Identify alternate placement for the child.
D. Identify alternate placement for the child.
A family comes in with high expectations of their 10-year-old child. The child excels in school and the teacher states that he has never had an infraction although he appears to be unhappy and has a hard time socially. The parents are likely using what kind of parenting style?
A. Authoritarian: Strict, controlling, exert control through power.
B. Authoritative: Set and enforce rules with consistency and in a healthy way (so, authoritative is better than authoritarian).
C. Permissive: They are often warm, accepting, lenient, avoid confrontation, and make few demands on their children.
D. Uninvolved: This one is what it sounds like. They demand almost nothing, but additionally give almost nothing in return. Children have near complete freedom. This can border on neglect.
A. Authoritarian: Strict, controlling, exert control through power.
A woman has been going to therapy for the past two months. Whenever the therapist brings up emotional material the woman dismisses it and says she isn’t interested in talking about those subjects. She talks a lot about her day to day life and says she thinks she is ready to terminate. What should the therapist do next:
A. The client seems like she is doing fine and feels she is ready to terminate so the therapist should start the termination process.
B. The therapist should address the client’s resistance in discussing the emotional material.
C. The therapist should give the client two more sessions to see if she still feels ready for termination.
B. The therapist should address the client’s resistance in discussing the emotional material.
An unlicensed social worker is meeting with an older woman for their first therapy session. The older woman reminds the social worker a lot of her mother who she does not have a good relationship with. The social worker finds herself becoming easily frustrated with the older woman and is having a hard time remaining calm. What should the social worker do first:
A. She should bring up the situation with the client and explain why she is becoming agitated.
B. Since it is only the first session, she should transfer her to another therapist.
C. She should talk to a supervisor about her countertransference issues.
D. She should journal about her feelings after the sessions.
C. She should talk to a supervisor about her countertransference issues.
A clinical social worker is evaluating a friendly, 5-year-old child who has difficulty making friends in school. He is very verbal, but has a hard time answering questions about his feelings. He is eager to talk about all the different types of reptiles and knows all about them. What should be the social worker’s next step:
A. Diagnose him with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
B. Use play therapy to try to connect with him on different topics.
C. Refer him to a social skills group.
C. Refer him to a social skills group.
A social worker is conducting a study on the effectiveness of group therapy in decreasing depression in teenagers recently diagnosed with diabetes. Which of the follow refers to the extent to which the results of a study can be generalized to other situations and people?
A. External Validity
B. Internal Validity
C. Reliability
D. Statistical Significance
A. External Validity
An agency has chosen to use a single subject research protocol to assess their postpartum depression support groups. Which of the following BEST describes why an agency would choose this research model?
A. It has strong external validity
B. More than one variable can be measured
C. Avoid ethical issues related to creating a control group
C. Avoid ethical issues related to creating a control group
A social worker is part of an evaluation team assessing the effectiveness of a neighborhood outreach program targeting families with children ages 0-5. The social worker is in charge of collecting qualitative data. Which of the following is the BEST example of a qualitative measure?
A. Looking at the way variables such as age and income level impact the utilization of client services.
B. Tracking the number of clients served in a year through a specific program
C. Comparing the number of clients using a new service compared to an old service
D. Interviewing clients about their level of satisfaction with the changes in program delivery
D. Interviewing clients about their level of satisfaction with the changes in program delivery
A social worker in a community agency receives a referral for her friend’s preschool-age son. The social worker should:
A. Involve the friend in a comprehensive assessment and treatment plan
B. Conduct an initial assessment and make treatment recommendations
C. Refer the son to a different therapist
D. Treat the son after getting consultation regarding confidentiality and boundaries
C. Refer the son to a different therapist
A 55 year-old Native American woman seeks treatment following the death of her son. When working with Native American clients, in order to be culturally sensitive and develop a good therapeutic relationship it is important to observe all of the following EXCEPT:
A. Be directive
B. Use active listening and reflective responses.
C. Avoid interrupting
D. Allow for periods of silence
A. Be directive
A client with a history of severe depression reports hypersomnolence and decreased appetite. The client reports having discontinued his prescribed medication because he didn’t think he needed it anymore. The social worker should FIRST:
A. Question the client as to the other reasons for discontinuing the medication
B. Instruct the client to resume the medication
C. Encourage to the client to speak to his psychiatrist
D. Discuss alternative treatment options
C. Encourage to the client to speak to his psychiatrist
A gay couple who say they are both in long-term recovery for cocaine addictions request couples’ therapy. The couple reports frequent arguments and an increased sense of distance in their relationship. The social worker should FIRST:
A. Teach the couple communication skills.
B. Assess for a drug relapse in either partner.
C. Assign the couple intimacy exercises as homework.
D. Teach the couple anger management skills.
B. Assess for a drug relapse in either partner.
A married couple meet with a social worker in private practice for an initial session. Afterwards, the wife calls the social worker and states, “I have something I want to talk to you about, but my husband can’t find out.” The social worker’s MOST appropriate response would be to:
A. Reassure the wife that what she says will be kept confidential.
B. Recommend that both husband and wife meet individually before the next couple’s session.
C. Advise the wife of the therapist’s “no secrets” policy and suggest disclosure at a future couple’s session.
D. Refer the husband and wife to separate individual therapists.
C. Advise the wife of the therapist’s “no secrets” policy and suggest disclosure at a future couple’s session.
A social worker receives a referral from parents regarding their 9 year-old daughter. A social history reveals symptoms consistent with a diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder. What should the social worker do FIRST?
A. Determine if the child has had a recent physical examination to rule out possible physical causes for her symptoms
B. Under the diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder, refer the child to a psychiatrist for medication.
C. Have the parents fill out a questionnaire to confirm the diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder.
D. Begin cognitive behavioral therapy with the child to decrease symptoms.
A. Determine if the child has had a recent physical examination to rule out possible physical causes for her symptoms
A couple starts seeing a social worker after the death of their two children in a car accident. The social worker’s supervisor notices that the social worker is spending many hours on the phone with the couple and is seeing them more often than her other clients. The supervisor should:
A. Work with the social worker to assess if the level of intervention is necessary.
B. Advise the social worker that her behavior is unethical.
C. Transfer the clients immediately to a different social worker.
A. Work with the social worker to assess if the level of intervention is necessary.
A social worker in a community clinic meets with a woman who presents with issues related to her job. She discusses a recent incident in which she was gone from work for several days without notifying her boss or coworkers, although she has no memory of this. The client has found a pamphlet and tickets from a Broadway show in her home, although she states that she’s never been to New York. The client is describing which of the following conditions?
A. Depersonalization
B. Derealization
C. Delirium
D. Dissociation
D. Dissociation
A 12-year-old African-American boy has been meeting with a social worker for 2 months for feelings of depression. He recently discovered that one of his ancestors was a slave who led a rebellion during the Civil War. He previously felt ashamed of his background, but in sessions, starts speaking about his ancestor as being a “brave leader.” In terms of racial identity development, the client’s experience could be best described as:
A. Conformity
B. Dissonance
C. Resistance
D. Introversion
B. Dissonance
A newly licensed social worker is providing outreach to a community that recently experienced a major hurricane. The social worker goes door-to-door, asking families if they need mental health services and outlining opportunities to receive these services. At the end of her first week, the social worker realizes that no families have expressed interest in receiving mental health services. The social worker should next:
A. Attend upcoming community events to join with the community and understand their needs.
B. Provide informational flyers in community centers to reach people in a less threatening way.
C. Terminate the intervention since no one is interested.
D. Continue the intervention as planned.
A. Attend upcoming community events to join with the community and understand their needs.
A 50-year-old woman in the commercial real-estate business is referred to her EAP due to interpersonal conflicts with female co-workers. During the assessment, the social worker learns that the woman frequently minimizes her colleagues concerns regarding sexism and sexual harassment in the workplace and during work functions. The woman says, “They need to get over it. This is just part of the business. They’re being too sensitive.” The social worker should view this response as:
A. Expected, given the employment setting and cultural standards.
B. An internalization of the sexism the client has experienced during her career.
C. Evidence of a personality disorder.
D. An indication that long-term therapy is needed.
B. An internalization of the sexism the client has experienced during her career.
A 45-year-old man meets with a social worker for an initial appointment. He reports that his wife is an alcoholic and becomes verbally abusive when she is intoxicated. He indicates that his wife refuses to go to treatment, insisting that they can resolve this problem on their own. The therapist should FIRST:
A. Provide the man with psychoeducation around substance abuse and the stages of change.
B. Explore the man’s issues and work collaboratively to develop treatment goals.
C. Explore the man’s commitment to the relationship.
D. Help the man identify the reasons behind his wife’s behavior.
B. Explore the man’s issues and work collaboratively to develop treatment goals.
A new client comes to treatment after losing his job of 15 years. He reports that “nothing in his life is going right,” and goes on to note that his marriage is failing, recent investments are not paying off, and that he has “no real friends.” In addition to a risk assessment, the social worker should focus on:
A. The client’s strengths and resources
B. A possible medical issue
C. Referring the client for employment assistance
D. A referral for couples therapy
A. The client’s strengths and resources
A social worker at a local community mental health agency started a group for adults who grew up in the Foster care system. Each week fewer group members show up. In order to keep the group strong and ensure reasonable attendance, the social worker should:
A. Talk to the group members to assess why attendance is dwindling and have them assist with the group structure and future topics.
B. Cancel the group since it is not needed.
C. Change the day and time of the group to hopefully make it more convenient.
D. Have a different social worker take over the group.
A. Talk to the group members to assess why attendance is dwindling and have them assist with the group structure and future topics.
A social worker is attending a neighborhood block party. While speaking with her neighbor, the neighbor discloses that she was so frustrated with her child the other day that she hit her with a belt. While the neighbor is not a client of the social worker, the social worker should first:
A. Make a suspected child abuse report
B. Report the incident according to state law.
C. Refer the neighbor to a different social worker so there is no dual relationship.
B. Report the incident according to state law.
A social worker at a day treatment facility for teens with mood disorders is asked to provide crisis intervention following the suicide of a program participant. The social worker should FIRST:
A. Refrain from sharing information due to confidentiality.
B. Contact the residents’ parents to inform them of the situation.
C. Facilitate a group session to discuss the incident with the other participants.
D. Have individual meetings with each participant to discuss the incident.
C. Facilitate a group session to discuss the incident with the other participants.
A social worker in a community mental health agency meets with a 14-year-old boy and his parents after 3 months of treatment. The family first presented for treatment because the boy was experiencing feelings of anxiety and had several panic attacks. The goal of the session is to review the client’s progress and reevaluate the treatment plan. All of the following are examples of objective data EXCEPT:
A. The number of panic attacks the client reports in the past 2 weeks
B. The client’s score on the Beck Anxiety Inventory
C. The client’s ability to express feelings to the social worker
D. The parents’ report on how often the child avoids anxiety-provoking situations
C. The client’s ability to express feelings to the social worker
A 41-year-old woman has been in therapy for two years for anxiety attacks and depression. She is no longer taking medication and is currently symptom free. During recent therapy sessions she frequently laughs and enjoys herself. Which of the following actions should the social worker take?
A. Interpret the client’s behavior as a flight into good health.
B. Confront the client regarding avoidance of underlying issues.
C. Develop a termination plan with the client to maintain progress made.
D. Identify precipitating events leading to the new symptom development.
C. Develop a termination plan with the client to maintain progress made.
A 30-year-old man meets with a social worker for the first time and describes himself as a failure. He recently lost his job and his girlfriend of two years broke up with him. He feels hopeless about his life and is beginning to believe his family’s criticism and rejection of him are justified. As the interview progresses, his discouragement and feelings of worthlessness become more apparent. The social worker should FIRST:
A. Refer the client to a psychiatrist for a medication evaluation.
B. Help the client identify why his relationship with his girlfriend ended.
C. Schedule a family session.
D. Ask the client if he’s had any thoughts about hurting himself.
D. Ask the client if he’s had any thoughts about hurting himself.
A 55-year-old female client is in therapy with a male social worker for help with her relationships with her grown sons. The social worker perceives that a good working relationship has been established, but in the eighth session, the client announces that she wants a new social worker. She states that the social worker is too young and inexperienced to help with her particular problem. The social worker should FIRST:
A. Encourage the client to discuss her feelings about their relationship.
B. Review his professional experience to reassure the client.
C. Help the client to differentiate the social worker from her grown sons.
D. Offer a list of older social workers and facilitate a referral.
A. Encourage the client to discuss her feelings about their relationship.
A 53-year-old man comes to a social work agency for help regarding a loss of interest in sexual relations with his wife of 20 years. In the intake interview, the client further describes decreased energy, achiness all over his body and depressed mood. The social worker should FIRST:
A. Evaluate the client for sexual dysfunction.
B. Assess the client for depression.
C. Refer for a psychiatric evaluation.
D. Refer for a physical evaluation.
D. Refer for a physical evaluation.
A client is being treated by a social worker. She has a history of relationship problems and suicidal gestures. In the first session, the client tells the social worker how great she thinks the social worker is. What is the MOST important element of a treatment plan for this client?
A. Establishment of clear therapeutic boundaries with the client.
B. Short-term cognitive therapy to work with distorted self-image.
C. Long-term psychoanalytic therapy to process painful memories of the past.
A. Establishment of clear therapeutic boundaries with the client.
A client who is gay tells his social worker that he wants to have a baby. He reports that his plan is to contact an adoption agency to begin the process. What should the social worker do FIRST:
A. Assess the client’s ability to manage the potential negative response from family members.
B. Refer the client to a parenting class for single fathers.
C. Assess the client’s understanding of the steps needed to adopt a child.
D. Explore the client’s desire to become a parent.
D. Explore the client’s desire to become a parent.
A social worker is hired by a non-profit foundation to complete a process evaluation on three agencies that received grants from the foundation. Each of the following is an example of a process evaluation question EXCEPT:
A. Was the program more successful with certain groups of people than with others?
B. Was the program well managed?
C. Was there adequate agency support for the program?
D. What specific interventions were put into place by the program?
A. Was the program more successful with certain groups of people than with others?
A client with a history of interpersonal problems with co-workers has recently been fired for getting into repeated arguments with colleagues and supervisors. The client arrives at the next session late and becomes very angry when the social worker inquires about the client being late. The client yells, “Why are you monitoring my every move? Can’t you just trust me and leave me alone?” The social worker should interpret the client’s behavior as:
A. Resulting from a feeling of judgment by the social worker.
B. Displaying problems that occur in workplace relationships.
C. Indicating a need for medication to stabilize the behavior.
B. Displaying problems that occur in workplace relationships.
A patient admitted into ER has his partner listed as the emergency contact. The social worker learns that the nursing staff contacted his family instead of the partner. The social worker should NEXT:
A. Call the partner.
B. Tell the patient that his family was notified.
C. Wait until the family arrives and find out what they think is best.
D. Discuss the situation with the doctor.
B. Tell the patient that his family was notified.
A school social worker is meeting with a 17-year-old Latino student as part of her post-graduation assessment/planning. During the conversation, the student expresses a desire to go to college and then begins weeping and explains that as an undocumented student, most colleges will be out of reach. The social worker should FIRST:
A. Assist the student in identifying colleges that will accept undocumented students
B. Explain that the social worker cannot help since the student is technically breaking the law
C. Refer the student to an immigration attorney
D. Help the student process her feelings about being undocumented
A. Assist the student in identifying colleges that will accept undocumented students
An adult with Down Syndrome and diabetes is in an emergency room for treatment due to noncompliance with insulin shots. Before releasing her, the physician asks the social worker to interview the client and her parents, with whom she lives, about the situation. The social worker learns that the noncompliance with insulin has been an issue at home and at the client’s place of employment. What should the social worker do FIRST?
A. Provide the parents with information about how to apply for conservatorship.
B. Explore the client’s understanding of her illness and the significance of medical treatment.
C. Discuss the effects and benefits of medication with the whole family.
D. Reframe the client’s noncompliance as an example of her seeking independence.
B. Explore the client’s understanding of her illness and the significance of medical treatment.
The 66-year-old wife of a man with a Mild Neurocognitive Disorder seeks counseling from a social worker due to increasingly stressful caregiving responsibilities. The wife is well-integrated into the mental health and medical care delivery systems since her husband has been receiving a range of treatments since age 55. In order to reduce the wife’s sense of burden, the social worker should FIRST help her:
A. Provide her with psychoeducation regarding the illness and available treatments.
B. Utilize a life review to help her identify her husband’s positive contributions.
C. Improve her response accuracy to decrease crises.
D. Re-evaluate her system of caregiving resources outside the family.
D. Re-evaluate her system of caregiving resources outside the family.
A social worker and client have been working together for 2 months. The client, a 27-year-old woman, initially presented due to concerns about her alcohol use and its effect on her relationships and ability to perform her job duties. After the initial session, the client began minimizing her alcohol use and typically comes to session with another topic she wants to discuss. The social worker has attempted to confront the client about her avoidance of the topic, but the client is adamant that her drinking is not a problem at this time. The social worker should:
A. Continue to confront the client about her alcohol use
B. Consult with a colleague about the client’s resistance to change
C. Convey acceptance and monitor the client’s readiness for change
D. Discuss termination due to lack of client engagement
C. Convey acceptance and monitor the client’s readiness for change
A client who has recently immigrated to the United States seeks therapy to adjust to the client’s culturally different spouse. To assess the client’s level of acculturation, which of the following factors should the social worker take into consideration FIRST?
A. Newly immigrated individuals are often hesitant to challenge cultural traditions in their marital relationships.
B. Newly immigrated individuals are resistant to learning the rules of a new country.
C. Gender differences cause more discomfort than acculturation issues.
D. The pace of acculturation may vary from group to group.
D. The pace of acculturation may vary from group to group.
A social worker meets with a veteran who has been diagnosed with PTSD. During a session, the client’s eyes glaze over while he is talking about an experience in which several members of his platoon were killed. He sits forward in the chair, staring over the social worker’s shoulder, and talks in a calm, monotonous voice. The social worker should:
A. Employ a grounding technique to reconnect the client with the present moment
B. Allow the flashback to continue so the client can express his feelings
C. Assess the client for suicidal ideation
A. Employ a grounding technique to reconnect the client with the present moment
Social work supervisors engaging in activities that help the supervisee to: increase self-awareness, refine knowledge and skills, develop professionally as it pertains to their specific role, deal with ethical issues that arise, as well as learn appropriate techniques around assessment, intervention, and treatment planning is engaging in what type of supervision activities?
A. Administrative
B. Educational
C. Supportive
D. Clinical
B. Educational
A 38-year-old woman with Borderline Personality Disorder continually engages in scapegoating during a weekly treatment group. After consultation, the social worker facilitating the group decides to dismiss the client from the group due to the destructive nature of her in-group behaviors. What should the social worker to FIRST in order to facilitate termination?
A. Inform the client during a group session that she will be leaving the group in 2 weeks.
B. Ask the group whether the client should be dismissed from the group.
C. Schedule an individual appointment with the client to discuss the decision.
D. Refer the client for individual treatment before termination is discussed.
C. Schedule an individual appointment with the client to discuss the decision.
A social worker in a community mental health agency begins working with parents and their 12-year-old son. The family has been referred because the son’s grades are deteriorating and he’s been getting into fights at school. During the first few sessions, the social worker notices that the parents repeatedly express anger toward their son for lying, but when the son tells the truth, they yell at him for his “poor choices.” The social worker should NEXT:
A. Separate the child and the parents to help them each express frustration in a safe space
B. Point out this double bind to the parents
C. Ask the son to respond to the parents’ anger
B. Point out this double bind to the parents
In establishing a therapeutic alliance with a client from a different racial or ethnic background, the FIRST issue for the social worker to address is:
A. The racial or ethnic difference and how it may impact treatment.
B. Transference issues with the therapist.
C. The therapist’s countertransference.
D. The client’s history of encounters with people of different racial or ethnic backgrounds.
A. The racial or ethnic difference and how it may impact treatment.
A white social worker at a hospital is asked to evaluate a black woman who was recently brought in by the paramedics. When the social worker approaches the client, she refuses to tell the social worker what happened and states repeatedly that she fears anything she says to the social worker will be used against her. The woman requests to instead speak with the Latina nurse who has been caring for her since arrival. What is the MOST likely explanation for the woman’s behavior?
A. Cultural paranoia, which represents a healthy reaction to racism.
B. An episode of acting out of Borderline Personality dynamics.
C. Pathological paranoia regarding all social workers.
D. Resistance to assessment and treatment.
A. Cultural paranoia, which represents a healthy reaction to racism.
A 16-year-old is brought to treatment for an eating disorder. How would a social worker using Feminist Theory Therapy view this issue?
A. Unresolved issues of early childhood can manifest as eating disorders.
B. Her automatic thoughts cause unhealthy body-image.
C. Cultural expectations of women negatively affect their sense of self.
D. Denial of food is a defense mechanism to manage anxiety.
C. Cultural expectations of women negatively affect their sense of self.
A social worker receives a referral for family therapy. The family consists of mother, father, a 14-year-old girl, and an 8-year-old boy. The parents report they want the family to spend “quality time” together, but whenever they try, everyone ends of up fighting. The daughter rolls her eyes and reports that her parents try to talk to her “like they are my friends.” The 8-year-old says he wants to play with kids in the neighborhood and go to sleepovers, but the parents refuse, saying he can have “all of that fun right here at home.” The social worker should focus treatment on:
A. Helping the family establish appropriate roles and boundaries
B. Assisting the family in healthy communication strategies
C. Facilitating activity-based family interactions to build on relational strengths
D. Creating connection through conflict resolution
A. Helping the family establish appropriate roles and boundaries
An 8-year old child with developmental delays is currently in a regular classroom setting. He is struggling to keep up with the work and he is noticing he is not being assigned the same work material as his classmates. The social worker should first:
A. Advocate for him to receive an aid in the classroom.
B. Transfer him to a special education classroom.
C. Assess him using the mental status exam.
A. Advocate for him to receive an aid in the classroom.
The mother of an eight-year-old boy calls the school social worker and says that her son has been refusing to come to school because he is teased about being overweight. The mother demands that the school punish the students who have been teasing her son. What should the social worker do FIRST?
A. Encourage the mother not to overreact to the child’s report.
B. Get a list of the names of the bullies from the mom.
C. Meet with the child to assess and develop problem-solving strategies.
D. Refer the mom to a parenting support group.
C. Meet with the child to assess and develop problem-solving strategies.
A social worker is approached by a mother regarding her 2 ½ year-old daughter. The mother is distressed by the fact that her daughter frequently says “NO” when asked to clean up after herself, has occasional temper tantrums and wants to do “everything” independently. The social worker’s BEST response would be to:
A. Educate the mother about child development.
B. Schedule a biopsychosocial evaluation of the child.
C. Review possible behavior modification techniques.
A. Educate the mother about child development.
A 72-year-old woman has been in treatment with a social worker for 6 months for depression and anxiety. One day, she arrives thirty minutes late for a regularly scheduled appointment. She reports that she got confused on the bus and couldn’t remember which stop to get off at. The social worker should FIRST:
A. Call the client’s family and inform them of the incident.
B. Call the client a taxi for the ride home.
C. Encourage the client to get a physical examination.
D. Recommend immediate hospitalization for further evaluation.
C. Encourage the client to get a physical examination.
A social worker in a small community is contacted by a prospective client regarding therapy for conflicts she is experiencing at her job. The social worker knows that the client works at the agency where the social worker was previously a supervisor, although the social worker did not supervise the client. The prospective client insists that the social worker’s knowledge of the agency environment and culture will benefit treatment because of increased understanding. What is the social worker’s MOST appropriate response?
A. Decline to provide therapy due to knowledge of the previous business relationship.
B. Assure the client of confidentiality before beginning treatment.
C. Provide treatment while maintaining self-awareness regarding boundary issues.
D. Explore the meaning of dual relationships before beginning treatment.
A. Decline to provide therapy due to knowledge of the previous business relationship.
An emergency room social worker is asked to evaluate an 18 year-old pregnant female who was admitted after an accident at her job. The woman reports to the social worker that she hasn’t seen a doctor “in a year or so,” gets most of her meals at the fast-food restaurant where she works, gets very little sleep and enjoys “partying” with her friends on the weekends. The social worker should FIRST:
A. Assess the client’s knowledge of the effects of her behavior on the fetus.
B. Refer the client to support services for teen mothers.
C. Provide psychoeducation about the effects of alcohol on fetal development.
D. Immediately report the client for suspected abuse of her unborn child.
A. Assess the client’s knowledge of the effects of her behavior on the fetus.
A social worker is working with a family with three children, the oldest of whom, age 14, is in a wheelchair because of cerebral palsy. The parents describe the child’s lack of interest in family activities and believe that he is depressed. The child remarks that his mother hovers over him, and they never let him go anywhere alone. He expresses an interest in going to special needs summer camp, but his parents shake their heads. What should the social worker do FIRST?
A. Support the parents’ understandable need to be protective.
B. Refer the 14-year-old for a medication evaluation.
C. Provide psychoeducation about normal adolescent development.
D. Encourage parents to support their son’s independence.
C. Provide psychoeducation about normal adolescent development.
Which of the following therapies is present-focused and short-term, that helps the client identify, challenge, and replace self-defeating thoughts and feelings that interfere with life goals with more productive, helpful behaviors that help with the attainment of goals and positive relationships:
A. Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy
B. Dialectical Behavior Therapy
C. Humanistic Therapy
A. Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy
A 23-year-old woman seeks treatment from a social worker through her university following a dramatic breakup with her girlfriend. During the assessment, the social worker notes that the client seems to have abandonment issues that stem from a long history of fragmented relationships. If the social worker operates from a client-centered therapy model, all of the following interventions apply EXCEPT:
A. Empathizing with the client’s experience
B. Exploring the client’s cultural background and expectations in relationships
C. Matching the tone and pacing of the client’s verbal communication
D. Maintaining a positive stance toward the client
B. Exploring the client’s cultural background and expectations in relationships
A group of non-profit agencies are concerned about recent violence in the neighborhoods they serve. During a conference call, one of the program managers suggests forming a coalition. Which of the following statements is MOST true about coalitions?:
A. They draw together representatives of a number of groups who have common interests or concerns regarding a particular issue
B. They are made up of individuals in disagreement about a particular policy
C. The effectiveness of a coalition is determined by the number of individuals in that coalition
D. Members of coalitions come from similar backgrounds, allowing them to be in agreement on all issues surrounding a particular policy issue.
A. They draw together representatives of a number of groups who have common interests or concerns regarding a particular issue
When a clinical supervisor interacts with their supervisee in a way that models for the supervisee how they should interact with their clients, this can be referred to as:
A. Countertransference
B. Parallel Process
C. Transference
D. Mentoring
B. Parallel Process
A non-profit agency in a low-income housing development receives a grant to provide housing residents with opportunities to become involved in local and state politics. The goal is to affect policy and improve socioeconomic conditions. What approach is the social worker MOST likely using?
A. Ecological Model
B. Program development
C. Peer Training
D. Empowerment
D. Empowerment
A social worker is meeting with a client involved in a bitter custody dispute with her ex-boyfriend. The client shares that her six-year-old daughter doesn’t like her dad’s new girlfriend. The client adds, “If I ever hear that his girlfriend does something to my daughter, I’ll make sure she pays.” What should be the social worker’s immediate concern?
A. Warn the former girlfriend of the threat.
B. Acknowledge the client’s feelings about this situation.
C. Clarify what the client means by “I’ll make sure she pays.”
C. Clarify what the client means by “I’ll make sure she pays.”
A 29 year old is in treatment for Schizophrenia. She complains to her social worker about experiencing involuntary facial tics and twitches in her arms and legs. What should the social worker do?
A. Explain to her that she could be experiencing side effects from her antipsychotic medication and refer her to speak to her Doctor.
B. Assess her to see if she is using illegal drugs.
C. Explain that this can be a symptom of Schizophrenia.
A. Explain to her that she could be experiencing side effects from her antipsychotic medication and refer her to speak to her Doctor.
A 69-year-old diabetic client is referred by her doctor. She recently had her leg amputated because she hasn’t been following her insulin and diet plan. The client cries in session and tells you “I just can’t manage all this and I don’t see it getting better.” What should the social worker do FIRST?
A. Strengthen the client’s social support network.
B. Get a release to consult with the doctor about her treatment.
C. Develop a plan for medical compliance.
D. Assess client for potential suicide.
D. Assess client for potential suicide.
After eight sessions with a teenage girl who suffers from anxiety and depression, her mother calls and informs the social worker that they won’t be bringing the daughter for therapy because they don’t think it’s helping. The social worker believes that the daughter is benefiting from therapy. The social worker should NEXT:
A. Explore the mother’s views that therapy isn’t working.
B. Provide referral to another social worker.
C. Encourage the mother to allow the daughter to come for a termination session.
D. Discuss the ways the social worker believes the client has improved.
A. Explore the mother’s views that therapy isn’t working.
A company hires a social work consultant after experiencing a noticeable shift in employee morale that the administration believes is impacting productivity. The consultant should FIRST:
A. Provide training to administration on ways to improve employee morale
B. Identify other reasons for decreased productivity
C. Encourage the company to lay off individuals who are having a negative impact on work culture
D. Provide space for employees to express their concerns and experiences
D. Provide space for employees to express their concerns and experiences
Assertiveness Therapy is an Evidence-Based therapy characterized by all of the following EXCEPT:
A. It helps the client engage in actions that reflect their own best interest
B. It teaches the client to stand up for oneself without experiencing significant anxiety
C. It helps the client express their feelings comfortably
D. It assists the client in exercising their own rights and denying the rights of others
D. It assists the client in exercising their own rights and denying the rights of others
A school social worker has been assigned to work with an 8-year-old girl referred by her teacher for profanity with peers. What should the social worker to FIRST?
A. Schedule a family conference.
B. Request a medical evaluation.
C. Report child abuse.
D. Confer with the teacher about the behavior.
D. Confer with the teacher about the behavior.
A social worker has been facilitating a support group for mothers with postpartum depression for nearly a year when she receives a training opportunity that will require her to be gone for several months. The social worker should NEXT:
A. Notify the group of her training opportunity and explain why she will be gone
B. Meet with each group member individually to process what her absence will mean for them
C. Arrange for another social worker to take over the group to ensure the client’s needs are met
D. Consult with a supervisor about how to terminate with group members
C. Arrange for another social worker to take over the group to ensure the client’s needs are met
A white social worker receives a referral from a school counselor for a 5 year-old black male. The counselor reports that the child refuses to stay in his seat, is disruptive to his peers and is oppositional with the teacher. When the social worker meets with the boy’s parents, they offer one-word answers to questions and the father sits with his arms folded across his chest. He states, “You people are always targeting us. I bet you don’t see any white kids getting referred!” What should the social worker do FIRST?
A. Refer the parents to a black social worker.
B. Suggest behavioral modification techniques to address the behaviors.
C. Clarify the parents’ understanding of the reasons for the referral.
D. Explore the parents’ perceptions of their child’s behavior.
C. Clarify the parents’ understanding of the reasons for the referral.
A social worker in community agency has been working with a client with Borderline Personality Disorder for 2 years; the social worker has begun to feel that the client needs involvement in a Dialectical Behavioral Treatment (DBT) program in order to improve. The client is hospitalized for a suicide attempt before the social worker can discuss this treatment option. The social worker should:
A. Suggest that the hospital refer the client to a local DBT program.
B. Contact the DBT program and refer the client upon discharge.
C. Call the client in the hospital to discuss termination and referral.
D. Resume work with the client after discharge.
D. Resume work with the client after discharge.
A social worker has been working with a 24-year-old client who has recently lost his job and is depressed; the client has had to move back in with his parents as a result of lost income. One day, the client’s mother calls the social worker and expresses concern about her son’s inability to find a new job. The mother presses the social worker to learn whether or not her son has discussed plans to contact a staffing agency for an interview. The social worker should FIRST:
A. Validate the mother’s concern about her son.
B. Explain that information cannot be disclosed without a client’s consent.
C. Discuss the mother’s concerns with the client at the next session.
D. Set up a family session with the mother and son to discuss their issues.
B. Explain that information cannot be disclosed without a client’s consent.
An 85-year-old woman has been in the hospital due to ongoing medical problems. The woman lost her husband 5 years ago and has since then been living on her own with the help of family who live nearby. The hospital social worker meets with the physician who states that the client will need to move into an assisted living home. The physician reports that the client will be angry with this plan and therefore asks that the social worker arrange for the move to occur without the client’s knowledge. The social worker should tell the physician that:
A. Family members should be given the option to have the client live with them.
B. The family should be in charge of finding the appropriate placement.
C. The client should be a part of the process in deciding what happens next.
D. The client should be given the option to select various discharge plans.
C. The client should be a part of the process in deciding what happens next.
A 54 year old Ukrainian male comes in for treatment complaining of irritability and low levels of energy. He lost his job 2 months ago and has found himself drinking more and more often. He states that he cannot afford paying for therapy out of pocket, however, he can use his wife’s insurance that covers him up to 12 sessions. When the social worker looks into the details of coverage, he finds out that the insurance company does not cover treatment for some diagnoses, such as Adjustment Disorder or Substance Abuse, which is precisely the diagnosis given to the client. The social worker should:
A. Keep the diagnosis as is and discuss bartering with the client.
B. Change the diagnosis to Depression NOS, which is covered by the insurance company and submit billing for reimbursement.
C. Keep the diagnosis as is and discuss other payment options with the client.
D. Discuss the situation with the client and allow him to make an informed decision as to what diagnosis to submit to the insurance company.
C. Keep the diagnosis as is and discuss other payment options with the client.
A 45-year-old lawyer comes to his session drunk. The social worker’s INITIAL response would be to:
A. Discuss his decision to drink before the session.
B. Determine whether he was driving drunk.
C. Reschedule the session and assist him in finding a safe way home.
D. Call someone to come pick him up.
C. Reschedule the session and assist him in finding a safe way home.
A hospice social worker is meeting with two women whose father is dying. The social worker should FIRST:
A. Address end-of-life wishes.
B. Provide referrals to local agencies that can assist with funeral arrangements and costs.
C. Encourage the daughters to express unresolved issues to their father.
D. Help the daughters understand what to expect during the grief process.
D. Help the daughters understand what to expect during the grief process.
A family meets with a social worker for family therapy due to concerns regarding their 16-year-old daughter. The mother reports that their daughter was recently diagnosed with a medical condition that requires medication monitoring and a strict diet. She says that her daughter has many friends, and does well in school, however has recently been questioning her parent’s authority and demanding to make her own choices. The father also reports that their daughter refuses to follow her required diet. This behavior is MOST likely due to?
A. Her parents misunderstanding of typical adolescent behavior.
B. The client is experimenting with drugs and alcohol.
C. The client’s need to exert control over a part of her life.
C. The client’s need to exert control over a part of her life.
A Native American man seeks therapy for alcohol abuse. In developing a treatment plan, how should the social worker take into consideration both his culture and his struggle with alcoholism?
A. Refer him to an inpatient substance abuse facility.
B. Ask how many friends in the Native American community he has.
C. Recommend that he enroll in a group for Native Americans dealing with alcoholism.
D. Consult his tribe in regard to how to treat this issue.
C. Recommend that he enroll in a group for Native Americans dealing with alcoholism.
A new student at a high school is told by a school administrator that she cannot wear her ethnic headdress to school. The student is very upset and is sent to the social worker’s office. After processing the situation with the student, what should the social worker do NEXT?
A. Contact her parents and inform them of situation.
B. Advocate for the client by addressing the issue with the principal.
C. Host a diversity training with the administration.
B. Advocate for the client by addressing the issue with the principal.
A social worker is evaluating an 8-year-old child of a different ethnic background whose mother was recently reported to child protective services due to alleged child abuse. When assessing the risk factors, the social worker must FIRST:
A. Understand culturally appropriate body language and communication.
B. Understand how one’s own cultural values and beliefs influence the social worker’s ability to deal with issues regarding diversity.
C. Understand that the clinical interview is more important than standardized assessments.
B. Understand how one’s own cultural values and beliefs influence the social worker’s ability to deal with issues regarding diversity.
A social worker uses a standard progress note to document treatment sessions. After a recent session with a client, the social worker realizes that she left out a key piece of information related to the client’s plan before the next session. In order to document this additional information, the social worker should:
A. Include it at the bottom of the note with the other pieces of planning information
B. Make an addendum to the previous note and sign and date it
C. Wait until the next session and note it as part of the weekly assessment
B. Make an addendum to the previous note and sign and date it
A client receives treatment for substance use by a social worker who is a recovering alcoholic. During the course of this client’s treatment, the social worker begins to experience cravings to use alcohol and feels increasingly angry toward the client. Which of the following actions should the social worker take?
A. Terminate services with the client and provide appropriate referrals.
B. Seek immediate consultation with a supervisor for identifying and resolving countertransference issues.
C. Return to alcohol treatment program for personal assistance with maintaining sobriety.
D. Share feelings with client as way of creating a supportive common ground of experience.
B. Seek immediate consultation with a supervisor for identifying and resolving countertransference issues.
The director of a social services agency is interested in developing a new social skills program to help children with ADHD. In working with staff, the director splits the appropriate clients into two groups: one group will undergo the experimental social skills group; the other will participate in an evidenced-based social skills protocol. This is best described as:
A. Single-subject design
B. Quasi-experimental design
C. Randomized controlled trial
D. Cross-sectional design
B. Quasi-experimental design
A 20-year-old student presents for therapy to address feelings of anxiety and confusion. He indicates that he is in an intimate relationship with another male student, and his parents are coming to visit this weekend. He states, “I don’t know what to do. They will disown me if they find out.” What interventions are indicated to treat this client?
A. Present a nonjudgmental stance regarding the student’s sexual orientation and encourage the student to be open with his parents.
B. Assist the student in problem-solving around the immediate concern and work over the longer term to explore issues of sexual identity.
C. Normalize the student’s internal conflict regarding sexual dysphoria and develop a plan to safely meet with his parents.
D. Schedule a family therapy session and allow disclosure of sexual orientation in a safe and supportive environment.
B. Assist the student in problem-solving around the immediate concern and work over the longer term to explore issues of sexual identity.
A 32-year-old male with criminal history has been in therapy for several months to deal with anxiety and relationship issues. One session he shares that he robbed an electronics store three days prior. The social worker’s BEST response is to:
A. Make a police report.
B. Call the store and inform them of what happened.
C. Talk to the client about turning himself in.
D. Maintain confidentiality and process the incident with the client.
D. Maintain confidentiality and process the incident with the client.
A 22-year-old man who is diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder meets with a social worker. During the initial interview with the social worker, the client states the he feels like he is always in crisis. The social worker feels uncomfortable working with the client since she has no experience in this area. Social work ethics require that the social worker:
A. Research effective treatments for borderline personality disorder.
B. Consult with a colleague who is skilled in treatment of borderline personality disorder.
C. Provide the client with a referral to a therapist who is knowledgeable in this area.
D. Assist the client in identifying effective coping mechanisms.
C. Provide the client with a referral to a therapist who is knowledgeable in this area.
A new client comes to session displaying lethargy and describes her situation as “near hopeless.” She failed her real estate examination two times. She tells the social worker that no matter what she does, there is no way she can pass that examination. She also says that she’s been gaining weight since she’s been studying. If the social worker was using Cognitive therapy, which of the following would constitute elements of the treatment plan?
A. Forming a collaborative relationship; working on her misperceptions of physical symptoms; using Socratic questioning.
B. Forming a collaborative relationship; working with her negative view of the cognitive triad; working on her underlying assumptions that are fueling her automatic thoughts.
C. Forming a strong therapeutic relationship; working on her fear of being fat; employing collaborative empiricism.
B. Forming a collaborative relationship; working with her negative view of the cognitive triad; working on her underlying assumptions that are fueling her automatic thoughts.
A mother and her 8-year-old daughter are referred to a social worker after a school counselor receives several reports that the girl has been bullying classmates. The mother is confused and says that her daughter gets along well with her two siblings and other children in their apartment complex. After completing a social and developmental history from the mother, the social worker should NEXT:
A. Schedule an individual session with the girl.
B. Have the mother sign a release to talk with the school counselor.
C. Schedule a session with the siblings to gather additional information.
D. Request the girl’s school record.
B. Have the mother sign a release to talk with the school counselor.
During a supervision session at a community agency, a social work supervisor makes a sexual advance towards their clinical supervisee. What should the social work supervisee’s INITIAL action be?:
A. Report this incident to HR at their agency
B. Begin working toward obtaining a new supervisor
C. Explain to the supervisor that this is not appropriate
D. Report the supervisor to their regulatory board
A. Report this incident to HR at their agency
During a session with a client who is diagnosed with anxiety, the social worker notices the client has stereotyped beliefs against various racial groups. These beliefs go against the social worker’s personal values. The social worker should:
A. Provide the client with referrals to another therapist.
B. Address the client’s stereotyped beliefs in a nonjudgmental manner.
C. Address the presenting problem while respecting the client’s beliefs.
D. Discuss the conflict in value system with the client.
C. Address the presenting problem while respecting the client’s beliefs.
A social worker is treating a client who recently informed her employer that she was five months pregnant and planning to take maternity leave following the birth of the child. The client soon after received written notice of termination from employment due to “personnel conflicts.” The client asks the social worker what she should do. What is the BEST response the social worker should give?
A. Request disability insurance.
B. Explore alternative employment options.
C. Seek legal advice regarding the termination.
D. Confront her manager about the termination.
C. Seek legal advice regarding the termination.
A social worker at a residential treatment center is having trouble focusing at work due to a recent divorce. A co-worker tells the social worker that a few patients have come up to her saying they are frustrated by the social worker’s negative demeanor. The social worker should FIRST:
A. Meet individually with the patients who are frustrated.
B. Decrease her caseload.
C. Consult with a supervisor.
D. Be more conscious of her demeanor around patients.
C. Consult with a supervisor.
A social worker was recently assigned as case manager for a family with three children who are in foster care due to neglect by their mother. While developing service plans for the siblings, the social worker should recognize that it is MOST important to:
A. Meet with the foster parents’ to address their concerns.
B. Use a solution-focused intervention to address the individual needs of each child by creating separate treatment goals.
C. Develop the same treatment goals for all three siblings.
D. Develop treatment goals around the reason that the children were removed from their home.
B. Use a solution-focused intervention to address the individual needs of each child by creating separate treatment goals.
A gay couple seeks therapy for communication and commitment issues. During the initial session, one of the clients asks if the social worker believes in gay marriage. How should the social worker respond?
A. Refer them to a gay therapist.
B. Explore why the information is important to the client.
C. Share views of gay marriage.
D. Ask how the couple feels about gay marriage.
B. Explore why the information is important to the client.
A hospital social worker is assessing a woman who was recently hospitalized due to self-neglect. In developing after care plans, the woman reports that she never married and has no family in the area. In helping the patient develop discharge plans, the social worker should FIRST:
A. Assess the client’s ability level to provide self-care at home.
B. Refer the client to a local assisted living home.
C. Encourage the client to find social support in the area.
D. Refer the client to local home health care agencies.
A. Assess the client’s ability level to provide self-care at home.
A therapist is facilitating an anger management group for men who have been court-ordered for treatment due to domestic violence charges. During the initial session, the group members ask the therapist questions about confidentiality and how much information from group will be shared with the court. The therapist should:
A. Explain that the court will only be provided with general treatment summaries
B. Explain that all information from groups will be shared with the court
C. Review the requirements from the court to identify what information will be shared
D. Encourage clients to only share information they feel comfortable being passed on to the court
C. Review the requirements from the court to identify what information will be shared
A school social worker is a member of the local school board and believes extracurricular activity policies are discriminatory toward students who come from lower-income families. What should the social worker do FIRST?
A. Refer families to lawyers who specialize in discrimination
B. Bring concerns to the next school board meeting
C. Utilize local media to inform the community of these concerns
D. Document instances of discrimination
D. Document instances of discrimination
A 20-year-old woman recently started therapy with a social worker due to posttraumatic stress symptoms after being sexually assaulted on her college campus. The mother of the client has contacted the social worker asking for information regarding the client’s sessions saying that she “ wants to stay in the loop.” The social worker’s FIRST response to this request would be to:
A. Provide the mother with minimal details of the client’s treatment.
B. Encourage the mother to speak with her daughter directly.
C. Set up a family session where the mother is able to directly address her concerns with her daughter.
D. Decline to provide information by addressing the confidential nature of the therapeutic relationship with the mother.
D. Decline to provide information by addressing the confidential nature of the therapeutic relationship with the mother.
A social worker was recently promoted to Director of Prevention Programs at a community mental health agency. The agency was awarded a grant to develop primary prevention strategies for the families they serve. The social worker should focus on all of the following EXCEPT:
A. A social skills group for children with ADHD.
B. Free informational sessions on immunizations for parents.
C. Ongoing skills training for teens on how to build healthy relationships.
A. A social skills group for children with ADHD.
The parents of a 16-year-old boy make an appointment to meet with a social worker due to ongoing arguments at home. During the initial meeting, the boy reports feeling angry that his parents do not listen to him or value his feelings. His mother agrees, saying that she wishes they were all able to communicate better with one another. In creating a treatment plan, the social worker should write the objective as:
A. Communication skills will improve for the majority of the week.
B. No more than two arguments will be reported per week.
C. Communication skills will improve 75 percent of the time.
D. No arguments will be reported by the client during the week.
B. No more than two arguments will be reported per week.
A social worker at a family mental health clinic sees a young boy whose parents have noticed recent behavioral changes in him. They report that he no longer hangs out with his friends at school, does not enjoy the same activities he used to, and appears withdrawn. Throughout the interview it becomes apparent that the changes occurred after the parents and child moved into a family friend’s house. The social worker should NEXT:
A. Explore the recent changes in the home environment.
B. Inform the parents that these changes in behavior are developmentally normal.
C. Address the possibility of child abuse with the parents.
D. Encourage the parents to find a new living arrangement for the child.
A. Explore the recent changes in the home environment.
A hospital social worker is working with a 45-year-old man who was recently hospitalized. The social worker is part of a multidisciplinary team at the hospital and in speaking with the patient’s physician learns that the patient has a terminal illness. The physician states, “I don’t think it is appropriate to inform the patient of his prognosis. It will only make his final days more difficult.” The social worker, who disagrees with the physician, should:
A. Call for a meeting with the treatment team.
B. Contact the medical licensing board to report the physician’s unethical practices.
C. Address the concerns with the physician directly.
C. Address the concerns with the physician directly.
A client who has been in treatment for five months for Major Depression recently lost her job and tells you that she can no longer afford her full co-payment but wants to continue therapy. The social worker should:
A. Refer her to get unemployment benefits.
B. Reduce her co-payment.
C. Consider reducing co-payment temporarily, but inform the insurance if done.
D. Refer her to a low-fee community mental health center.
C. Consider reducing co-payment temporarily, but inform the insurance if done.
While working at a residential treatment center, a social worker overhears a recently terminated client ask another social worker to meet at a local bar for dinner. The social worker agrees saying that she is looking forward to celebrating the client’s completion of the program. The social worker in this situation should FIRST:
A. Meet with the supervisor and colleague to discuss the issue.
B. Address the issue with a supervisor.
C. Address the issue directly with the colleague.
D. Report the colleague to the licensing board.
C. Address the issue directly with the colleague.
A social worker in private practice works predominantly with adolescents and uses text messaging to remind them of upcoming appointments. The social worker accidentally sends a message to a client that was intended for her son that says, “I love you.” What is the BEST response to this incident?
A. Acknowledge mistake and discuss the boundary violation
B. Explore the impact of texting on the therapeutic relationship
C. Stop using text messaging in clinical practice
D. Send a follow-up text apologizing for the mix up
A. Acknowledge mistake and discuss the boundary violation
A hospice social worker obtained a referral for a 78-year-old man whose health is quickly deteriorating. In speaking with the patient over the phone, the man states that he only wants to receive hospice services if he can be discharged to his son’s home. However, in speaking with the son, he reports feeling like he would not be able to care for his father properly. The social worker should FIRST:
A. Arrange to meet with the family to address the patient’s end-of-life wishes.
B. Speak with the son to address his hesitations.
C. Schedule a consultation with a supervisor to address the conflict.
D. Meet with the patient to encourage inpatient care.
B. Speak with the son to address his hesitations.
A new client reports that her husband is always yelling at her and saying that he does not know why he married her since there are so many other women who would want to be with him. The client states that she knows he’s right and she wants the social worker to help her learn how to be a good wife for him. The social worker should FIRST:
A. Encourage the client to attend marital counseling with her husband.
B. Explore ways in which the client can communicate better with her husband.
C. Discuss the common dynamics of domestic abuse with the client.
D. Provide the client with referrals to domestic abuse shelters.
C. Discuss the common dynamics of domestic abuse with the client.
A 24-year-old Asian-American male client seeks therapy for anxiety. In the first session with the social worker he complains of obsessive thoughts that are interfering with his performance in graduate school. The client asks the social worker to teach him techniques that will allow him to complete his assignments. What should the social worker do FIRST?
A. Make a referral for a medication evaluation
B. Explore the subject matter of the client’s thoughts
C. Provide the client with distress tolerance skills to manage the thoughts
B. Explore the subject matter of the client’s thoughts
After meeting with a Japanese-American family for several months, the family has experienced improvements in communication and their children’s’ behavior has improved. The parents give the social worker a gift card in appreciation of the good work with the family. What should the social worker do NEXT
A. Acknowledge the parent’s appreciation and accept gift
B. Acknowledge the parent’s appreciation and decline gift
C. Determine whether “fee for service” is acceptable in area
D. Explore cultural importance of providing gift
B. Acknowledge the parent’s appreciation and decline gift
A couple brings their adult son to meet with his social worker. The son is diagnosed with schizophrenia and lives with them. The couple reports that the previous night the son assaulted the father and now they are afraid of him. They are not sure he is taking his medication. In the interview, the social worker finds that the client is psychotic, agitated, and unwilling to be hospitalized. What should the social worker do NEXT?
A. Encourage client’s father file a police report of the assault.
B. Work toward emergency psychiatric commitment.
C. Assist the parents in filing a restraining order.
D. Attempt to convince the client to take his medication.
B. Work toward emergency psychiatric commitment.
A 34 year-old woman seeks treatment for increasing symptoms of anxiety. She is the single mother of a 4 year-old girl, after having separated from her daughter’s father 3 months ago. She reports that their separation was mutual and they continue to be friends, but she states that her feelings of anxiety are increasing. She is increasingly concerned about her ability to be a single parent and has recently been considering sending her daughter to live with the father. She reports feeling disconnected from her daughter and unsure of how to “get things back to normal.” What should the social worker do FIRST?
A. Discuss a referral to a psychiatrist for medication evaluation.
B. Offer a joint session with client’s ex to discuss ways to split the daughter’s time between the two of them.
C. Assess whether there have been any recent incidents that contributed to client’s increased anxiety.
D. Acknowledge client’s feelings of distress and confusion.
D. Acknowledge client’s feelings of distress and confusion.
A school social worker starts a social skills group for middle-school girls that is aimed at increasing positive peer interactions and improving self-esteem. During the first session, the social worker provides the students with information about the group and has each member say her name and grade. To create group cohesion, the social worker should NEXT:
A. Have each group member describe a recent conflict with a peer
B. Meet with each student individually to build rapport with the social worker
C. Facilitate a group discussion about rules and expectations
D. Share a personal experience related to low self-esteem
C. Facilitate a group discussion about rules and expectations
A social worker begins working with a 20-year-old client who is experiencing depression. The role of the social worker during this beginning phase of treatment is BEST understood by:
A. Determining the most appropriate therapeutic interventions to use.
B. Clarifying and exploring the client’s expectations.
C. Creating a treatment plan to be followed throughout the course of treatment.
D. Addressing the importance of the therapeutic relationship.
B. Clarifying and exploring the client’s expectations.
A 45-year-old female has a history of paranoid delusions and crack cocaine use. She is distrustful of the system and service providers in general. She has refused medication and substance abuse treatment. What INITIAL clinical strategy should the social worker use in this case?
A. Refer the client to substance abuse treatment.
B. Attempt to establish a trusting relationship to engage the treatment.
C. Assist the client in seeing a psychiatrist to treat her mental illness.
B. Attempt to establish a trusting relationship to engage the treatment.
What co-occurring condition is MOST likely to be diagnosed in a client with Schizophrenia:
A. Substance Use Disorder
B. Anxiety Disorder
C. Depressive Disorder
A. Substance Use Disorder
A social worker runs an anger management group at a community mental health agency. A group member meets with the social worker individually, to complain that another group member shared confidential information outside of the group. What is the social worker’s BEST response?
A. Encourage the client to address concerns during the next group session
B. Address the issue with the other group member at next group session
C. Remind group members of the importance of maintaining confidentiality
D. Meet with the offending group member and discuss concerns
A. Encourage the client to address concerns during the next group session
The parents of a 4-year-old boy bring him in to meet with a social worker due to ongoing behavioral difficulties. The mother reports that they adopted their son when he was 13-months-old from an orphanage in Eastern Europe where he was severely neglected. The mother begins to cry, reporting that since then their son won’t let them hug him and states that he, “often prefers the comfort of strangers over us.” The father says that the boy doesn’t engage with other kids his age and often appears withdrawn. The MOST likely diagnosis for this child is:
A. ADHD
B. Major Depression
C. Reactive Attachment Disorder
D. Oppositional Defiant Disorder
C. Reactive Attachment Disorder
A social worker meets with a single parent struggling to provide adequate housing, food, and health care for himself and his two younger children. The FIRST thing the social worker should do is:
A. help client develop coping skills to deal with stressors.
B. file a report regarding possible neglect.
C. provide client with information about financial services.
D. provide client with referrals for services that meet his specific needs.
D. provide client with referrals for services that meet his specific needs.
A social worker at a day treatment program notices a colleague giving the agency credit card to a client so that he can go next door and purchase supplies for the office. When the social worker brings up the situation with the colleague, the colleague states that the client always brings back a receipt and has never used the card inappropriately. The social worker should:
A. Ignore the problem since the colleague was already addressed.
B. Report the colleague to the licensing board.
C. Notify a supervisor of the situation so it can be further addressed.
D. Inform the client that he should no longer be doing favors for the colleague.
C. Notify a supervisor of the situation so it can be further addressed.
A social worker meets with a client who was recently diagnosed with Schizophrenia. The client reports that her psychiatrist has told her that medication is necessary to manage her symptoms but that she does not want to be on medication for the rest of her life. She states that she hasn’t told anyone about the diagnosis and that, “everyone will just think I’m crazy, because I am.” The social worker should FIRST:
A. Refer the client back to her psychiatrist to discuss her feelings about medication
B. Explore the client’s thoughts and feelings about her diagnosis and prognosis
C. Refer the client to a support group for people with Schizophrenia
B. Explore the client’s thoughts and feelings about her diagnosis and prognosis
A social worker has been trying to become more culturally aware due to an increasing amount of diverse clients at work. She has been reading about communication practices, values, and beliefs of various ethnic populations. In order to continue becoming competent in multicultural practices, the social worker should also:
A. Explore one’s own cultural beliefs and prejudices.
B. Seek out personal psychotherapy to address explore personal beliefs about other cultures.
C. Immerse oneself in the culture that is being studied.
A. Explore one’s own cultural beliefs and prejudices.
A social worker at a residential treatment center has been providing case management to a client. While working with other clients the social worker has heard that the client is dissatisfied with the case management services the social worker is providing and said the social worker doesn’t care about her. The social worker should:
A. Be more self aware of how the social worker presents herself in front of this particular client.
B. Meet with the client to address what was said and encourage her to be more direct about her concerns regarding the social worker in the future.
C. Transfer the client to a different social worker in the agency.
D. Meet with the client individually to address the rumors that were heard and facilitate a non-confrontational discussion regarding the problem.
D. Meet with the client individually to address the rumors that were heard and facilitate a non-confrontational discussion regarding the problem.
A social worker is asked to assist an elderly client in making alternative living arrangements. In the initial interview, the client repeatedly attempts to discuss past events. What is the social worker’s MOST appropriate initial response to the client?
A. Redirect client to the housing issue.
B. Facilitate discussion of the recollections.
C. Refer client to a support group for elders.
B. Facilitate discussion of the recollections.
When writing case notes for a court-mandated client, the social worker should include information related to the client’s:
A. Specific treatment needs.
B. Level of participation in treatment.
C. Improvement in use of coping mechanisms as needed.
D. Progression toward specific goals and objectives as stated on the treatment plan.
D. Progression toward specific goals and objectives as stated on the treatment plan.
A social worker meets with the director of a community mental health center. During the meeting, the social worker conveys various frustrations about the agency. The BEST way for the director to address this is by:
A. Scheduling a meeting with the director, the social worker’s supervisor, and the social worker to address the concerns.
B. Scheduling a meeting with the social worker’s supervisor to address the concerns.
C. Listening to the concerns and encouraging the social worker to speak with a supervisor.
D. Listening to the concerns and assessing the best way to create change based on the social worker’s concerns.
C. Listening to the concerns and encouraging the social worker to speak with a supervisor.
A social worker at a community mental health clinic becomes aware that the clinic plans to participate in a research study around early-onset Schizophrenia in which some prospective clients are assigned to a treatment protocol while others are put on a wait-list until the trial concludes. What should the social worker do FIRST:
A. Address the unethical nature of the study with her supervisor
B. Begin contacting prospective clients as instructed
C. Refer clients on the waitlist to other agencies who can provide treatment
D. Contact the state board about the ethical issue
A. Address the unethical nature of the study with her supervisor
A new client with a history of depression started taking Paxil a week ago. The client reports frustration and despair that she isn’t feeling better. The social worker should?
A. Tell the client to increase the dosage.
B. Refer the client to a new psychiatrist.
C. Encourage the client to try a new medication.
D. Inform client that Paxil can take 2-6 weeks to have impact.
D. Inform client that Paxil can take 2-6 weeks to have impact.
A social worker has referred a client to a therapy group for men with depression. The social worker speaks with the support group leader to determine if the group will be a good fit for the client. During the conversation the group leader asks for personal information about the client including if he has a history of hospitalizations or abuse in order to ensure that the client is a good fit for the group. In this situation, the social worker should proceed by FIRST:
A. Telling the group leader that the client needs to be consulted first before that information can be provided.
B. Releasing as much information as possible to ensure that the client is a good fit for the group.
C. Stating that information is not relevant as to whether the client will be a good fit or not.
D. Requesting information about the other clients in the group.
A. Telling the group leader that the client needs to be consulted first before that information can be provided.
A social work supervisor has their supervisee keep a written record of an interaction with a client that does not go into the client’s official record. The social worker and supervisor use this to examine the dynamics of a particular interaction for the purposes of learning and refining skills can best be defined as a:
A. Progress notes
B. Process Recording
C. Clinical Supervision
D. Clinical Documentation
B. Process Recording
A social worker has been meeting with a client on a weekly basis for a few months. During the most recent session, the client tells the social worker that he sexually assaulted a woman while walking home last night. In probing the client for further information, the client reports that he has no remorse and is going to do it again tonight. The social worker should:
A. Maintain confidentiality.
B. Report the intent based on jurisdictional law.
C. Begin to meet with the client twice a week to ensure his violent actions are not acted on.
B. Report the intent based on jurisdictional law.
A supervisor using a Human Relations management approach is interested in improving staff productivity. Which of the following actions will the supervisor MOST likely take?
A. Conduct a complete study of the most productive employee and use to create a standard protocol.
B. Meet with staff in small groups and explore their current needs and motives at work.
C. Implement a program of regular training and education around principles of productivity.
D. Provide staff with a document clearly stating expectations regarding productivity and tasks to help staff achieve this goal.
B. Meet with staff in small groups and explore their current needs and motives at work.
While doing an intake assessment with a 22-year-old woman, the client reports to the social worker that she recently has been feeling sad and anxious due to recent family problems. She also states that before coming to meet the social worker she took an entire bottle of Advil, saying that she wants to kill herself. The social worker is unable to get in touch with the client’s emergency contact. The social worker should FIRST:
A. Request for the client’s consent to call 911.
B. Finish the assessment and then call 911.
C. Call 911 immediately.
D. Bring the client to the nearest hospital.
C. Call 911 immediately.
A couple present with a history of conflict. They accuse each other of behaving like their respective parents. Which of the following interventions could the social worker use to help the couple understand the impact of their parents on their present situation?
A. Create an enactment of one of their arguments.
B. Construct a genogram of at least three of their generations.
C. Reframe their conflict as each attempting to control the other.
D. Interpret their conflict as an expression of abandonment anxiety.
B. Construct a genogram of at least three of their generations.
A client with a diagnosis of major depression meets with a social worker. The client reports that she has been in treatment many times before, but says, “my depression has never gotten any better.” While developing the treatment plan, the client agrees with the social worker’s suggested objectives saying, “I will do anything to make this go away.” Effective treatment planning would suggest that the social worker should:
A. Ensure the client’s understanding of the treatment process.
B. Help the client identify barriers to success in previous treatment attempts.
C. Suggest that the client set her own objectives.
D. Discuss evidenced-based treatment protocols for major depressive disorder.
B. Help the client identify barriers to success in previous treatment attempts.
A social worker in a nursing home is meeting with a new client, an 82-year-old woman. As part of the assessment, the social worker administers a mental status exam to get a baseline measure of the client’s cognitive functions. All of the following would be part of the mental status exam EXCEPT:
A. Orientation to day and time
B. Appearance
C. Ability to interpret a common proverb
D. Attachment history
D. Attachment history
A client is ready to terminate therapy. Which of the following questions would the social worker answer to determine the client’s readiness to terminate?
A. “Have the troublesome behaviors in the relationship been stabilized?”
B. “Have all the referrals been attempted, discussed, and eliminated?”
C. “Is the client able to use what has been learned in treatment?”
D. “Is the client willing to interpret self-generated behaviors?”
C. “Is the client able to use what has been learned in treatment?”
During a session with a client, a social worker learns that a family member recently disciplined her child with spanking that left red marks. The social worker MUST:
A. Contact the family directly to assess if abuse is occurring or not.
B. Disregard the information since the child is not the social worker’s client.
C. Make a suspected child abuse report.
C. Make a suspected child abuse report.
Two social workers have been facilitating a 10-week group for men with depression. During the fourth week, the supervising social worker attends the group and becomes concerned regarding the topic of discussion. The supervisor feels that the topic is irrelevant and a distraction for the group. The social worker supervisor should:
A. Address the concerns with the group leaders after the group.
B. Encourage group members to share their feelings regarding the discussion.
C. Redirect the group to a more beneficial and appropriate topic.
D. Address the concerns with the group members directly.
A. Address the concerns with the group leaders after the group.
A social worker has been treating a client who has a pattern of late payments for services. The social worker recently sent out three written requests for payments that are overdue, which the client has disregarded. At the next session, the social worker has decided to tell the client that they will need to begin termination due to the lack of payments. Before proceeding with termination, the social worker should FIRST:
A. Provide the client with a different date or time that is easier for her to attend.
B. Explore the unconscious meaning of the nonpayment with the client.
C. Provide the client with referrals to other treatment providers.
D. Ensure that the client understands the payment for service agreement.
D. Ensure that the client understands the payment for service agreement.
A social worker is in the process of creating a multidisciplinary team for a new mental health clinic. In order to facilitate collaboration between team members, the social worker should:
A. Reinforce the importance of including social work as a component.
B. Identify the population of clients that the team will serve.
C. Define each member’s contribution to the overall team.
D. Identify one member to act as the team leader.
C. Define each member’s contribution to the overall team.
A social worker in private practice is using a very structured treatment model that includes mindfulness activities and instructions to contact the social worker if clients have any thoughts of self harm. What model is the social worker using?
A. Dialectical Behavior Therapy
B. Psychodynamic therapy
C. Systems therapy
D. Interpersonal psychotherapy
A. Dialectical Behavior Therapy
A social worker has been seeing a client for several months. The client reports feeling depressed, overwhelmed, and hopeless about the future. The social worker should do all of the following EXCEPT:
A. collaborate with the client to develop goals for behavior change.
B. address client’s dysfunctional thinking patterns.
C. accept the client’s views of self and circumstances.
D. ask questions to identify client strengths and successes.
C. accept the client’s views of self and circumstances.
A 7-year-old child who was sexually abused by a family friend is being treated by a social worker. During one session, the client’s mother reports that his teacher contacted her to report that the child was found touching the genitals of another child on the playground. The mother reports that she is concerned by this behavior and unsure what to do. The social worker should explain that this behavior:
A. Will almost certainly decrease over time.
B. Probably means the child is still being abused.
C. Necessitates continued treatment.
D. Substantiates that the child was actually abused.
C. Necessitates continued treatment.
A social worker is performing an intake assessment with a client who is HIV positive. During the interview, the client admits that he does not inform sexual partners of his diagnosis, stating that he does not think it is their business. The social worker should FIRST:
A. Speak with the client’s partners regarding his HIV status.
B. Encourage the client to speak with his sexual partners regarding his HIV status.
C. Refer the client to a support group for HIV positive individuals.
D. Speak with the local public health authority to address the issue.
B. Encourage the client to speak with his sexual partners regarding his HIV status.
A social worker has been seeing a client for 3 months when she discovers that both she and the client volunteer for the same homeless organization. The client, who recently moved to the area from another state, asks if they can volunteer together at an upcoming event because she doesn’t know anyone in the area yet. The social worker should NEXT:
A. Refer the client to another social worker because of the dual relationship.
B. Help link the client to other volunteers for social support.
C. Deny the request.
D. Address the dual relationship with the client and set appropriate boundaries.
D. Address the dual relationship with the client and set appropriate boundaries.
A 9-year-old boy is brought to therapy by his parents. They were referred by his school because he is bullying other kids. The father states angrily, “I’m tired of dealing with his crap. His mom is too nice to him. I’m the only one who’s willing to lay down the law.” The mother appears frightened and does not make eye contact with you. The boy hits her on the arm. The father grabs him and says, “I’m the only one who can do that.” What should the social worker do FIRST?
A. File a child abuse report.
B. Ask Mom about her parenting style.
C. Interview each family member separately.
C. Interview each family member separately.
What action should a social worker take if an adult client reports having stolen a radio from a store?
A. Maintain the client’s confidentiality.
B. Notify the store manager of the incident.
C. Request that the client’s family monitor the client.
D. Report the client to a local law enforcement agency.
A. Maintain the client’s confidentiality.
A social worker has been treating a client for 6 months when the client states that she will be leaving town for a few months. The client asks if she can use email to keep in touch with the social worker while she is away. The social worker should FIRST:
A. Address the limits and risks of using email with the client.
B. Provide the client with a referral to a therapist in the area where the client will be living.
C. Discuss the option of doing weekly phone sessions while the client is away.
D. Discontinue therapy until the client is back.
A. Address the limits and risks of using email with the client.
A hospital social worker is working with a 35-year-old client who was involuntarily committed to the psychiatric unit due to the risk of self-harm. The client has a long-term history of anorexia nervosa and, as a result, is experiencing many medical complications. While meeting with the social worker, the client states that she does not want to be in the hospital, and has been refusing the hospital food. The client asks to be referred to a day treatment program. What should the social worker do FIRST?
A. Refer the client for a medication evaluation.
B. Remind the client that her hospitalization is not voluntary.
C. Support the client in her efforts to be discharged.
D. Point out the impact of the client’s behaviors on her overall health.
B. Remind the client that her hospitalization is not voluntary.
A couple in their 40’s, are self-referred and want to work on their marriage. The wife reports that they have been married 25 years and that things are just not the same anymore. The husband says that they hardly talk to each other and he misses the good relationship they once had. What interventions would a social worker consider if using Strategic Family Therapy?
A. Give directives, explore the role that past family relationships are playing in the present, model and educate about communication skills.
B. Do a genogram, utilize restraining and positioning strategies, comment on patterns of each person attempting to control the relationship.
C. Give directives, utilize restraining and positioning strategies, model and educate about communication skills.
D. Do a genogram, explore the impact of past family relationships on the present, model and educate about communication skills.
C. Give directives, utilize restraining and positioning strategies, model and educate about communication skills.
A young boy is raised in a home that presents a stereotyped schema about another social group. When the young man moves away to college, he suddenly finds himself surrounded by people from this group. Through experience and real interactions with members of this group, he realizes that his existing knowledge is completely wrong. This process is an example of:
A. Assimilation
B. Accommodation
C. Racism
B. Accommodation
A 13-old-boy is referred to therapy by his middle school counselor because he is disruptive in class and displays signs of oppositional defiance. His middle-aged mother attends the first session wearing a Muslim headscarf. The social worker is wearing a Jewish Star of David necklace. The mother notices the necklace and inquires whether the social worker is Jewish. What is the social worker’s BEST response?
A. Acknowledge the mother’s question and remind her that they are there for her son
B. Acknowledge the mother’s question and provide an honest answer
C. Acknowledge the mother’s question and explore its significance
C. Acknowledge the mother’s question and explore its significance
A social worker in a long-term care facility is meeting with a new resident who has recently started showing signs of dementia. The social worker administers the Mini Mental Status Exam as part of the intake and will repeat this measure on a weekly basis. The BEST reason for including this measure is to:
A. Ensure the client’s cognitive functioning does not decline
B. Document the effectiveness of treatment
C. Track changes in the client’s cognitive functioning over time
D. Justify the appropriate level of care.
C. Track changes in the client’s cognitive functioning over time
During an initial meeting, a 23-year-old female client complains of depression. The client reports a history of regular cocaine use, although she reports refraining from use for several days and a desire to maintain sobriety. The social worker should FIRST:
A. Refer client for a psychiatric evaluation.
B. Recommend the client attends NA groups in conjunction with individual therapy.
C. Explain to client that depression is a common withdrawal symptom.
D. Explore client’s level of motivation to change and maintain sobriety.
C. Explain to client that depression is a common withdrawal symptom.
A young mother’s children were put in foster care after neglect was reported by a neighbor. The child protection social worker has been meeting with the mother and together they developed a plan in order to help her regain custody of her children. The client reports that she is eager for her children to return home, however, she does not follow the plan that was created. The social worker should FIRST:
A. Develop smaller, more manageable tasks with the client.
B. Encourage the termination of parental rights.
C. Confront the client regarding her lack of progress.
D. Meet with the mother to explore her understanding of the tasks in relation to the goal of regaining custody of her children.
D. Meet with the mother to explore her understanding of the tasks in relation to the goal of regaining custody of her children.
Which of the following factors should be included in the assessment of a client from a culture that is different from the social workers?
A. Evaluation of socio-economic variables, determination of any culturally-related issues, and determination of level of acculturation.
B. Evaluation of socio-economic variables, consultation from traditional healers, assessment of religious beliefs.
C. Evaluation of mental status, determination of any culturally-related issues, assessment of religious beliefs.
D. Evaluation of mental status, determination of any culturally-related issues, and determination of level of acculturation
A. Evaluation of socio-economic variables, determination of any culturally-related issues, and determination of level of acculturation.
A social worker meets with a new client for an initial session and discovers that the client is going through a divorce with another client whom the social worker has been seeing for 6 months. Both clients are unaware that the other is seeing the social worker for therapy. After the initial session the social worker reviews the Code of Ethics but is still uncertain if it is ethical to provide therapy to both clients. The social worker should NEXT:
A. Address the conflict with both clients.
B. Provide the new client with a referral since a relationship is already established with the other client.
C. Terminate with both clients.
D. Schedule a consultation with a supervisor to address the ethical conflict.
D. Schedule a consultation with a supervisor to address the ethical conflict.
A social worker is developing a new program for high school aged kids with Autism Spectrum Disorder. After researching effective therapy models for this population, the social worker has determined that a social skills learning group would be the best approach. Which of the following steps should the social worker take NEXT?
A. Appoint group leaders who have experience working with this population.
B. Create a weekly curriculum for the group.
C. Develop a plan that measures the effectiveness of the group in teaching social skills.
D. Post flyers in local high schools to recruit interested kids.
C. Develop a plan that measures the effectiveness of the group in teaching social skills.
A social worker, who is active duty military, is assigned to be deployed. The social worker has not seen one of his clients in over a month and has been unable to reach the client to discuss the imminent deployment. What should the social worker do?
A. Leave a phone message for the client at their home
B. Terminate with the client
C. Send a letter by mail informing the client and provide referrals
D. Reach out to their emergency contact to communicate this information
C. Send a letter by mail informing the client and provide referrals
A couple brings their 16-year old son to a social worker for a first appointment. The mother is concerned that the son has been withdrawn recently and seems depressed. The father reports that he recently found homoerotic material on his son’s computer. The parents consent to the son’s treatment and leave, but the father rushes back and demands to know, “When will you be able to tell me if my son is gay?” The son, avoiding eye contact says, “I don’t want you to be here, you won’t understand me.” What would be the social worker’s BEST response?
A. Explain the limits of confidentiality to the son and parents.
B. Explain to the parents that confidentiality prohibits the social worker from sharing information.
C. Speak to the son privately and explain to him the limits of confidentiality.
D. Validate the son’s concerns about being understood.
A. Explain the limits of confidentiality to the son and parents.
A social worker is interviewing the 19-year-old single mother of a 5-year-old girl after receiving reports of alleged child abuse from a teacher. The social worker learns that the mother also has previous substantiated allegations of child abuse as well. The factor that carries the MOST weight in the assessment of abuse is:
A. The lack of involvement from the child’s father.
B. The previous substantiated report of child abuse.
C. The age of the child’s mother.
B. The previous substantiated report of child abuse.
A school social worker meets with a 15-year-old student who was sent to the social worker due to skipping classes and declining grades in the past two months. The social worker notes that the student has never had behavioral problems, and up until this point has been a good student. With this information, the social worker should FIRST:
A. Schedule a meeting with the child’s parents.
B. Refer the child to an individual therapist.
C. Assess the child for learning disabilities.
D. Meet with the student to explore the events leading up to these changes.
D. Meet with the student to explore the events leading up to these changes.
A 14-year-old student is referred to a social worker due to recent behavior changes at home and in school. In order to develop a therapeutic relationship with this client, the social worker should FIRST:
A. Validate the client’s feelings and address his recent behavior changes.
B. Explore precipitating events to the behavior changes.
C. Address confidentiality with the client.
D. Explore the client’s feelings regarding coming to therapy.
C. Address confidentiality with the client.
A 20-year-old woman has been seeing a social worker due to restrictive eating behaviors, significant weight loss, and compulsive exercise. The client has been unable to gain weight and lost her menstrual cycle six months ago. The client reports that these symptoms started after she was sexually assaulted near her apartment. She says that she is afraid to go out at night now, and finds it difficult to sleep because she “sees it happening over and over again in my head.” The MOST likely diagnosis is anorexia nervosa and:
A. Adjustment disorder
B. Nightmare disorder
C. Posttraumatic stress disorder
C. Posttraumatic stress disorder
While assessing a 71-year-old man recently admitted to the hospital following a stroke, the medical social worker notes that the client is confused and unable to answer simple questions. The wife states that he isn’t thinking clearly. The social worker should NEXT:
A. Complete a mental status exam.
B. Collect a psychosocial history from the wife.
C. Notify the medical team that he is not competent to make decisions.
D. Obtain a release from the patient to speak to the wife.
B. Collect a psychosocial history from the wife.
A social worker is meeting with the parents of a 7-year-old boy who was recently diagnosed with ADHD. The parents met with a psychiatrist who recommended medication and behavioral management therapy. The parents are resistant to medication. What should the therapist do first?
A. Refer them back to the psychiatrist.
B. Explore their concerns about medication.
C. Begin behavioral modification training.
B. Explore their concerns about medication.
A social worker is leading a life skills class for individuals with physical disabilities. During the class, the clients state their disappointment due to the lack of handicapped accessible train stations in the city they live in. The social worker should:
A. Assist the clients in finding alternative forms of transportation.
B. Encourage the clients to meet with a lawyer to address their concerns.
C. Encourage the clients to use the buses rather than the trains.
D. Encourage self-determination by empowering the clients to meet with local officials to address public transportation accessibility.
D. Encourage self-determination by empowering the clients to meet with local officials to address public transportation accessibility.
A social worker who is new to the field is meeting with a client for the first time to evaluate what services would be appropriate for her. The social worker thinks that the client may have obsessive compulsive disorder. What should the social worker do FIRST to locate appropriate services?
A. Provide the client with referrals to a mental health clinic.
B. Consult with colleagues who are knowledgeable about resources.
C. Research effective treatments for OCD.
D. Refer the client to a psychiatrist.
B. Consult with colleagues who are knowledgeable about resources.
A social worker reads about furniture that is for sale in the newspaper. The social worker responds to the ad and discovers that a former client owns the furniture. The former client tells the social worker that she can have the furniture for 75 percent off, stating that she appreciated the social worker’s previous help. The social worker’s BEST response is to:
A. Purchase the furniture at the reduced price.
B. Ask a third party to follow through with the purchase.
C. Allow the client to decide how much she wants to sell it for.
D. Purchase the furniture at the originally advertised price.
D. Purchase the furniture at the originally advertised price.
A 62-year-old client who is 3 weeks sober from alcohol reports difficulty performing sexually with his partner. The social worker should FIRST consider that sexual dysfunction:
A. Illustrates signs of relapse.
B. Can occur early on in recovery.
C. Is uncommon and requires medical attention.
D. Is the result of the client’s age.
B. Can occur early on in recovery.
Due to having limited family in the area, an elderly client lives alone and has been receiving home health services. The social worker is meeting with the client to evaluate him for possible dementia after a nursing aide expressed concerns. The nurse reported that the client has become disoriented, is unsteady while walking, and is having difficulty communicating. What should the social worker do FIRST?
A. Encourage the client to be moved into an assisted living home.
B. Increase the amount of care the client is receiving.
C. Encourage the client to relocate to an area closer to family who can assist her.
D. Have the client be evaluated by a physician.
D. Have the client be evaluated by a physician.
A social worker at a community mental health clinic is working with a client whose partner is physically abusive towards her. In speaking with the client, the social worker notices that she often makes excuses for her partner, stating that he is just stressed out about work. The social worker has complied with reporting requirements and despite encouraging the client to go to a shelter, the client refuses. What should be the social worker’s NEXT step?
A. Explore the client’s past relationships to address abusive patterns.
B. Explore positive coping mechanisms the client can use.
C. Encourage the client to attend couples therapy with her partner.
D. Develop a safety plan with the client.
D. Develop a safety plan with the client.
