LCSW MOCK I Flashcards
A disturbance of one’s thinking in which ideas and thought patterns become vague, fragmented, and lack any logical sequences is called?
A. Magical thinking
B. Ideas of reference
C. Looseness of association
C. Looseness of association
A therapist at a family agency meets with a couple and their 16-year-old son who has been dealing with social and school performance difficulties. While the mother is discussing the difficulties that the teenager is having, the boy seems anxious and overwhelmed. What is the social worker’s MOST appropriate response in this situation?
A. Join with the boy by acknowledging the stressful situation and his bravery for coming.
B. Direct the focus away from the boy to make him more comfortable in session.
C. Assess when this behavior first began.
D. Empathize with the parents over the difficulty of their situation.
A. Join with the boy by acknowledging the stressful situation and his bravery for coming.
While meeting with the prospective adoptive parents of a 10-year-old girl, the social worker overhears the parents calling the child a “moron” and “dumb” for not understanding her homework. When the social worker asks the parents to not use these negative comments, the parents continue to do so, saying, “She knows we don’t really mean it.” The social worker should:
A. Refer the parents to a group for adoptive parents.
B. Educate the parents about the destructive impact of such language.
C. Contact Child Protective Services to report emotional abuse.
C. Contact Child Protective Services to report emotional abuse.
A social worker at a family agency meets with a single mother and her three children who live next to a mining site. A teacher referred the family because the children were consistently tired and missing school due to illness. The mother reports that she has no medical insurance and works two jobs to support her family but still struggles to get by. The social worker’s short-term goal should be to:
A. Find more appropriate living arrangements away from the mine.
B. Work with the Department of Health to ensure the safety of the clients.
C. Arrange for the family to be seen by a doctor.
C. Arrange for the family to be seen by a doctor.
A social worker has been meeting with a 45-year-old client for three months. During the most recent session, the client reports that she believes her husband has been cheating on her. She states that she has called him out on this many times, but each time he denies cheating on her. Upon further exploration, the social worker discovers that the woman has actually been cheating on her husband for the past year. What defense mechanism has the wife been using?
A. Denial
B. Rationalization
C. Projection
D. Sublimation
C. Projection
A mental health clinic has recently taken on several new cases. In determining caseload assignments for the social workers, the clinical director’s MOST important consideration should be the:
A. Social workers’ competence and training in relation to the cases.
B. Issue of whether the social worker is licensed or needs supervision.
C. Clients’ stated preferences.
A. Social workers’ competence and training in relation to the cases.
When using the psychosocial model, which of the following techniques is central to the casework process?
A. Interpretation of transference
B. Advice giving
C. Sustaining procedures
D. Encouragement of catharsis
C. Sustaining procedures
A social worker is meeting with a 25-year-old client who has a cognitive disability. During the session, the client discloses that, during a recent doctor’s visit, she was touched inappropriately by the nurse. The social worker discusses the incident further with the client to obtain more details. What should the social worker do NEXT?
A. Investigate the veracity of the accusation.
B. Suggest the client contact her attorney.
C. Contact the appropriate authorities.
D. Contact the nurse in question to understand what happened.
C. Contact the appropriate authorities.
What is the most effective treatment for Seasonal Affective Disorder?
A. Anti-depressant medication
B. Light therapy
C. Cognitive therapy
D. Solution-focused therapy
B. Light therapy
Which medication is MOST likely to be used in treating Schizophrenia?
A. Lithium
B. Zoloft
C. Clozaril
C. Clozaril
A social worker is struggling with a conflict regarding a current client that puts the social worker between two conflicting ethical choices. Upon further exploration, the social worker realizes that each ethical principle requires a different course of action. What is the BEST way for the social worker to resolve the dilemma?
A. Use a solution tree.
B. Determine the relative impact of each course of action.
C. Follow the course of action that least compromises the social worker’s values.
D. Choose the course of action that is most truthful.
B. Determine the relative impact of each course of action.
A social worker has been meeting with a client with an eating disorder for 3 months. During the most recent session, the client states that she is tired of her boyfriend always wanting to be with her to make sure she is eating. The therapist responds by saying, “It sounds like your boyfriend really cares about you.” Which of the following techniques is the social worker using?
A. Reframing
B. Interpretation
C. Collaboration
A. Reframing
While working on a crisis hotline, a social worker receives an anonymous call from someone who believes her friend’s substance use is leading her to unsafe choices. She is concerned for her friend’s life. During the call, the social worker realizes the friend in question is her client and that the client has never personally shared this information about substance use. The social worker should:
A. Collect as much information as possible about the client without revealing the nature of the relationship.
B. Terminate the call immediately to avoid a conflict of interest.
C. Use the information at the next session.
D. Suggest ways that the caller can engage the client directly regarding the concerns.
D. Suggest ways that the caller can engage the client directly regarding the concerns.
A nursing home social worker was informed by a nurse that one of the residents has not been participating in the activities offered by the facility. The client used to be an active participant in recreational activities but has more recently been complaining about trouble sleeping and feeling down. The client was previously diagnosed with bipolar disorder. The social worker should FIRST:
A. Suggest the client try yoga or meditation before bed.
B. Discuss a different choice of activity that might engage the client.
C. Determine if the client has been taking his medication.
D. Talk to the client’s doctor about changing the client’s medication.
C. Determine if the client has been taking his medication.
A social worker who was a victim of sexual abuse as a child meets with a 25-year-old client who also experienced childhood sexual abuse. The social worker is concerned about working effectively with this client due to her similar experience. The social worker should FIRST
A. Seek consultation.
B. Refer the client to someone who specializes in sexual abuse.
C. Contact Child Protective Services.
D. Monitor any countertransference during session.
A. Seek consultation.
A social worker meets with a 23-year-old girl who recently found out she is pregnant. The client reports that she is considering having an abortion but wants to weigh her options. The social worker is against abortion. The social worker’s BEST course of action is to:
A. Use the countertransference to inform the therapy.
B. Disclose the conflict of interest and let the client decide if she wishes to continue therapy.
C. Refer the client to a therapist whose values are more in line with the client’s.
D. Help the client without bias.
D. Help the client without bias.
A social worker is measuring the effectiveness of services offered to chronically mentally ill clients at a community clinic. When developing the informed consent for the effectiveness study, the social worker is concerned about the clients’ level of competency, which often varies on a daily basis. What should the social worker do?
A. Create a simplified version of the informed consent to ensure understanding.
B. Obtain consent only when assured of client’s ability to understand.
C. Verbal consent, not written, is sufficient in this situation.
B. Obtain consent only when assured of client’s ability to understand.
A social worker at a mental health clinic meets with a single mother who recently moved back in with her mom and stepdad after losing her job. She reports that her stepdad has been threatening to kick her out of the house if she does not contribute more to the household needs. The client says that she is afraid to be around him. What should the social worker do FIRST?
A. Discuss alternate housing possibilities to empower the client.
B. Encourage the client to call the police.
C. Ask the client why she is afraid.
D. Develop a safety plan and monitor the client’s safety.
C. Ask the client why she is afraid.
When assessing a client whose husband recently died, the social worker understands that the following is part of normal bereavement:
A. Rumination
B. Dissociation
C. Loss of appetite
D. Sublimation
C. Loss of appetite
A social worker is completing a psychosocial assessment with a 45-year-old woman. While asking about the client’s current stressors, the social worker learns that the client has been out of work for the past year and recently moved from another state with her husband so she has no social or family supports. The client also reports that she has been emotionally and physically abused by her spouse. The social worker should FIRST help the woman to:
A. Stay safe by developing a plan of action should the abuse escalate.
B. Collaborate on ways to manage the husband’s anger.
C. Process her sadness and sense of isolation.
D. Re-establish her sense of self-worth and independence by finding employment.
A. Stay safe by developing a plan of action should the abuse escalate.
A social worker has been meeting with a client who lost her husband a year ago. The client has had trouble maintaining her finances, since her husband was the one who took care of the bills when he was alive. The client is now two months behind in the payment of fees and has no ability to pay soon. Professional ethics allow the social worker to:
A. Suggest the client find a more appropriate therapist who can accommodate a lower fee.
B. Terminate therapy if it is clear that the client is not a danger to self or others.
C. Inform the client that she can come back to therapy once the bill is paid.
B. Terminate therapy if it is clear that the client is not a danger to self or others.
A 14-year-old girl discloses to a social worker that she has been in a physical relationship with another girl at school. The girl states that she does not want her parents to know about it because they will not understand due to their religious views. The social worker should FIRST:
A. Refer the girl to an LGBT youth group.
B. Explore her concerns regarding telling her parents.
C. Remind the girl that, because she is a minor engaged in sexual activity, the parents must be informed.
D. Suggest the parents come into session to tell them together.
B. Explore her concerns regarding telling her parents.
A couple meets with a social worker for marital problems centering on intimacy and parenting differences. During the assessment, the social worker notes that both individuals demonstrate a high degree of self-reflection and openness and are able to set realistic goals. In developing a treatment plan, the social worker should emphasize:
A. The couple’s conflict resolution skills.
B. Common characteristics of marital problems.
C. The differences in family histories of the two partners.
D. Building on the couple’s strengths and competencies.
D. Building on the couple’s strengths and competencies.
A 41-year-old mother of two reports that she is overwhelmed with her children and their constant fighting. During a session, she admits that she sometimes hits her children and locks them in their room without dinner. The client reports that she feels bad doing this and wants help controlling her temper. The social worker’s first responsibility is to:
A. Contact Child Protective Services (CPS).
B. Understand how severely she is hitting her children.
C. Work with the client on managing her overwhelming feelings to keep the children safe.
D. Discuss safe ways in which she can discipline her children without using force.
A. Contact Child Protective Services (CPS).
A lesbian client who is a cashier at a local grocery store reports that she has been receiving negative and discriminatory comments from another cashier. What is the best course of action for the social worker to take?
A. Work with the client on finding a more supportive work environment.
B. Suggest that the client determine the store’s sexual harassment policy by asking Human Resources (HR).
C. Encourage the client to meet with a lawyer to discuss her rights.
D. Refer the client to a civil rights advocacy organization.
B. Suggest that the client determine the store’s sexual harassment policy by asking Human Resources (HR).
A social worker meets with a 6-year-old boy whose mother reports that he is inattentive and often stares off in a trance-like state. The mother took the boy to the doctor who ruled out any medical conditions. While obtaining a family history from the mother, the social worker learns that the child recently witnessed the death of his father. The child’s behaviors MOST likely represent:
A. Signs that he may have Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
B. Behavior intended to empower his control of the environment.
C. Dissociation and a triggered response to certain stimulus.
D. Initial signs of depression evidenced by his difficulty concentrating.
C. Dissociation and a triggered response to certain stimulus.
Which of the following is NOT an example of assimilation?
A. A college student learns how to use a new computer.
B. A child who was previously afraid of dogs likes dogs after having a good interaction with one.
C. A chef learns a new recipe.
D. A piano player learns a new song.
B. A child who was previously afraid of dogs likes dogs after having a good interaction with one.
A community program is being created by a social worker to address substance abuse problems in youth. What should the social worker do FIRST to reach the greatest number of at-risk youth?
A. Develop a youth outpatient treatment program.
B. Establish an outreach group for delinquent youth.
C. Create a prevention program for a specific population.
D. Start a family therapy group for substance-using youth and their families.
C. Create a prevention program for a specific population.
The personality disorder in which the individual has no desire for close relationships, experiences a sense of apathy, and may have an internal fantasy world is:
A. Antisocial
B. Schizotypal
C. Schizoid
D. Avoidant
C. Schizoid
A social worker is meeting with a teenage client at a community mental health center. During the session, the client states that he feels like he is constantly getting into sticky situations with other kids at school. The social worker responds by saying, “When you said you feel like you are constantly getting into sticky situations, what did you mean?” In this case, the social worker is responding to the client through the use of:
A. Clarification
B. Socratic questioning
C. Congruence
A. Clarification
A social worker who has previously worked with families of incarcerated parents is contacted by a school counselor who is concerned about several students who have family members that are incarcerated. What is the social worker’s BEST response?
A. Offer to create a support group for the students.
B. Provide information about community programs for families of the incarcerated.
C. Offer to provide family therapy for the students and their non-incarcerated immediate family.
D. Provide psychoeducation for the school staff on the impact of incarcerated parents on children.
A. Offer to create a support group for the students.
A social worker is employed as a case manager at a mental health clinic. While meeting with a client, the social worker learns that the client is being evicted from public housing because her recently estranged husband was convicted as a sexual offender. What should the social worker do FIRST?
A. Suggest that the client file a complaint against the housing authority.
B. Provide the client with referrals to attorneys to help her complete the divorce process.
C. Help the client through the process of appealing the housing authority’s decision.
D. Identify alternative housing options with the client.
C. Help the client through the process of appealing the housing authority’s decision.
A client was recently hospitalized due to noncompliance with his medication. When the hospital social worker meets the client, the client reports that he does not want to take his medication because he believes God, not the medication, will help him. How should the social worker respond FIRST?
A. Use motivational interviewing to help the client see that managing his illness is beyond a spiritual issue.
B. Ask the client why God would not want the client to be compliant.
C. Discuss the health impacts of being noncompliant so the client can make an informed decision.
D. Ask the client to explain the role that religion plays in the client’s overall plan of care.
D. Ask the client to explain the role that religion plays in the client’s overall plan of care.
A social worker at an outpatient substance abuse treatment center wants to complete a program evaluation of the Intensive Outpatient Program. When setting up a program evaluation, which of the following tasks is the FIRST step?
A. Determining the goals and objectives
B. Exploring the available resources
C. Creating the methodology
D. Selecting the means to measure success
A. Determining the goals and objectives
According to Piaget, the term accommodation refers to when a person:
A. Allows another individual to make decisions for him or her.
B. Learns a new language.
C. Incorporates new information into his or her existing ideas.
D. Alters existing schemas based on new information.
D. Alters existing schemas based on new information.
Which of the following instruments is used to measure the intellectual capacity of a child?
A. MMPI
B. Beery VMI
C. TOWL-3
D. WISC-R
D. WISC-R
An adoption social worker meets with a same-sex couple who has lived together for fifteen years. The couple has expressed a desire to have children and would like the social worker to help them in adopting a child. What should the social worker do FIRST?
A. Suggest one person be the adoptive parent to ease the legal process.
B. Understand current laws on adoption.
C. Refer the couple to an attorney who will assist in the adoption process.
B. Understand current laws on adoption.
A hospital social worker meets with a 85-year-old woman whose husband is currently hospitalized due to early signs of dementia and heart problems. The husband’s physician has recommended that he be placed in a nursing home; however, the woman states that she wants to take care of her husband at home. While preparing a discharge plan, the hospital social worker should:
A. Explore home health care options with the wife.
B. Explore the wife’s resistance to following the physician’s recommendation.
C. Support the wife in her decision to take on her husband’s care alone.
D. Suggest that the wife discuss the nursing home option with her children.
A. Explore home health care options with the wife.
A social worker meets with a 45-year-old client who has a history of being violent for an intake assessment. During the intake assessment, the client states that his wife claims to have been visiting family for the past week but he believes she is lying to him. When probed further, he says that he thinks she is actually having an affair with someone. The client says that he plans on hurting her when she gets home so that she doesn’t do this again. What is the MOST appropriate action for the social worker to take?
A. Suggest the possibility of bringing the wife to session to explore the client’s concerns.
B. Determine the level of pathological paranoia in the client.
C. Inform the client that his threat must be reported to the authorities.
D. Discuss the reasons for his suspicions to help the client with reality testing.
C. Inform the client that his threat must be reported to the authorities.
A 7-year-old boy is referred to the school social worker by the boy’s teacher. The teacher reports that the student regularly is sent to school without a lunch, often falls asleep during class, and occasionally has bruises on his body. The student was previously doing well in school and did not present with any behavior problems. What should the school social worker do FIRST in this situation?
A. Contact Child Protective Services (CPS) to file a mandated report.
B. Observe the student in class to assess the reported issues.
C. Talk to the student.
D. Develop a course of action in collaboration with the student’s teacher.
C. Talk to the student.
A young mother meets with a social worker in a community agency for financial assistance. The client dropped out of high school to work at a bakery that closed six months ago, leaving the mother unemployed. Although she has been doing some temp work, the mother cannot find steady employment and is concerned that her family will be evicted and left without resources for food. The social worker should FIRST:
A. Determine if the children are being neglected.
B. Inquire as to the employability of the father.
C. Complete an eligibility assessment.
D. Enroll the mother in vocational training.
C. Complete an eligibility assessment.
When planning an intervention with a client, the social worker should FIRST assess the client’s:
A. Diagnosis
B. Emotional needs
C. Mental status
D. View of the problem
D. View of the problem
A social worker has been meeting with a client for five months and recently discovers that the client has been lying. The MOST helpful course of action for the social worker to take is to:
A. Analyze with the client the possible meaning of the lie.
B. Meet the client where he is and do not confront the lie.
C. Attempt to uncover the motivating factors for the client’s dishonesty.
C. Attempt to uncover the motivating factors for the client’s dishonesty.
A 39-year-old professional woman presents for treatment due to work stress and anger. She states that she is an exemplary employee and has received numerous commendations. After telling her supervisor that she will be adopting a child, she was passed over for a promotion. How should the social worker begin treatment?
A. Explore the client’s alternative career options.
B. Help the client to process her feelings regarding the loss.
C. Validate the client’s experience that this action feels discriminatory.
C. Validate the client’s experience that this action feels discriminatory.
A social worker is working with a family whose son was sexually abused by his father. In order for positive change to occur, the MOST important step within the family is the:
A. Son’s ability to work through his trauma to forgiveness.
B. Son’s ability to confront the father in a safe environment.
C. Father’s genuine acceptance of sole responsibility for the incest.
D. Mother’s acknowledgment of her part in allowing the incestuous relationship to exist.
C. Father’s genuine acceptance of sole responsibility for the incest.
When using the problem-solving process in social work practice, which of the following is involved in the planning phase?
A. Diagnosis of a client according to the DSM-5-TR
B. Thorough survey of the cause and the progress of the issue
C. Application of assessment tools together with a number of client interviews
D. Uncovering of the client’s objectives as well as possible solutions to the issue at hand
D. Uncovering of the client’s objectives as well as possible solutions to the issue at hand
A social worker has been providing individual therapy for a client who was sexually abused as a child and never developed strong relationships. As the relationship with the social worker begins to deepen, the client becomes more wary of the social worker, saying “I’m not sure I can trust you anymore.” What is this an example of?
A. Transference
B. Displacement
C. Rationalization
D. Regression
A. Transference
When is it appropriate for a social worker to share a client’s case record without the client’s permission?
A. When the social worker discusses the case with a colleague at different agency
B. When the social worker’s supervisor asks for the copies of case notes during supervision
C. When the client’s medical insurance company demands copies of the record for billing purposes
D. When the social worker is subpoenaed by the client’s lawyer
B. When the social worker’s supervisor asks for the copies of case notes during supervision
When a client deliberately produces or falsifies symptoms of illness for the sole purpose of assuming the sick role, it can BEST be defined as:
A. Factitious Disorder.
B. Delusional Disorder.
C. Malingering.
D. Conversion Disorder.
A. Factitious Disorder.
A social worker is conducting an intake interview with a 22-year-old college student who was sexually assaulted at a party a few months ago. The client reports that, since the assault, she has been having difficulty sleeping due to nightmares, she is isolating herself from friends, and she can’t focus during class. She tearfully states that she doesn’t know what to do and feels helpless. The MOST likely diagnosis for this client is:
A. Acute Stress Disorder
B. Major Depressive Disorder
C. Persistent Depressive Disorder
D. Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
D. Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
A school social worker has been getting frequent reports from teachers regarding a student who has been verbally intimidating towards other kids. The teachers also report that the student is often late to class or absent, lies about completing his homework, and is failing out of three of his classes. What should the social worker do FIRST to assess the situation?
A. Request that the teachers document the reasons for their alarm.
B. Bring up the concerns raised by the teachers individually with the student.
C. Refer the student to the nearby outpatient community clinic.
D. Invite the parents to come in and discuss the concerns raised by the teachers.
B. Bring up the concerns raised by the teachers individually with the student.
A 52-year-old man has been meeting with a social worker for six months due to a difficult divorce that the client has been experiencing. Recently, the social worker was contacted by the client’s spouse’s attorney, who is obtaining a subpoena to request records regarding the client and his work with the social worker. The social worker should:
A. Not release records until ordered to do so by the judge.
B. Allow the attorney to have access to all necessary records.
C. Ask the client for a written release of information.
A. Not release records until ordered to do so by the judge.
Which of the following factors is MOST important for the social worker and client to establish when clarifying expectations in the social worker/client relationship?
A. The respectful attitude that the client and the social worker have towards each other
B. The framework of the relationship, such as the location and schedule of the meetings
C. The degree to which the issues the client is bringing are impacting his/her functioning
D. Mutual roles and responsibilities
D. Mutual roles and responsibilities
When preparing to develop a 5-year strategic plan for a nonprofit social work agency, what should be the FIRST step in the process?
A. Reassess the agency’s mission and vision statements, making sure that they mirror the values that are most important to the agency.
B. Evaluate the impact of community environment, such as areas for growth, assets, prospects, and hazards.
C. Organize the Board of Directors’ meeting with the aim of identifying a long-term design of financial outflow.
D. Evaluate the agency’s internal environment, including the impact of employment and retention record.
A. Reassess the agency’s mission and vision statements, making sure that they mirror the values that are most important to the agency.
A 9-year-old girl is referred to the school social worker due to stealing other student’s food, poor hygiene, and falling asleep during class. What should the social worker assess for FIRST?
A. Sibling rivalry at home
B. Oppositional Defiant Disorder
C. Child Abuse
D. Marijuana Abuse
C. Child Abuse
A hospital social worker is part of a multidisciplinary team that includes medical doctors, nurses, and a psychiatrist. The FIRST task of a multidisciplinary team is to:
A. Identify the roles and responsibilities of each team member.
B. Deliberate, filter out, and commit to an overall objective.
C. Delineate ways in which duties will be carried out.
D. Discuss the methods of communication amongst the team members.
B. Deliberate, filter out, and commit to an overall objective.
A community problem was recently brought to the attention of a social worker. The social worker realizes that the general public and law makers have little awareness of this problem. What strategy can BEST facilitate the development of policies or programs to correct the problem?
A. Distributing a written petition in the community
B. Working with various forms of media communication
C. Employing the use of client satisfaction surveys
D. Empowering the main players via a training
B. Working with various forms of media communication
A school social worker has been meeting with a 16-year-old boy who has been experiencing academic difficulties at school. During the second meeting, the teen reports that he has been having difficulties concentrating in school due to an intimate relationship with another male classmate. The student states that he hasn’t told his parents he is gay and is afraid to do so. The teen’s parents have provided written authorization for the social worker to provide treatment to the student and recently submitted a request for a copy of his records. The social worker had made note in the record of the boy’s relationship with his classmate. What should the social worker do FIRST?
A. Obey all the applicable jurisdictional regulations.
B. Tell the parents that it is only possible to read selected sections of the record to them.
C. Give the parents full access to the records.
D. Submit carefully chosen portions of the record.
A. Obey all the applicable jurisdictional regulations.
A social worker at a community counseling center meets with a Latino client for an intake assessment. The social worker, who is Caucasian, notices that the client is very anxious, hostile, and defensive when asked questions. After some discussion, it becomes apparent that there may be cultural differences that are making it difficult for the social worker to establish rapport with the client. What should the social worker do?
A. Provide a referral to a Latino social worker.
B. Challenge the client’s preconceived notions about Caucasians.
C. Consider the client’s concerns and validate them.
C. Consider the client’s concerns and validate them.
Which of the following is NOT considered a symptom of Panic Disorder?
A. Fear of dying
B. Hopelessness
C. Feelings of unreality
D. A choking feeling
B. Hopelessness
A hospital social worker is part of a multidisciplinary team that is developing a discharge plan for a client. The social worker does not agree with the other team members regarding certain aspects of the client’s discharge plan. What should the social worker do?
A. Discuss the concerns he has and then go along with what the majority decides.
B. Give team members an appropriate explanation before leaving the team.
C. Talk over the team’s decision with the patient’s family.
D. Attempt to reach resolution by concentrating on common values and skills.
D. Attempt to reach resolution by concentrating on common values and skills.
A 45-year-old man meets with a social worker for an intake assessment and reports that he thinks he is depressed. During the interview, the client also reports difficulties sleeping, neckaches, backaches, headaches, and vomiting. The FIRST action the social worker should take in this situation is:
A. Refer the client to an MD.
B. Gather an in-depth social history from the client.
C. Assess for a substance abuse issue.
D. Collaborate with the client on creating reachable objectives.
A. Refer the client to an MD.
A social worker at a local prison is providing a treatment group for fathers who are substance abusers. The group is composed of 10 participants who are of various racial and ethnic backgrounds. After the second session, the social worker notices that very few of the inmates are willing to speak during the group. Which statement MOST likely explains the members’ reluctance to talk in the group?
A. It is often the case that prisoners carry an antagonistic view of people from the outside and such attitude can hinder disclosure.
B. Revealing information about oneself in the group goes against the values of the prison culture.
C. Friction amongst various ethnic populations hampers open interaction in a group setting.
B. Revealing information about oneself in the group goes against the values of the prison culture.
What type of validity is a measure of how well a particular test correlates with a previously validated measure?
A. Content
B. External
C. Concurrent
C. Concurrent
A social worker at an outpatient counseling center meets with a client for an intake assessment. The social worker determines that the client’s needs would best be met at a substance abuse rehabilitation center. What is the FIRST step the social worker should take in the referral process?
A. Help connect the client with someone who currently resides in the facility and organize a tour.
B. Let the client know what she can expect upon admission to the rehabilitation facility, specifically what services and resources are offered.
C. Make a written referral report that clearly indicates the services received by the client.
D. Arrange for a meeting with a social worker from the rehabilitation facility.
B. Let the client know what she can expect upon admission to the rehabilitation facility, specifically what services and resources are offered.
A Cherokee couple bring their 5-year-old son to a local hospital due to an ongoing illness. The family brought their son to a traditional Cherokee healer before bringing him to the hospital. When the family meets with the non-Cherokee physician and nurse, the family is criticized for initially seeking out “inappropriate medical care.” This behavior is BEST understood in what context?
A. Medical personnel is experiencing high level of stress.
B. The doctor is worried about the mental health of the parents.
C. Institutional discrimination
D. Medical personnel is alarmed about possible medical neglect.
C. Institutional discrimination
Which of the following MOST accurately describes the systems approach in social work?
A. Series of standards for family intervention
B. Method through which the client can change the client’s situation
C. A way of understanding the client’s issues
D. Relational structure amongst key players
C. A way of understanding the client’s issues
A social worker currently works in a group home for teenagers who have been in foster care. During a meeting with the social worker, a 15-year-old resident states that she doesn’t want to go on home visits anymore because, when she does, her uncle physically abuses her. The social worker’s FIRST response should be to:
A. Mandate for visits to take place only in the group home.
B. Confirm that the uncle is not going to be present at any future visits.
C. Make a child abuse report together with the teen.
D. Explore the legitimacy behind the resident’s accusations.
C. Make a child abuse report together with the teen.
A social worker was recently hired at a community counseling center. The social work supervisor notices that while the social worker is effective with clients, she has difficulty presenting case information during supervision. In order to enhance the social worker’s skills in this area, what is the FIRST thing that the supervisor should recommend?
A. Go over the work of other social workers.
B. Make sure that the social worker’s caseload is lighter and easier for the first three months.
C. Have the social worker present more cases in supervision.
D. Take notes after each session with clients in order to get ready for supervision.
D. Take notes after each session with clients in order to get ready for supervision.
A social worker is meeting with the parents of a 19-month-old girl. The mother states that she is frustrated because the daughter no longer wants to play by herself and is clinging to the mother, even during the activities she used to comfortably do by herself. The father notes that last time they left their daughter with her favorite babysitter, the child had a fit after the parents left and was still awake when they came home at 10:30p.m. The BEST way for the social worker to explain the toddler’s behavior to the parents is to describe it as?
A. Symbiosis phase
B. Rapprochement
C. Separation individuation
B. Rapprochement
An 85-year-old client has been living in a nursing home after her husband passed away and she was no longer able to care for herself. The client declines a medical procedure that has the potential to prolong her life. The client is mentally alert and competent and says that she is happy with the life she has lived. The client’s family meets with the social worker, saying that they want the social worker’s help to change their mother’s mind. The social worker should:
A. Determine whether the family’s decision is ethical and oppose it only if it is not.
B. Respect the client’s right to self-determination.
C. Make sure the client understands the consequences behind her choice.
D. Agree to let the family make the choice for the client.
B. Respect the client’s right to self-determination.
A social worker has noticed over the past few weeks that a co-worker has been drinking alcohol while on her break. Even though the co-worker does not appear intoxicated, she is often responsible for driving clients to various services throughout the day. What is the FIRST action the social worker should take?
A. Check in with the licensing board for further instruction.
B. Talk with the co-worker openly about the issue.
C. Make a written note regarding the co-worker’s drinking each time the social worker notices it.
D. Let the staff supervisor know of the social worker’s conduct.
B. Talk with the co-worker openly about the issue.
While working with a family, a social worker notices that the family members are continually talking over one another during the session and providing contradicting information. The BEST way the social worker can enhance the family’s ability to understand each other’s view is by requesting that they:
A. Concentrate on the most troubled family member.
B. Allow other family members to talk without interrupting them.
C. Find the weak spots in the reasoning of other family members.
D. Openly state how they understand the position of every family member.
D. Openly state how they understand the position of every family member.
During the change-oriented phase of therapy, a client becomes silent for long periods of time and seems to have nothing to say. Which of the following concepts best describes the client’s behavior?
A. Readiness for termination
B. Resistance
C. Need for control
D. Confusion
B. Resistance
A couple reports increased marital conflicts. The husband notes that his wife has become irritable, isolative, and lethargic since she was laid off from her job three months ago. The wife states she is tired of her husband’s constant nagging for her to be more helpful around the house. Both report a lack of physical and emotional intimacy but express a desire to resolve their problems. Which of the following areas should the social worker assess first to identify the degree to which current stressors are impacting the relationship?
A. The wife’s work history and her prognosis for re-employment
B. The couple’s styles of coping and their degree of effectiveness
C. The effect of socioeconomic factors on the couple’s problems
D. The effect of dysfunctional patterns in the couple’s communication
C. The effect of socioeconomic factors on the couple’s problems
A community social worker is meeting with a group of local citizens who are concerned about an increase in marijuana use among teens. During the initial meeting, the parents suggest that more youth should be involved in extracurricular activities that will keep them busy. They also want the local police department to be more involved with the youth. What should the social worker encourage the group to consider FIRST?
A. Putting teens on probation if they are caught with substance.
B. Inviting members of the police force to the next meeting so they can educate the public on policies and procedures.
C. Quantifying existing information on youth crime.
D. Having a dialogue between teens and concerned citizens in order to better understand the youth’s perspective.
D. Having a dialogue between teens and concerned citizens in order to better understand the youth’s perspective.
A social worker has been working with a client who recently joined a therapy group for individuals with depression. The group requires a two-month commitment, which the client agreed to. After the second session, the client tells the social worker that she isn’t going to attend the group anymore. What should the social worker do FIRST?
A. Identify the basis for client’s desire to leave.
B. Recap the groups rules, specifically the two-month commitment made by all members.
C. Discontinue all services.
D. Examine the reasons for the client’s inability to assimilate into the culture of the group.
A. Identify the basis for client’s desire to leave.
A social worker at a mental health clinic was recently assigned to work with a client who has severe Anorexia Nervosa. The social worker does not have experience working with this type of client and is not knowledgeable in the treatment of eating disorders to provide appropriate services. What should the social worker do in this situation?
A. Discontinue treatment until after the social worker obtains necessary training.
B. Employ the use of peer consultation and use their suggestions to guide treatment.
C. Employ the use of supervision with someone who specializes in treating eating disorders.
D. Determine the best evidence-based treatment method by reading published studies.
C. Employ the use of supervision with someone who specializes in treating eating disorders.
A community counseling center has noticed that a high number of clients either cancel or do not show up for their appointments. The agency conducts a client satisfaction survey, which reveals that clients find it difficult to make their appointments because the agency is not near any public transportation. To address the clients’ concern, the administrator should FIRST:
A. Check in with other agency administrators to help establish a plan of action.
B. Determine whether it might be necessary to modify existing programs.
C. Invite agency workers and clients to organize a team that would be in charge of coming up with viable solutions.
D. Provide clients with free shuttle service.
C. Invite agency workers and clients to organize a team that would be in charge of coming up with viable solutions.
A social worker is performing an intake assessment with a client who reports that her anxiety started 6 months earlier. The client reports difficulty concentrating, irritability, muscle tension, and constant worrying over little things. Upon further exploration, the social worker learns that the client had a miscarriage seven months ago. What should the social worker do FIRST?
A. Provide a referral for a grief and loss group.
B. Use the Beck Depression Inventory to identify whether the client is depressed.
C. Inquire about the significance of miscarriage to the client .
C. Inquire about the significance of miscarriage to the client .
A 15-year-old is referred by teachers to a school social worker. The teachers have reported that the teenager has become disengaged and unmotivated at school. The student is bright. However, he does not complete his homework assignments and finds it difficult to pay attention in class. His teachers have met with him individually to address his difficulties, but there have been no changes in his behaviors. What should the school social worker do NEXT?
A. Discuss the need for a thorough assessment by an educational psychologist.
B. Help the student come up with a self-regulatory behavioral program.
C. Discuss the possibility of modifying the student’s educational plan.
D. Connect the student with the tutoring center.
A. Discuss the need for a thorough assessment by an educational psychologist.
The BEST indication that a social worker’s interpretation is on target is when the client:
A. Angrily shouts at the social worker.
B. Deepens her examination of the topic.
C. Confronts the social worker.
D. Starts talking about something unrelated.
B. Deepens her examination of the topic.
During supervision, a social worker describes a particular client whom the social worker has been struggling with due to a lot of resistance from the client. The supervisor provides the social worker with a theoretical model that may help the social worker better understand the client. The supervisor is providing:
A. Mentoring
B. Analysis
C. Education
C. Education
While meeting with a Native American client, a social work supervisor at a community mental health center learns that he was referred to Alcoholics Anonymous by an agency case manager even though he does not have a substance abuse problem. When this is brought up with case managers, the supervisor learns that all Native American/First Nation clients are being referred to Alcoholics Anonymous or Al-Anon for services without appropriately assessing their need for those services. How can the supervisor effectively address this practice?
A. Mandate that from now on all referrals have to be made with supervisor’s consent.
B. Make sure the agency workers are aware of services and resources provided by Alcoholics Anonymous and Al-Anon.
C. Discuss disciplinary action against case managers for basing their treatment decisions on stereotypes.
D. Organize an all-staff educational seminar that addresses cultural competency.
D. Organize an all-staff educational seminar that addresses cultural competency.
Which social work ethical standard incorporates the ability of a social worker to keep personal feelings and needs separate from work relationships?
A. Respect
B. Integrity of the profession
C. Private conduct
D. Boundaries
D. Boundaries
