MOCK 1 Flashcards
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
RATIONALE: Knowing what can be expected upon admission is necessary so that the client is aware of the services and resources that are offered in the agency (B).
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.
RATIONALE: The behavior of the physician and nurse illustrates discriminatory behaviors that occur on an institutional level, this case being in the hospital (C).
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?
RATIONALE: The systems approach is not only used with families but looks at the ways in which clients react to their environment. Thus, C is the best answer.
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.
RATIONALE: C. Since social workers are mandated reporters, a report must be made. By making the child abuse report with the teen, the social worker helps to encourage self-determination and gives the teen some control in the situation.
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
RATIONALE: D is the only step here that would help the social worker gain more clarity when trying to get ready for supervision. If the social worker takes notes after each session when the case is fresh in her mind, it may help her when she needs to present the information.
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
D. Practicing
RATIONALE: This question tests recall knowledge of Mahler’s psychosocial stages of human development. Both symbiosis (A) and practicing (D) occur early in development, before 18 months of age. Separation individuation (C) is a broad term for one of Mahler’s stages of development, and the stem is describing one of the sub-phases of separation individuation, specifically rapprochement (B).
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.
RATIONALE: Since the stem states that the client is competent and mentally alert, there is no reason for her wishes to not be respected. Thus, B is correct.
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.
RATIONALE: The FIRST action that should always be taken when a conflict occurs with a colleague is to address the conflict with the colleague (B). Once that has been done, other steps may be taken, including A, C, and D.
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
RATIONALE: The behavior described in the question is a typical manifestation of resistance (attempts made by the client to avoid moving forward in treatment) (B). This behavior does not typically signify a readiness to terminate as is suggested in A. There is no indication of C or D.
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
RATIONALE: Socioeconomic factors should be addressed first, since the recent job loss seems to be impacting their relationship significantly. Once that has been explored, the other options could be addressed.
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
RATIONALE: If change is going to occur, it’s important that the teens are involved in that dialogue so they have the chance to voice their opinion as well regarding the problem (D). A, B, and C may all be helpful but can only be done as a later step.
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.
RATIONALE: A is correct, because the social worker needs to understand why the client wants to leave the group before further steps can be taken. Once the social worker is aware of the reasons, then the client can be better helped. B and D may be helpful to explore at a later time. C would be done as a last resort.
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 enough 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.
RATIONALE: Meeting with a supervisor who specializes in eating disorders would be the most appropriate step to take for a social worker who is not knowledgeable in this area (C). A is not necessary. B may be helpful, but only after a supervisor has been consulted. D would also be helpful but would not take the place of meeting with a supervisor.
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 to organize a team that would be in charge of coming up with viable solutions.
D. Provide clients with free shuttle service.
RATIONALE: Developing a team to come up with viable solutions would be the best FIRST step to take, because it directly involves those who are in the agency (C). Once that has been done, other steps can be taken.
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 .
D. Teach the client relaxation techniques to help with muscle tension.
RATIONALE: Inquiring about the significance of the miscarriage is an important first step to understanding the client’s symptoms (C). A, B, and D may all be done later.
