Part 2 Flashcards
A lawyer obtains a court order instructing a SW to release case records from interviews w/ a client. The SW believes releasing the records wouldn’t be in the best interest of the client. The SW should:
A. Notify the supervisor of the request from the lawyer
B. Advise the client to give permission to provide the record
C. Remove the harmful information in the record and then release it
D. Refuse to relinquish the records to protect client confidentiality
A. Notify the supervisor of the request from the lawyer
Rationale: It is important that the supervisor is made aware of the legal request in order to provide direction to the SW. If releasing the records would not be in the client’s best interest, option B could cause undue harm to the client, which would be unethical. The SW may not have the legal right to remove any info or to refuse to relinquish the record. Discussing the request with the supervisor is necessary.
Which of the following characteristics BEST describes normal development in 2 year old child?
a. Developing friendships
b. Being toilet trained
c. Counting to 20
d. Being determined to do for one’s self
D.Being determined to do for one’s self
Rationale: According to psychosocial models of development, 2 year olds are going through a stage of establishing independence from parent, wanting to make decisions for themselves (D). They are not yet developing friendships, (A). Options B and C are things that are taught, not considered development.
When first interviewing a family, a SW will make the family comfortable by:
A. Explaining the purpose of the interview
B. Asking family members about themselves
C. Self-disclosing
D. Asking the family members to explain the purpose of the interview.
A. Explaining the purpose of the interview
Rationale: (A) is the best wat to reduce anxiety about what is going to take place. It clarifies the roles of the participants and starts the interview on a neutral basis. B is intrusive and would not ease the family’s possible discomfort. It would not be approachable for the SW to self-disclose at this point in the interview. It’s not the family’s role to explain the purpose of the interview.
Which aspect of a client’s behavior during an interview would BEST help the SW to assess the communication skills of the client?
A. Degree of openness with which the client discusses concerns
B. Ability of the client to remain focused during the interview
C. Number of times the client requests clarification
D. Congruence between verbal and nonverbal behaviors of the client.
B. Ability of the client to remain focused during the interview.
Rationale: Only B is about basic communication skills. A is emotional openness, while C is a cognitive process rather than a communication skill. D is about the assessment of the client’s current emotional state, not communication.
A woman sees a SW because she feels unable to fulfill her roles of mother and employee to her satisfaction. She is experiencing role: A. Ambiguity B. Conflict C. Discontinuity D. Reversal
B.Conflict
The demands of the two roles are in conflict with each other (B). Performing well in one role can be determined to the woman’s performance in the other role. In contrast, role ambiguity, option A, is a situation in which role expectations are not clear.
During a session, a chronically depressed client mentions that “sometimes life does not seem worth living.” At this point the MOST important task for the SW is to:
A. Obtain permission to notify the client’s family.
B. Determine if the client has the means to commit suicide
C. Clarify what the client meant by the statement
D. Assist the client to focus on personal strengths
C. Clarify what the client meant by the statement
Rationale: The client’s statement may be indicative of suicidal ideation and therefore should be explored. This would be the first step in completing a suicide risk assessment in this situation.
What is the MOST effective way a SW can communicate acceptance to a client?
A. Agree with the client’s perception of the problem
B. Prioritize the client’s presenting problem
C. Educate the client on possible solutions for the problem
D. Allow the client to fully explain the problem
D.Allow the client to fully explain the problem
Rationale: While option A,B,C are positive responses to a client, they represent control by the SW, not the client. D suggests client control of the conversation, indicating that the SW respects the information presented by the client.
An agency’s board of directors meets with the SW director to discuss the recommendation for a management position. The team is reluctant to recommend the most qualified applicant due to concerns that the applicant’s deafness will prevent effective performance in the position. What should the SW director do?
A. Support the management team’s position by offering the position to the 2nd strongest applicant
B. Explore necessary reasonable accommodations when offering the position to the applicant
C. Schedule a 2nd interview w/ the applicant to further assess skills & ability to perform in the position
D. Offer the position to the applicant on a probationary basis pending physician’s approval
B. Explore necessary reasonable accommodations when offering the position to the applicant
Rationale: A physical disability is not a barrier to employment unless in prevents the person from completing requirements of the job. Making reasonable accommodations for members of the workforce who have a disability is a legal requirement
A SW and a lawyer are serving on an interdisciplinary team to provide and coordinate domestic violence services in the community. The SW is obligated to obtain the consent of a client before releasing information. The lawyer is not required to obtain consent. This difference results in conflict between the SW and the lawyer. What should the SW do FIRST?
a. Acknowledge to the team that confidentiality requirements vary by profession
b. Seek modification of the team membership to exclude lawyers
c. Divide the work of the team into legal and nonlegal functions
d. Arrange training about differing professionals ethical obligations for team members
A. Acknowledge to the team that confidentiality requirements vary by profession
Rationale: (A) would provide information to the team members which may prevent conflict and enhance collaboration. B is exclusionary rather than collaborative. C does not resolve the potential ethical dilemma and doesn’t create a collaborative effort. There is not enough disagreement at this point to warrant (D).
A SW makes the notation in a client’s record: “Client speaks with a very heavy accent; difficult to understand.” The entry reflects the social worker’s: A. Stereotyping B. Multiculturalism C. Ethonocentrism D. Poor communication skills
C.Ethnocentrism
Rationale: Ethocentrism is the belief that one culture is superior to another, in this case a conviction that unaccented English in the appropriate method of communication. Stereotyping refers to an overgeneralization that is not reflected here. B in not reflected here, and D also has no basis in the stem, since the SW might have excellent communication skills in other situations where he or she is better able to understand the client.
According to attachment theory, what is the PRIMARY basis of a person’s internal model of relationship patterns? A. Present circumstances B. Ongoing positive appraisals C. Early childhood experience D. Perceptions of others behaviors
C.Early childhood experience
Rationale: C is correct according to attachment theory A person’s relationships are determined by their attachment to a caregiver in early childhood. The other options may be involved in the formation of relationships patterns but are not PRIMARY.
A SW in child protective services contacts a mother reported for neglect of her 7 year old son. The SW should FIRST gather information for decision-making by:
a. Observing household environment for safety risks
b. Interviewing the child and mother, separately and together
c. Reading the current report of the suspected neglect
d. Obtaining collateral data on the mother from neighbors
C. Reading the current report of suspected neglect
Rationale: The SW should begin with existing objective data (C), before proceeding with the investigation. Options A,B,D, are additional steps to take would not be FIRST.
To conform to the principles of informed consent, a SW must obtain written permission from the client to release information before:
a. Consulting with the social worker’s supervisor about the client
b. Discussing the client’s situation w/ a member of the client’s immediate family
c. Coding client identifying information in an agency’s computerized data system
d. Recording identifying information in a client record
B. Discussing the client’s situation with a member of the client’s immediate family
Rationale: The only option among those listed that requires written consent from the client is when discussion takes place with the client’s family members. The SW may want to make the client aware of the situations mentioned in options A,C,D, but written permission from the client is not required.
Which statement BEST describes the concept of privileged communication for social workers?
A. It provides legal grounds for confidentiality
B. It permits the social worker for discretion to share client information
C. It prevents client information from being shared at agency case conferences
D. It protects clients who report planning violent acts
A. It provides legal grounds for confidentiality
Rationale: This question requires recall of the definition of privileged communication. Privileged communication is the foundation of confidentiality and ensures clients that communication will be kept private except in cases of potential harm (A). C is incorrect because there are legal provisions allowing necessary intra-agency communication.
In the initial phase of the problem-solving process, the SW apply their knowledge and skill to help clients:
A. Negotiate their social environement
B. Understand how their past influenced their present situation
C. Explore and define a target problem
D. Plan to maintain gains
C.Explore and define a target population
Rationale: Of the options presented, C, is the correct response. The problem must be indentified before problem-solving efforts are initiated. The remaining options are seen in later stages of the problem-solving process.
A SW meets with a patient who has cancer and is being cared for by a relative. The relative who makes minimum wage, provides the sole financial support for the household. The patient complains about the relative doesn’t provide enough for the patient financially. What action would be the MOST appropriate for the SW to take?
A. Explain to the patient that options are limited
B. Determine if there is another caretaker available
C. Assist the patient accessing community resources
D. Refer the patient to a support group
C.Assist the patient with accessing community resources
Rationale: Exploration of community resources would be the first step to take with this client. There is not enough information in the stem to support any of the other options as correct answers.
In the initial phase of the problem-solving process, SW’s apply their knowledge and skill to help clients:
A. Negotiate their social environment
B. Understand how their past influenced their present situation
C. Explore and define a target problem
D. Plan to maintain gains
C.Explore and define a target problem
Rationale: Of the options presented, C, Is the correct response. The problem must be identified before problem-solving efforts are initiated. The remaining options are seen in later stages of the problem-solving process.
A SW working w/ a troubled 5th grader and the family learns that the student has been suspended from school for 2 weeks. The SW contacts the principal of the school to encourage an alternative punishment that would not further harm the student’s grades. In this situation, the SW is fulfilling the role of:
a. Mediator
b. Enabler
c. Advocate
d. Liaison
C.Advocate
Rationale: The act of contacting the principal is advocacy on the part of the SW. The SW is attempting to effect a change that would benefit the client.
Which SW skill BEST communicates acceptance to a client?
a. Demonstrating concern
b. Using normalizing statements
c. Using nonjudgemental statements
d. Conveying competence
C.Using nonjudgemental statements
Rationale: Use of nonjudgemental statements, C, conveys acceptance to the client by encouraging the client to speak openly without concern about the SW’s opinion. While options A & B are both generally supportive, they don’t communicate acceptance of the client and their unique situation. Acceptance does not involve option D, which is a different issue.
An agency’s board of directors meets with the SW director to discuss the recommendation for a management position. The team is reluctant to recommend the most qualified applicant due to concerns that the applicant’s deafness will prevent effective performance in the position. What should the SW director do?
A. Support the management team’s position by offering the position to the 2nd strongest applicant
B. Explore necessary reasonable accommodations when offering the position to the applicant
C. Schedule a 2nd interview w/ the applicant to further assess skills & ability to perform in the position
D. Offer the position to the applicant on a probationary basis pending physician’s approval
B. Explore necessary reasonable accommodations when offering the position to the applicant
B. Explore necessary reasonable accommodations when offering the position to the applicant
Rationale: A physical disability is not a barrier to employment unless in prevents the person from completing requirements of the job. Making reasonable accommodations for members of the workforce who have a disability is a legal requirement.
A SW and a lawyer are serving on an interdisciplinary team to provide and coordinate domestic violence services in the community. The SW is obligated to obtain the consent of a client before releasing information. The lawyer is not required to obtain consent. This difference results in conflict between the SW and the lawyer. What should the SW do FIRST?
a. Acknowledge to the team that confidentiality requirements vary by profession
b. Seek modification of the team membership to exclude lawyers
c. Divide the work of the team into legal and nonlegal functions
d. Arrange training about differing professionals ethical obligations for team members
A. Acknowledge to the team that confidentiality requirements vary by profession
Rationale: (A) would provide information to the team members which may prevent conflict and enhance collaboration. B is exclusionary rather than collaborative. C does not resolve the potential ethical dilemma and doesn’t create a collaborative effort. There is not enough disagreement at this point to warrant (D).
Which activity would BEST fulfill a SW’s ethical responsibility to promote the general welfare of society?
A. Advocating for change to social policy issues
B. Reporting suspected child abuse as mandated
C. Attending continuing education programs on ethics
D. Volunteering on agency boards
A. Advocating for changes to social policy issues
Rationale: Although options B,C, and D, are activities that can either directly or indirectly benefit clients, only A promotes the general welfare of society.
A 46 year old female client complains that for the past 6 months, she has lost pleasure in activities she had previously enjoyed. She is also having difficulty getting up in the morning and finds she is more irritable than usual. Her youngest child has recently left home and her husband is continuing to work long hours. The MOST appropriate focus for the initial intervention is:
A. Interviewing
B. Referring the client to a support group
C. Exploring the client’s losses
D. Referring the client for medication evaluation
C.Exploring the client’s losses
Rationale: The factors mentioned by the client represent losses that she has experienced and must be explored ( C). Options A,B, C, are actions the SW may take once the client’s situation is understood.
Which activity would BEST fulfill a SW’s ethical responsibility to promote the general welfare of society?
A. Advocating for changes to social policy issues
B. Reporting suspected child abuse as mandated
C. Attending continuing education programs on ethics
D. Volunteering on agency boards
A.Advocating for changes to social policy issues
Rationale: Although B,C,D are activities that can either directly or indirectly benefit claims, only A promotes the general welfare of society.