Social Work Flashcards
A social worker meets with a 75-year-old client whose spouse died 6 months ago. In the intake interview, the client reports losing weight, having very little energy, and having difficulty getting motived to do things. What should the social work do FIRST?
-Complete a suicide risk assessment
-Explore available family and community resources
-Suggest the client schedule an appointment with a doctor
-Refer the client to a local bereavement group
Complete a suicide risk assessment
A social working is working with a 6-year-old child who was sexually abused. The social worker has been using play therapy techniques for several sessions but the child is becoming aggressive and continues to exhibit disturbing behaviors such as bed-wetting and masturbation. The child’s foster parents feel the child is not making progress in therapy and have asked the foster care worker to assign a new social worker. What should the social worker do FIRST?
-Tell the foster care worker the child is making progress as quickly as possible
-Transfer the child to someone who specializes in child cognitive-behavioral therapy
-Encourage the child to talk freely about feelings and details of the abuse
-Educate the foster parents about the effects of the abuse
Educate the foster parents about the effects of the abuse
A social worker meets with a man who is of Japanese descent. The man is anxious because his spouse is pressuring him to move his mother into a skilled nursing facility. He prefers that she live with them. The social worker asks the man if he has siblings and what the birth order is. This information is important in understanding the man’s:
-Cultural perspective
-Support system
-Financial options
-Attachment style
Cultural perspective
A social worker who leads a therapy group begins an extended leave. What should they discuss with the group FIRST?
-Arrangements for continuity of the group
-The group’s progress to date
-Options for transferring to other groups
-Detailed reasons for leaving
Arrangements for continuity of the group
A resident is bedridden in a nursing care facility because of complications from surgery. The social worker is contacted after the resident deliberately twists an aide’s finger while receiving a bath. The resident reports being injured during the bath and asked the aide to stop the bath. What should the social worker do first?
-Have the resident transferred to another facility
-Provide ongoing staff training to deal with the diverse needs of residents
-Begin individual therapy to address the resident’s anger
-Meet with staff members to resolve differences
Meet with staff members to resolve differences
During the assessment process, a social worker leans that a client’s self-reporting is incomplete. What approach would MOST likely improve self-reporting?
-Guided imagery
-Role-playing
-Journaling
-Family input
Journaling helps the client document and remember info between sessions
A social worker is facilitating a new group for teenage fathers. The goal is to support and encourage them to become more engaged with their children. After reviewing the rules of the group and eliciting introductions, what should the social worker do NEXT?
-Ask each father to describe the circumstances of his child’s life
-Invite the fathers to discuss how they view their roles as parents
-Identify challenges to becoming more involved in their children’s lives
-Ask each father to express his expectations of the group experience
Ask each father to express his expectations of the group experience to help guide subsequent stages of group development
A 14-year-old client is referred to a family agency because of recent poor academic performance and behavioral changes (lack of attention, social withdrew). During the 2nd family session, the client angrily describes physical punishment from her father. The father says the punishment is necessary to prevent her from imitating the behaviors of her friends. What should the social worker do FIRST?
-Assist the parents in exploring alternative modes of discipline
-Inform the parents that their behavior requires a report of suspected abuse
-Attempt to determine the severity of the physical punishment
-Help the client understand her parent’s concerns
Attempt to determine the severity of the physical punishment
A social work director is revising the process of orienting new staff to the agency. The revised process includes a day of training. The training will include time to tour the agency and review agency polices and procedures. Which would be MOST effective to include?
-Time to meet with a board member
-Group discussion about treatment methods
-A session on clinical documentation requirements
-Presentation of the agency’s philosophy and values
Presentation of the agency’s philosophy and values establishes what is expected of all staff in accordance with the agency’s mission
A social worker is working with a client who has been told he must lose weight because his health is being affected. He reports his diets have not worked because he lacks the willpower to control his eating. He ends by saying how lonely he feels even with family and friends. He says that he feels like a big fat failure. What should the social work do FIRST?
-Encourage the client to set up a realistic exercise program
-Refer the client for a nutrition consultation
-Suggest the client join a self-help group
-Help the client explore the dynamics of the eating problem
Help the client explore the dynamics of the eating problem to understand the connection between his self-esteem and his eating problems
A social worker is working with a family whose adolescent son is acting out. During the assessment, the mother confides she was sexually abused as a child. She has never addressed her past abuse and is interested in treatment. What type of group would be most helpful to the mother at this time?
-A structured therapy group focusing on trauma issues
-An extended family therapy group to help the mother confront her abuser
-A mutual aid group for parents with adolescents
-A psychodynamic therapy group focusing on current relationships
A structured therapy group focusing on trauma issues because it targets the presenting problem
All of the following are components of a mental status examination EXCEPT:
-Level of reality testing
-Behavior during the interview
-Knowledge of general information
-Ego strengths
Ego strengths
An 18-year-old client is referred to a social worker because of relationship problems. At the first appointment, the social worker learns the client is deaf. The client is accompanied by a parent who knows ASL and offers to interpret the session. What should the social worker do NEXT?
-Allow the parent to interpret during the session
-Reschedule the appointment with a certified interpreter
-Refer the client to an appropriate social worker
-Communicate with the client in writing
Rescheduling the appointment with a certified interpreter is the most appropriate way to ensure an objective assessment process
A social worker meets with a new client who is going through a difficult divorce. The client is tearful, expresses feeling life will never be the same, and describes changes in eating and sleeping habits. The social worker plans to administer a depression inventory before, during, and after treatment. What is the social worker’s PRIMARY reason for repeatedly administering the inventory?
-To assess the need for a referral to a psychiatrist
-To document the effectiveness of the treatment
-To justify the client’s length of time in treatment
-To gauge the impact of the divorce on the client
To document the effectiveness of the treatment
A doctor is required to obtain written permission to perform an autopsy on a deceased patient. The doctor asks the social worker to obtain the family’s consent. The family refuses and is upset by the request. What should the social work do NEXT?
-Help the family deal with their reaction to the loss
-Ask if the family’s cultural beliefs prohibit the autopsy
-Affirm the family’s right to make the decision
-Explore how the social worker can provide help
Affirming the family’s right to make the decision validates the family’s self-determination
A social worker visits a client who is homebound. The client was referred by the community health nurse because of depression. The social worker finds the client minimally meeting basic needs, somewhat confused, and not able to provide much necessary information. As the social worker is leaving the apartment, the apartment manager approaches. What should the social worker do?
-Explain the concerns for the client
-Ask the manager if the client has family or friends
-Leave without discussing the client with the manager
-Give the manager a business card for the client’s family and friends
Leave without discussing the client with the manager to preserve client confidentiality
A client is housed temporarily in a domestic violence shelter with her children. The client is planning to return home where the perpetrator still lives. What should the social worker do FIRST?
-Accept the client’s decision to return home
-Encourage the client to end the relationship
-Explain the effects of domestic violence on children
-Report the client to CPS
Explain the effects of domestic violence on children to help the client understand the potential consequences on her decision
A social worker meets with a new client who has left her partner after several incidents of intimate partner violence. The client says that her partner has been dealing with anger issues and believes the partner is changing. She things they will be reconciling soon and is excited about it. She asks the social worker about the reconciling and the social worker has reservations about the client’s plan. What should the social worker do FIRST?
-Discuss what changes the client is observing in her partner
-Negotiate continued treatment prior to the reconciliation
-Begin treatment on the partner
-Explain the social worker’s reservations to the client
Discuss what changes the client is observing in her partner to help her understand the risks and benefits of the reconciliation
Upon beginning treatment with a new client, a social worker encourages the client to spend an extended period of time talking about past personal history and problems. During this time, the social worker asks some questions but is focused on listening to the client. What is the social workers MOST likely purpose for this?
-Gathering diagnostic information
-Assessing for communication style
-Developing a treatment plan
-Determining appropriateness for treatment
Gathering diagnostic information
A 45-year-old gay man meets with a social worker because of a long history of depression. The client says “in most areas of my life things are fine, but I have never had an emotional relationship that felt intimate.” He also reports being distanced from the gay community because he is not political and is “no different from being straight except sleeping with guys.” What should the social worker do FIRST?
-Conduct a comprehensive assessment
-Explore the client’s disconnection from the gay community
-Refer for medication evaluation
-Suggest the client consider joining a group for gay men
Conduct a comprehensive assessment to fully understand the context of the man’s life
A social worker meets with a client who describers growing discomfort with a partner she is dating. The client is concerned about the partner’s excessive jealousy. The partner insists on spending all their time together and needs to make all the decisions. What should the social worker do NEXT?
-Invite the client to bring the partner to sessions
-Explain this behavior is characteristic of abusers
-Help the client decide how she wants to respond to the partner
-Explore why the client has trouble being assertive
Help the client decide how she wants to respond to the partner to support the decision-making process
A social worker wants to summarize the finding of a complicated client case for the psychiatrist at her clinic. What method would be MOST effective for the social worker to use?
-Provide a thorough written assessment of the client’s presentation
-Use language that is descriptive and free from technical jargon
-Provide all the collateral information about the client’s problem
-Describe the client’s problem, coping skills, and treatment plan
Describing the client’s problem, coping skills, and treatment plan is a simple and straightforward way to summarize the case to the psychiatrist
A client who has HEP C is confined to a wheelchair in a nursing care facility. As the illness progresses, the client becomes depressed and angry. One day the client cuts herself and attempts to bleed on several staff members. The social worker is consulted on how to handle the situation. What should the social worker do FIRST?
-Refer the client for psych evaluation
-Encourage the staff to press charges
-Work with admin to have the client transferred
-Provide an in-service training for blood-borne pathogens
Refer the client for psych evaluation due to safety concern and change in mental status
A social worker meets with a couple who have different backgrounds. They disagree on how to discipline their child. One favors strict discipline and the other favors negotiation solutions. Each feels criticized by the other. what should the social worker do FIRST?
-Refer the couple to a parenting class
-Help them understand their different responses
-Couch them with making “I” statements
-Recommend a combined approach
Help them understand their different responses to understand each other’s perspectives
A social worker meets with two young boys and their mother. The mother reports the boys’ behavior problems began soon after a visit with their father, who lives with his girlfriend and infant daughter. The parents are involved in a bitter custody battle. During the initial interview, both boys tell the social work the father’s girlfriend has beaten them with a flyswatter, burned the older boy with a cigarette, and threatened to kill the young boy. What should the social worker do?
-Encourage the mother to discuss the allegations with the boy’s father
-Immediately report the allegations to the appropriate authorities
-Request the boy’s father report the allegations
-Assume the mother is coaching the boys to strengthen her custody case
Immediately report the allegations to the appropriate authorities
A social worker experiences feelings of grief working with a client who is terminally ill. The social worker is reminded of a favorite grandparent who died two years ago. The social worker recognizes the experience of countertransference but feels helpless to cope with it. What should the social worker do FIRST?
-Seek individual therapy
-Seek supervision or consultation
-Refer the case to a colleague
-Disclose the feelings to the client
Seek supervision or consultation
A 49-year-old woman seeks therapy, citing problems with her mother. The client reports her mother moved to a retirement community 7 years ago after the death of the father. The mother has adjusted well and made new friends. 6 months ago, the mother began dating and has decided to live with the man. The client says the mother is not thinking clearly, is betraying her father, and is very upset at the idea of her mother being sexually active. What should the social worker do FIRST?
-Focus on the client’s feeling about her mother’s changes in behavior
-Recommend the client’s mother have a psych eval
-Discuss other possible living arrangements for the mother
-Explore the client’s feelings about her deceased father
Focus on the client’s feeling about her mother’s changes in behavior to explore her feelings on what appear to be normal life events
A social worker meets with a 34-year-old client who is in recovery for cocaine addiction. The client has made progress and improved social functioning. Recently the client has been expressing self-pity and sorrow for what he lost over the years due to substance abuse. The social worker notices the client is increasingly depressed. What should the social worker do NEXT?
-Refer them to a 12 step program
-Complete a suicide risk assessment
-Explore recent changes in life situations
-Refer client for a medication evaluation
Complete a suicide risk assessment
A 14-year-old student is referred to the school social worker. The student was involved in an accident that left him paralyzed from the waist down. He recently returned to school after a long hospitalization. The student does not want to be at school and is struggling academically and social. What should the social worker do FIRST?
-Refer the student to a community grief support group
-Recommend home-schooling
-Evaluate the student for depression
-Arrange a meeting with the student and his teachers
Evaluate the student for depression
A 23-year-old client who is a recent immigrant is referred to a social worker by his brother. The client says his brother believes he has a chemical dependency problem. What should the social worker do FIRST?
-Refer the client to a social worker from the same country
-Ask the client to agree to a urine test
-Explore the circumstances that led to the immigration
-Engage the client in a discussion of his substance use history
Engage the client in a discussion of his substance use history to gather more information
A CPS social worker is working with a family who was referred because of child neglect. The parents have substance abuse and gambling problems. They frequently leave their children alone at night and fail to obtain routine medical care for them. The parents keep the 10 year old home from school to watch the younger children. After completing a psychosocial assessment, what should the SW do?
-Ensure the parents receive substance abuse treatment
-Assess the availability and cost of services
-Refer the children for day care services
-Help the family identify service needs
Help the family identify the service needs due to the severity of the family’s problems.
A, B, and C are individual components of an overall service plan that needs to be established FIRST
A SW meets with a client who complains about reliving a motorcycle accident that he witnessed 6 weeks earlier. Two people were killed in the accident. The client is having trouble sleeping and is experiencing recurring nightmares. What is the MOST likely diagnosis for the client?
-Adjustment disorder with anxiety
-Acute stress disorder
-Generalized anxiety disorder
-Posttraumatic stress disorder
Posttraumatic stress disorder
A SW is completing an assessment on a 36 year old client who reports multiple emotional problems. The client is married with 3 adolescent children. She reports that over the past few months she has been irritable with her children and spouse, has no energy, feels anxious, has difficulty concentrating, and is constantly sad. She tells the SW “I just don’t know what’s wrong with me”. What should the SW do FIRST?
-Assess the client’s current level of cognitive functioning
-Ask when the client had her last medical exam
-Focus on the use of drugs or alcohol as possible factors
-Identify and engage the client’s interpersonal support systems
Ask when the client had her last medical exam.
There is not enough info to assess the client’s cognitive functioning. C would make assumptions about substance use. D may occur later after medical causes have been ruled out
A client requests the SW accompany her to weekly church services. What should the SW do first?
-Accommodate the request
-Interpret the client’s dependency
-Consult their supervisor
-Clarify professional boundaries
Clarify personal boundaries
The SW asks a client for written permission to disclose confidential info to the SW’s clinical supervisor, who is not in the same agency. What is the MOST important thing the SW should tell the client?
-The risks involved
-The reasons for providing the info
-The rights of the client to refuse
-The impact on treatment if the info is not released
The rights of the client to refuse the release of information is most important to support client self-determination
A CPS SW meets with a single parent who recently left an abusive partner. The parent found a job cleaning houses but has to take her 3 year old son to work. The parent admits to spanking the son and reports depression. What should the SW do first?
-Refer the parent for med eval
-Help the parent arrange for day care services
-Enroll the parent in a single parent support group
-Require the parent to begin weekly therapy
Help the parent arrange for day care services to reduce stress
At the recommendation of the school counselor, the parent requests a SW assess her 10 year old son because of persistent fighting in school. The parent says the son is well disciplined in the home. What should the SW do NEXT?
-Obtain a release to talk with the school counselor
-Arrange to meet with the son
-Review school records on the son’s social adjustment
-Ask another family member about the son’s behavior
Obtain a release to talk with the school counselor.
Obtaining info from the school setting is necessary. A meeting with the son may be appropriate after the obtained info from the school
A SW is leading a task group whose goal is revising admission criteria for a day treatment program. The group consists of staff and case managers and nurses from agency programs service the same client population. The SW observes that when the case managers or nurses offer suggestions, the group either ignores or ridicules them. What should the SW do NEXT?
-Wait to see if case managers or nurses point out dynamics
-Praise suggestions made by case managers or nurses
-Share the observations of the behavior patterns exhibited
-Talk to the day treatment staff privately
Share the observations of the behavior patterns exhibited. The SW should immediately highlight the behavior.
Talking individually would not be as helpful
A SW meets with a client who is seriously distressed by a chronic physical illness. The client reports feeling overwhelmed by the effects of the illness and by the stress that it has placed on the immediate family. The client is unable to perform everyday tasks and is not sleeping or eating well. What should the SW do FIRST?
-Educate the client’s family about the effects of chronic illness
-Refer the client for med review
-Complete a suicide risk assessment
-Assure the client that depression is normal for people with illness
Complete a suicide risk assessment is the first step
A SW meets with a family. The parents requested help in dealing with their young child’s behavior. During a session, the child frequently interrupts to ask the parent if the family can leave. The parent ignore the interruptions. What is the BEST action for the SW to take?
-Ask the child to say why the family needs to leave
-Tell the child to wait for permission to speak
-Suggest that the parents respond to the child
-Ask the parents how the interruptions make them feel
Suggesting the parents respond to the child empowers the parents and assesses their response
A SW is contacted by a client who initially expresses a desire to become more assertive. However once therapy beings, the client in unable to carry out treatment tasks. The client indicates she is fearful of initiating change because her culture doesn’t approve of assertive women. What should the SW do FIRST?
-Support the client’s efforts to pursue her original goal
-Renegotiation the goal with the client
-Discuss the client’s perception of the cultural conflict
-Encourage the client to invite her family to the sessions
Discuss the client’s perception of the cultural conflict to address the client’s expressed reasons for the fearfulness and starts where the client is
A client tells his SW that he has difficulty understanding why he gets so angry when his supervisor criticizes his performance in any way. After exploring the issue, the SW relates the client’s reaction to this situation to the relentless criticism by his mother during his childhood. What type of intervention ns described by this example?
-Confrontation
-Defense analysis
-Clarification
-Interpretation
Interpretation
A SW meets with a parent who complains of the constant arguments at home between her adolescent child and her new spouse. The arguments focus on the child’s poor school performance and have increased in intensity since the spouse was laid off from work. What should the SW do FIRST?
-Recommend consulting the school SW
-Schedule a session with the entire family
-Assess the client for clinical depression
-Offer employment assistance for the spouse
Schedule a session for the entire family to deal with the presenting issues
During the initial session, a couple requests assistance with long -standing marital problems that have led the several separations in the past. Th SW also learns that one partner will begin an overseas assignment in 6 weeks. What is the SW’s BEST approach to treatment request?
-Recommend an intensive weekend marital enrichment workshop
-Focus on the issues that can be resolved in the short term
-Postpone therapy until the partner returns
-Ask the partner to request delay the assignment
Focus on the issues that can be resolved in the short term
A SW meets with a family after the mother has been diagnosed with terminal cancer. The family members are in crisis over this prognosis. What should the SW do NEXT?
-Recommend a family support group
-Help the family process the grief and loss issues
-Explore the family’s knowledge about the illness
-Refer the family to a hospice program
Help the family process the grief and loss issues before other discussion should occur
A SW treats a client who reports a desire to kill a former lover who recently ended their relationship. Upon further questioning, the client says that although this is a desire, it is not a strong one and the client has no definite plan. The client says “I probably won’t do anything.” The client contacts with the SW not to kill the former lover. What should the SW do NEXT?
-Notify law enforcement
-Contact the client’s former lover
-Monitor the client’s feelings at future sessions
-Consult with colleagues about the case
Monitor the client’s feeling at future sessions as threat may exist, but has not risen to the level of mandated reporting
A SW is consulting with a psychiatrist about referring a client for a medication eval. Why should the SW discuss the client’s desires and expectations with the psychiatrist?
-To help determine the client’s current mental status
-To assist the psychiatrist in selecting possible medications
-To ensure the client’s self-determination
-To ensure that the treatment goals are consistent
To ensure the client’s self-determination
A SW has been providing treatment to a family having difficulty adjusting to a grandparent who moved in with them. The grandparent has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. In a family session, the family reports to the SW that the grandparent still drives and recently knocked over the mailbox while entering the driveway. What should the SW do FIRST?
-Inform the family of their liability if an accident occurs
-Involve the family and grandparent in a discussion of driving concerns
-Educate the family about legal procedures for determining competency
-Help the family plan to get the car keys away from them
Involve the family and grandparent in a discussions of driving concerns. The rest could be steps depending on how the discussion goes
A SW in an agency routinely meets with 8 or more clients each day. The SW is having difficulty completing the required documentation. What should the SW do?
-Discuss the problem with the agency’s supervisor
-Shorten session time
-Complete documentation at home after work
-Incorporate documentation into the sessions
Discuss the problem with agency’s supervisor
A couple with a new baby is referred to a SW. One parent reports feeling constantly tired from going to work, cooking, cleaning, running the household, and caring for the baby. The other parent feels neglected and complains the baby is always crying. The couple MOST likely are:
-Having difficulty with the new life cycle stage
-Struggling with serious family of origin issues
-Demonstrating the need for in-home support services
-Putting their baby in danger
Having difficulty with the new life cycle stage.
There is nothing to indicate issues with family of origin or safety. No need demonstrated for in-home services
A client meets with the SW for help with depression. Recently, the client admitted to the problems with drinking. The client is resistant to talking about abstinence from alcohol. What should the SW do NEXT?
-Us a 12 step approach
-Refer the client to an alcohol treatment program
-Confront the client’s denial
-Assess the client’s stage of change
Assess the client’s stage of change. Given the circumstances, the SW should begin by carefully assessing which stage the client is in
A SW supports a client’s readiness for change by:
-Suggesting solutions that have worked with other client
-Reviewing the client’s previous successes
-Exploring the client’s barriers to change
-Developing the change plan with the client
Developing the change plan with the client
During a family therapy session, the SW describers the adolescent sons as “two speeding locomotives on the same track, heading directly toward one another at breakneck speeds”. This form of communication is BEST characterized as:
-Symbolism
-Imagery
-Paradox
-Metaphor
Metaphor
A 6 year old child lives with a foster family. His father is in prison and mother is in residential treatment for alcoholism. The child is small for his age, often has temper outbursts, and has difficulty completing schoolwork. The SW notes that his speech is immature. What should the SW do FIRST?
-Refer the child for assessment for fetal alcohol syndrome
-Work with the foster parents on a behavior modification plan
-Suggest the child’s teacher refer him for special education
-Work for reunification with the child’s mother
Refer the child for assessment for fetal alcohol syndrome. B and C might be done after the diagnosis is determined
A SW is assessing a hospital patient for discharge and community care. When should treatment planning begin?
-When the patient is ready to be discharged
-On the first day of hospitalization
-After consulting with the physician
-When the patient requests the service of care planning
On the first day of hospitalization
A SW in private practice is temporarily moving to another city. Following consideration of the risks and benefits that may be experienced by each client, the SW offers to continue the therapeutic relationship with several clients through email. This suggestion is MOST appropriate for client’s who.
-Have completed their treatment
-Would be harmed by early termination
-Are able to cope with day-to-day issues
-Are dealing with ongoing crises
Are able to cope with day-to-day issues.
A hospital SW is helping a patient who has terminal illness develop an end of line plan. What must the plan include?
-The patient’s wishes for burial
-A recommendation for palliative care
-The patient’s wishes regarding lifesaving measures
-A recommendation for transfer to hospice
The patient’s wishes regarding lifesaving measures
A group of SW colleagues meets on a regular basis to discuss cases with each other. What term BEST describes this activity?
-Case presentation
-Peer consultation
-Interdisciplinary collaboration
-Multidisciplinary collaboration
Peer consultation
An adult client diagnosed with schizophrenia has never lived independently and is currently living in a group home. The client is improving with treatment and takes part in a supported employment program. The client feels ready to live independently. What should the SW do FIRST?
-Help the client find appropriate housing
-Tell the client that moving could pose a serious risk
-Making arrangements for the client to have a legal guardian
-Work with the client to identify needed resources
Work with the client to identify needed resources
A SW is evaluating a 46 year old woman who is distressed by her husband’s inability to sustain an erection. She reports that her husband has insulin-dependent diabetes. She says the DR has explained the diabetes causes the problem but she believes her husband doesn’t love her anymore. What is the SW’s MOST appropriate action?
-Offer individual therapy for the woman
-Give the woman literature on the side effects of diabetes
-Suggest the husband seek 2nd medical opinion
-Offer conjoint sessions to the woman and husband
Offer conjoint sessions to the woman and husband. The feeling of both need to be explored considering the changes of the relationship.
A SW asks a client to sign a consent treatment form. The client signs the form but seems uncomfortable with the decision. What should the SW do FIRST?
-Explain the language is clear and understandable
-Provide a document that meets the defined legal requirements
-Explain the client has the right to withdraw consent after it is given
-Provide the client with a copy of the consent form
Explain the client has the right to withdraw consent after it is given
A SW meets with a new client who is 75 years old. The client was referred by a neighbor after the deaths of his spouse and two long-term friends. In the initial interview, the client said he was experiencing difficulties with memory loss and confusion, physical problems, sadness, loneliness, and sense of uselessness. The client also noted the pain of losing a spouse. What should the SW do FIRST?
-Refer the client for a med eval
-Explore the nature of marriage and family before the loss
-Assess the client for depression and suicide risk
-Encourage the client to becoming involved in a local community center
Assess the client for depression and suicide risk
A parent bring a 4 year old child to a family services agency because the child is having fantasies of being chased by a giant and tiger and has nightmares of running in terror. What should the SW do FIRST?
-Ask the child to describe the fantasies
-Do a comprehensive biopsychosocial assessment
-Refer the child for play therapy
-Tell the parent the child is developing normally
Do a comprehensive biopsychosocial assessment. Asking descriptions and referrals for play therapy may be appropriate at a later time
An adult client with an intellectual disability has been living with a parent. The parent requires hospitalization. Using a resilience framework, what should the SW do to BEST prepare the client for transition to respite care?
-Identify the duration of the parent’s hospitalization
-Discuss respite care options with the client
-Arrange for an in-home respite worker
-Prepare the client for the parent’s role change from caregiver to patient
Discuss the respite care options with the client
A SW meets with the parents of a 13 year old client who has a moderate intellectual disability. The parents report the client has been smoking marijuana given to him by an adult neighbor. What should the SW do FIRST?
-Suggest the parents provide closer supervision
-Explain to the parents that a report must be made to the proper authorities
-Encourage the parents to confront the neighbor
-Recommend the parents consider a residential placement for the client
Explain to the parents that a report must be made to the proper authorities
A client who meets with a SW describes numerous problems, including an unhappy marriage, frequent verbal abuse, severe physical illnesses, mounting financial pressures, and a chaotic family situation. She tearfully says that she fears losing all control over her teenage children. What should the SW do FIRST?
-Address the issues of the abuse
-Refer the client for a med eval
-Help the client to prioritize her concerns
-Offer the client family therapy
Help the client prioritize her concerns.
The client is presenting multiple psychosocial stressors. The SW must first sort out and prioritize issues
A SW wants to increase understanding of her client’s cultural backgrounds. To gain this understanding, what should the SW do FIRST?
-Talk with SWs of other cultures
-Take a course in applied diversity
-Develop a strong awareness of her own culture
-Make friends with individuals from diverse groups
Develop a strong awareness of her own culture
What should the SW do when using evidence-based practice methods in developing a treatment plan?
-Base the client’s treatment plan on a theoretical plan
-Use treatments that have bene successful for others with the client’s diagnosis
-Consider client preferences and values when arriving at a treatment plan
-Consult practice textbooks to find an applicable therapy model
Use treatments that have been successful for others with the client’s diagnosis
In a treatment session, a client diagnosed with social anxiety disorder discusses having joined a new community group whose members are picketing to protest the local library’s current policy for book purchases. The SW personally agrees with the library’s current policy. What should the SW do?
-Explain why the policy should stay as it is
-Explore other ways to advocate for policy changes
-Advise the library staff about the new group
-Discuss the pros and cons of joining the group
Discuss the pros and cons of joining the group
A client meets with a SW and discloses sexual feeling for a co-worker of the same gender. The client is uncomfortable with the attractions. What should the SW do?
-Assist the client in exploring the feelings
-Invite the co-worker to a session
-Interview the client about sexual history
-Assess the client’s understanding of sexual orientation
Assist the client in exploring the feeling
An adult client meets with a SW for an intake at a clinic. The client requests meds to help manage anxiety and chronic pain. The SW learns that the client is already taking narcotics and antianxiety meds prescribed by several DRs. What should the SW do NEXT?
-Explain the client cannot get meds from the clinic
-Request further health info from the client
-Ask the client to provide written permission to contact the prescribing physicians
-Inform all the pharmacies in the are about the client’s multiple prescriptions
Ask the client to provide written permission to contact the prescribing physicians.
Requesting additional info is too general and doesn’t provide enough info about the med issue
An inpatient SW meets with a client referred by an outpatient therapist due to suicide risk. The client tells the SW about a rape that has not been disclosed to the outpatient therapist. What should the SW do FIRST?
-Complete the admission for inpatient services
-Contact the outpatient therapist
-Refer the client for med eval
-Refer the client for psych testing
Complete the admission for inpatient services
In an initial interview, a client reveals the she recently stopped treatment with two other therapists in the community. What should the SW do FIRST?
-Make the client feel comfortable since she has already rejected other therapists
-Explore the client’s reasons for termination from the other therapists
-Discuss the goals and objectives from other therapists
-Defer questions about previous therapy until later
Explore the client’s reasons for termination from the other therapists
A SW interviews a couple who want to engage in marital therapy. One spouse discusses the lack of communication and intimacy. After discussing the presenting problem, what part of the history should the SW review NEXT?
-Psychiatric
-Relationship
-Medical
-Sexual
Relationship
A 19 year old college student meets with the student health SW. The student says she is experiencing anxiety over making a career choice and deciding whether to stay with her partner. What should the SW do to BEST support the student?
-Focus on the student’s innate problem-solving abilities
-Encourage the student to enroll in a career class
-Provide conjoint therapy for the student and her partner
-Help the student to prioritize her life goals
Focus on the student’s innate problem-solving abilities.
This addresses the student’s strengths perspective by focusing on the abilities to solve her own problems
A couple meet with a SW for the first time and are worried their relationship is no fun. The say they have no time alone and are caught up in day to day worries and do not enjoy being together. To use a problem-solving, short-term approach, what should the SW suggest?
-Listing activities each would enjoy as a couple
-Having no fun together until the next session
-Planning an event out together
-Exploring the couple’s family of origin issues
Listing activities each would enjoy as a couple
After a lifetime in one house, a 78 year man moves into assisted living. Before the move, he was outgoing but is now reclusive and refuses to attend meals or activities. What should the SW at the assisted living facility do FIRST?
-Allow the man time for grieving
-Insist the man eat meals with others
-Find another facility to transfer the man to
-Request a psych eval
Allow the man time for grieving.
Adjusting can be a major move and the man should be permitted time to move through the process
In a group therapy session, one client is verbally abusive to another member. When the SW reminds the client about the rules against verbal or physical abuse, the client continues shouting. What should the SW do?
-Allow the group to handle the situation
-Meet with the client for individual session
-Pair the client with a group member as a coach?
-Remove the client from the session
Remove the client from the session
A SW meets with a couple and their 4 year old child. The child speaks slowly and uses few words. What should the SW suggest to the parents?
-The child is within normal developmental limits
-The child should be provided with increased social activities
-The child likely has a speech impediment
-The child needs to be screened for delays
The child needs to be screened for delays
A SW is working with a lesbian couple. One partner is applying for public assistance and has difficulty securing coverage. The SW has reason to believe discrimination based on sexual orientation is slowing down the process. What should the SW do?
-Explore the partner’s reasons for seeking public assistance
-Recommend the couple file a lawsuit for discrimination
-Discuss the sources of financial assistance with the couple
-Advocate for the partner with the appropriate agency personnel
Advocate for the partner with the appropriate agency personnel
Compared to women diagnosed with borderline personality disorder, men diagnosed with the same disorder generally:
-Experience less emotional distress
-Receive the diagnosis later in life
-Exhibit different patterns of impulse-related disorders
-Have a much greater level of overall impairment
Exhibit different patterns of impulse-related disorders
A SW meets with a couple who have difficulty expressing feelings. During one session, the couple begin to argue about finances. One partner yells and the other cries. What should the SW focus on FIRST?
-The use of anger control
-The use of crying as manipulation
-Beliefs about each partner’s role
-Poor communication skills
Poor communication skills
A client tells a SW that her 17 year old son has been diagnosed with ADHD and has been prescribed Adderall by a psychiatrist. The psychiatrist has prescribed several other medications in the past. The client says she’s lost trust in the doctor because the meds have not worked. What should the SW do?
-Suggest the client consult the psychiatrist
-Recommend a new psychiatrist
-Provide written info about the meds
-Request the client bring the son to the next appointment
Suggest the client consult the psychiatrist
What is the PRIMARY reason for a SW to document treatment sessions?
-To evaluate the effectiveness of each treatment modality
-As a way to provide documentation for reimbursement
-As a measure of progress toward goals
-To establish a plan for termination
As a measurement of progress toward goals
A SW has an initial session with a 39 year old client who, after entering the office, starts to cry uncontrollably. The BEST response by the SW would be to say:
-It’s OK to cry; crying is a good way to let go of hurt feelings
-Are you all right?
-Could you share with me what you’re experiencing at this moment?
-Would you like to reschedule?
Could you share with me what you’re experiencing at this moment
A SW makes a home visit with an 80 year old client. When a SW asks the client about the meds on her kitchen counter, the client says she does not know what they are for and sometimes forgets to take them. She reports it is overwhelming to deal with everything since her spouse died. What should the SW do FIRST?
-Ask about available family support
-Refer the client for community services
-Explore the client’s interest in an assisted living facilty
-Discard the outdated meds
Ask about available family support
A school SW meets with a student after school with social anxiety. The student has always done well in school but now is failing a class due to unexcused absences. The student avoids the class because it is large and crowded. The students asks the SW to provide an excuse for class. What should the SW do?
-Help the student accept the failing grade
-Write a note to the teacher excusing the absences
-Meet with the student and the teacher to discuss the situation
-Schedule a meeting with the student and family
Meet with the student and teacher to discuss the situation.
A meeting with the family does not address the social anxiety in the classroom
A 2nd grade teacher consults the school SW about a student who has had chemo and lost a lot of hair. The student seems sad, is doing poorly in schoolwork, and is not participating in activities. What should the SW do FIRST?
-Contact the parents to gain more info
-Help the teacher understand the effects of chemo on mood and energy
-Refer the child to a children’s cancer support group
-Explore the student’s feelings about what it means to have cancer
Contact the parents to gain more info
A SW opposes a law that requires recipients of a government financial assistance to submit to a drug test. What ethical responsibility is the SW demonstrating?
-Upholding the SW profession
-Educating clients about their rights
-Supporting self-determination
-Promoting social justice
Promoting social justice
A client in brief, solution-focused therapy with a SW is now nearing the end of the time period agreed to in the treatment plan. The client has not worked on any of the issues for which he requested treatment but instead has spent each session dealing with a crisis that developed after the previous session. What should the SW do?
-Rewrite the treatment plan to include the goals worked on
-Discuss termination with the client
-Reevaluate the client’s original treatment plan
-Consult with the supervisor about the client’s resistance
Reevaluate the client’s original treatment goals
A client is being treated for severe depression. The client tells the SW about her partner’s decision to end their relationship. The client expresses shock and grief about the breakup and says she thought this relationship would be a lasting one. After acknowledging the client’s feelings, what should the SW do NEXT?
-Assess the client’s risk for suicide
-Explore the client’s understanding of why the relationship ended
-Identify family and friends who can provide emotional support
-Encourage the client’s use of self-care strategies
Assess the client’s risk for suicide
A SW conducts a support group for adults who are caregivers for their parents. During one meeting, a member describes how she behaves toward her parent when she’s frustrated. The SW becomes concerned the behavior may constitute abuse. What should the SW do?
-Encourage the member to provide more info to the group
-Explain to the group such behavior is understandable
-Engage the other members in a discussion of what is acceptable behavior
-Meet with the member individually after the group to review the situation
Meet with the member individually after the group to review the situation
After suffering a heart attack, an 89 year old client lives alone and is scheduled to be discharged from the hospital. The client is still weak and has difficulty with daily living skills. The client wants to return home. The hospital SW is concerned. What should the SW do?
-Discuss the possibility of assisted living
-Develop a safety plan with the client to support independence
-Arrange for the client’s placement in an extended care facility
-Contact the appropriate authorities to request placement for the client
-Develop a safety plan with the client to support independence
A client is being treated for a chronic medical condition and is referred to a SW by the PCP for assistance helping her decreasing ability to manage her activities of daily living. She lives alone. The client appears angry and says she wants to stay in her home as long as possible and intends to hire a fulltime caregiver but the SW knows the client doesn’t have the financial resources to do this. What should the SW help the client do FIRST?
-Set achievable goals
-Express and resolve her anger
-Explore alternative living arrangements
-Acknowledge her feels about the situation
Acknowledge her feeling about the situation
A SW meets with a client who says her spouse controls their money, won’t let her work, and isolates her from friends and family. The client says her spouse loves her and the abuse is her fault. What should the SW do FIRST?
-Educate the client about the cycle of abuse
-Refer the client to a domestic violence shelter
-Confront the client about her denial
-Suggest the client join a support group
Educate the client about the cycle of abuse
A SW is interviewing a new client in a mental health clinic. What is the BEST way to evaluate the client for a psychotic disorder?
-Use mostly closed-ended questions
-Ask about psychiatric hospitalizations
-Interview other household members with the client
-Allow the client to speak freely for a few minutes
Allow the client to speak freely for a few minutes
A SW is treating an adult client who is worried about how to help a parent. The parent lives alone, has conflict with neighbors, is increasingly forgetful, and refuses to live with the client. What should the SW do FIRST?
-Suggest obtaining legal advise about guardianship
-Recommend an in-home evaluation of the parent
-Suggest a complete psych exam for the parent
-Refer the client to a support group
Recommend an in-home evaluation of the parent
A SW is working with an adolescent who is very shy. They sat quietly during the first two sessions. The SW suggests they work together on a collage of people, places, and things important in their life. What is the PRIMARY purpose for such a project?
-To gather more info about the adolescent’s life
-To build a relationship between the SW and adolescent
-To use a concrete method for providing structure
-To involve them in a project that is nonverbal
To build a relationship between the SW and adolescent.
No progress will be made until a relationship is formed
An employer refers an employee to a SW because of anger issues. The employee is clearly reluctant to participate and expresses doubts that therapy can help. After acknowledging the employee’s feelings, what should the SW do NEXT?
-Interpret the employee’s comments as resistance
-Negotiate appropriate goals
-Explore the employee’s transference
-Initiate training in anger management
Negotiate appropriate goals
A 77 year old patient has been hospitalized for treatment with a stroke. The DR recommends placement in a rehab facility and refers the patient and her daughter to a SW. The daughter asks to care for the patient in the daughter’s home, but the patient requires a level of care beyond what the daughter will be able to provide. What should the SW do FIRST?
-Reassure the daughter the facility will provide better care
-Talk with the patient and daughter regarding the options
-Refer the daughter to the DR to discuss the placement
-Suggest the daughter take a tour of the rehab facility
Talk with the patient and daughter regarding the options
A SW in an outpatient setting is treating a client diagnosed with a psychotic disorder. During the session, the client presents as delusional and paranoid. She tells the SW she is convinced her spouse is going to kill her. The client becomes increasingly agitated, tells the SW she is going to kill her spouse before he can kill her and runs out of the office. What should the SW do FIRST?
-Ask the agency’s legal counsel for advise
-Contact the agency medial director
-Call the police to warn of the client’s plan
-Document the events to protect from liability
Call the police to warn of the client’s plans
A 19 year old living at home with her parents has been meeting with SW once a month due to anxiety from an unplanned pregnancy. Upon learning their daughter is in treatment, the parents contact the SW and demand they be included. What is the SW’s MOST appropriate response?
-Schedule a meeting with the parents
-Suggest the parents discuss their concerns with their daughter
-Agree to share the parent’s concern with the daughter
-Arrange a joint meeting
Suggest the parents discuss their concerns with their daughter
What stage of life is MOST closely associated with feeling invincible?
-Early childhood
-Adolescence
-Middle Adulthood
-Later life
Adolescence
A school SW meets with a 12 year old student. School staff is concerned she’s cutting her arms at school. The student is reluctant to share info. What should the SW do FIRST?
-Report the info to the local CPS agency
-Contact the parents of the student to discuss the concerns
-Request direction from the school principal
-Schedule another appointment with the student
Contact the parents to discuss the concerns.
There isn’t enough info to file a report. The SW may request direct from the principal or schedule another appointment after contacting the parents
A SW meets with a client who has history of being sexually abused. In the first session, the client tells the details of one incident. The client starts to cry and share and describes chest pain. After acknowledging the client’s feelings, what should the SW do NEXT?
-Lead the client through calming exercises
-Distract the client by changing the subject
-Encourage them to provide more details
-Educate them on the dynamics of physical symptoms
Lead the client through calming exercises
A SW is the director of large community center. The center serves many individuals who have cognitive difficulties. Other community service providers ask the SW for permission to give a presentation to center client so they can learn about other services available to them. What should the SW do?
-Set up a bulletin board with info about the providers services
-Deny the provider’s requests
-Have the providers meet only with those clients who are competent
-Host a provider fair and invite clients’ families and guardians to attend
Host a provider fair and invite clients’ families and guardians to attend
A SW is evaluating a parent-child interaction using attachment theory. The SW observes a 2 year old acting independently while the parent is in the room. When the parent leaves the room, the child appears mildly affected. The SW determines the child is:
-Anxiously resistant
-Anxiously avoidant
-Securely attached
-Disorganized
Securely attached
A SW assesses a client for suicide risk. The BEST approach is to use the clinical interview and the:
-Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory
-Beck Depression Inventory
-Beck Anxiety Inventory
-CAGE Assessment of Alcohol Abuse
Beck Depression Inventory
A SW facilitates a peer supervision group. The is the SW’s MOST important task?
-Sharing areas of expertise with the group
-Identifying clinicians who may need more training
-Ensuring the group observes its guidelines
-Confronting incorrect conclusions by the group
Ensuring the group observes its guidelines
A 14 year old client comes to a family services agency for help. She is 4 weeks pregnant, unmarried, and depressed. She lives with her parent, who are unaware of her pregnancy. Local law requires parental consent for treatment of minors. Who should the SW do FIRST?
-Obtain the client’s informed consent to provide therapy
-Discuss the need for parental involvement with the client
-Acknowledge the client’s emancipated right for self-determination
-Meet the parents to discuss the case
Discuss the need for parental involvement with the client
A school principal refers a child with behavior problems to the school SW. The principal reports that all other children in the family are learning disabled. The school records indicate the parents have substance abuse and financial problems. What should the SW assess FIRST?
-The family’s involvement with social services agencies
-The parents’ educational backgrounds
-The possibility of child neglect
-The presence of a learning disability
The possibility of child neglect
As a toddler, a child was placed in foster care because of abuse. It was later determined that reunification was not possible. During adolescence, the child had increasing emotional difficulties and was placed in a treatment facility. Her long-term foster parents visit her regularly. The foster parents contact the SW to ask if they can be involved in family therapy. What is the BEST action for the SW to take?
-Explain to the foster parents that individual therapy is needed
-Plan to do family therapy when the child returns to foster care
-Refer the foster parents for group support
-Initiate family treatment with the foster parents as request
Initiate family treatment with the foster parents as request
It is preferable to start family therapy as soon as possible rather than waiting
A nursing home resident with late-stage Alzheimers disease becomes anxious whenever family members try to speak with her. The family members ask the SW for assistance. What should the SW do FIRST?
-Encourage family members to shorten their visits
-Assist family members in using nonverbal communication
-Request a DR to evaluate the need for antianxiety meds
-Assess the reasons for the resident’s agitation
Assist family members in using nonverbal communication
A mother brings her 10 year old son to see a SW. She complains that he frequently touches his private parts in public. Children at his school have teased him about his behavior. His mother, teacher, and school counselor have talked to him about the inappropriate behavior, but it persists. There is no indication of sexual abuse. The child is MOST likely:
-Was sexually abused as an infant
-Is attempting to gain attention from his classmates
-Is at high risk of becoming a sexual predator
-Is exhibiting anxiety-induced repetitive behavior
Is exhibiting anxiety-induced repetitive behavior
At the end of the 2nd session, a new client diagnosed as having borderline personality disorder hugs the SW before leaving the office. What should the SW do?
-Tell the client that due to ethical concerns, such displays are inappropriate
-Recognize the need for positive affirmation to establish trust
-Set appropriate boundaries for the therapeutic relationship at the next session
-Interpret the hug as the client’s commitment to the therapeutic alliance
Set appropriate boundaries for the therapeutic relationship at the next session
A client tells a SW that he had an affair with a coworker. He says his partner is questioning him about the details of the affair. The client says he knows how much he hurt his partner, but feels that they have moved on with their lives. After acknowledging the client’s feelings, what should the SW do NEXT?
-Recommend the client write a letter of apology to his partner
-Explore why the client decided to tell his partner
-Address the intensity of the client’s reactions to his partner’s questions
-Discuss the ongoing process of restoring interpersonal trust
Discuss the ongoing process of restoring interpersonal trust
The client is not understanding the importance of the process of rebuilding trust in a relationship, which is what needs to happen next
A SW is facilitating an educational group on depression and its effects on diabetes management. During the first session, one of the participants refers to receiving individual treatment from the SW. The SW recognizes and acknowledges that the participant was a former client. What should the SW do NEXT?
-Help the participant stay focused on the group’s tasks
-Refer the participant to a similar educational group
-Clarify the role of the SW in this setting
-Ask if the participant wants further individual treatment
Clarify the role of the SW in this setting
What is the PRIMARY goal for a SW when meeting with a new client for the first session?
-Develop a preliminary treatment plan
-Obtain a complete psychosocial history of the client
-Determine motivation
-Form a therapeutic relationship with the client
Form a therapeutic relationship with the client
A SW leads a group for teens who parents abuse substances. During a session, a teen expresses frustration that she always has to take care of her parents’ needs and act as the adult in her family. Another group member feels the same way and has to be in charge of family responsibilities. What should the SW do NEXT?
-Discuss the concept of role reversal
-Encourage the group to talk about how this has affected their lives
-Explain the concept of enmeshment in families
-Refer the members to spiritual leaders
Encourage the group to talk about how this has affected their lives
A SW supervises SW students at a mental health agency where many clients have lower incomes. One of the students wants to be a private practitioner who works only with wealthy clients. What should the supervisor do?
-Discuss the professional expectations about working with all populations
-Confront the student about the choice of social work as a profession
-Suggest the student move to another field placement
-Arrange for visits to other social service agencies
Discuss the professional expectations about working with all populations
A client meets with a SW because of feelings of being unproductive and lost. She has just retired and feels she has nothing to do. She is worried about finances and the expense of meds to treat her worsening asthma. She feels lonely and says many of her friends are in poor health and unable to socialize. What should the SW do FIRST?
-Discuss looking into subsidized housing
-Advocate for the client to acquire appropriate services
-Help the client prioritize her needs
-Normalize the client’s feelings of grief and loss
Normalize the client’s feelings of grief and loss
A SW meets with a student referred by her college advisor. The advisor is concerned about the student’s weight loss, problems concentrating, and flat affect. The student says she is fine and come in only at the advisor’s insistence. She asks her parents not to be contacted to not upset them. What should the SW do FIRST?
-Explore the student’s ambivalence about being referred
-Identify the student’s current psychosocial stressors
-Clarify the influence of the student’s culture on the perception of problems
-Assess for the presence of a mood disorder in the student
Explore the student’s ambivalence about being referred
A hospital emergency department SW is unable to interview an adolescent brought in by his parents because they are under the influence of some substance. What should the SW do FIRST?
-Arrange for him to go to detox
-Wait until he becomes coherent
-Refer him for an alcohol and drug assessment
-Interview the family about the adolescent
Interview the family about the adolescent
The SW needs to gather more info before referring for an assessment
A SW is treating a client who is a victim of abuse. Recently, therapeutic work has become quite intense. Suddenly the client begins to say the abuse never happened. What is the MOST likely reason for the client’s change of opinion?
-The client has suppressed the experience
-The client has forgiven the abuser
-The client was never abused
-The client is avoiding the painful subject
The client is avoiding the painful subject
A SW meets with parents who are concern about the rivalry of their two children. They say the older child has been difficult since birth and always fights with the younger child. The parents admit they’re more affectionate with the younger child. What should the SW do?
-Explain the rivalry is normal
-Discuss the impact of parental favoritism
-Ask about the strengths of the old child
-Explore conflict in the parents’ relationship with each other
Discuss the impact of parental favoritism
A SW supervisor wants to ensure that a SW is practicing at or above agency standards. What is the BEST method to assess this?
-Ask the SW to rate his or her own performance
-Ask the client for feedback of services
-Directly observe the SW’s service delivery
-Interview peers to who work directly with the SW
Directly observe the SW’s service delivery
A prison SW is conducting a mental status exam on a new inmate who has multiple tattoos, infected cuts, and uncombed hair. The prisoner’s appearance is:
-An indication of an ability to adjust to prison life
-An important component of the evaluation
-Important in setting rehab goals
-Noteworthy only to the extent that it impacts safety
An important component of the evaluation
In choosing a cotherapist for group treatment, the MOST important consideration for the SW is to select someone:
-Who is personally and professionally compatible
-Of the opposite sex
-Has the same theoretical orientation
-With whom the SW is able to openly disagree
Who is personally and professionally compatible
A SW meets with a single parent whose child is hospitalized for the treatment of cystic fibrosis. The parent reveals she has twins who are no longer participating in activities at church and school. One twin is becoming physically aggressive toward others. The parent is scared and overwhelmed. What should the SW do FIRST?
-Administer an anxiety inventory
-Evaluate the need for family therapy
-Refer the parent to a support group
-Help the parent prioritize her concerns
Help the parent prioritize her concerns
A trauma survivor participates in a group facilitated by the SW. The group member cries while talking about a traumatic experience. What should the SW do FIRST?
-Educate the group about stages of grief
-Ask group members how they are feeling
-Discuss how trauma affects people
-Demonstrate stress management techniques
Ask group members how they are feeling
A SW is conducting the first session of a cognitive-behavioral therapy group for clients with anger management problems. The SW should tell the group members that:
-Anger automatically leads to aggression
-Venting anger is always desirable
-They must learn the triggers for their anger
-People are born with set ways of expressing anger
They must learn the triggers for their anger
An agency has a policy that requires a SW to notify a supervisor prior to reporting child abuse. A 14 year old client expresses fear about leaving the agency with a parent that has been physically abusive. The supervisor is temporarily unavailable. What should the SW do?
-Postpone making the report until they are available
-Inform the supervisor after making the report
-Ask the parent to participate in a temporary safety plan
-Schedule a follow-up appointment as soon as possible
Inform the supervisor after making the report
Parents bring their 14 year old son to a SW because he questions authority, is late for curfew, and no longer desires to attend church with the family. The son says his parents treat him like a baby and wants to go to a more upbeat church. The SW should explain to the parents their son is MOST likely:
-Seeking to identify with peers
-Trying to find a personal identity
-Engaging in a power struggle
-Exploring unresolved religious issues
Trying to find a personal identity
A SW conducts a group for adolescents with substance abuse problems. The SW feels angry during several sessions when the adolescents boast about their previous criminal behavior while doing drugs. What should the SW do NEXT
-Confront the group about boasting
-Discuss the consequences of the criminal behavior
-Disclose the feelings of anger to the group
-Seek supervision to address the angry feeling
Seek supervision to address the angry feeling
A SW is invited to attend the wedding of a client’s daughter. What should the SW do FIRST?
-Accept the invitation
-Decline the invitation
-Explore the client’s relationship with the daughter
-Determine the therapeutic issues in responding to the invitation
-Determine the therapeutic issues in responding to the invitation
A hospital SW participates in a multidisciplinary committee. The committee has concerns about using a new statistical recording package to measure treatment success on the basis of time efficiency. The SW suggests sharing the committee’s concern with the hospital. Many committee members believe this would be a futile effort and too political. What should the SW do?
-Review the goals and purpose of the committee
-Send a personal letter to the hospital admin
-Strategize with the committee about ways to effectively address the issue
-Abide by the consensus of the committee to drop the issue
-Strategize with the committee about ways to effectively address the issue
A SW is asked to evaluate the behavior of a child in preschool for developmental problems. The child clings to the teacher, becomes anxious when other children cry, and avoids the parent at the end of the day. What should the SW do FIRST?
-Assess the indicators of abuse or neglect
-Report the family to CPS
-Ask the parent about approaches to disciplines
-Refer the child for a psych eval
-Assess the indicators of abuse or neglect
An 8 year old frequently outbursts in the classroom. The student’s mother tells the SW her son is upset because the teacher is a different ethnicity and she doesn’t like him. What should the SW do FIRST?
-Arrange a meeting between the parents and teacher
-Observe the student’s behavior in the classroom
-Tell the teacher to document the outbursts
-Suggest the teacher discuss the issues with the mother
-Observe the student’s behavior in the classroom
What evidence-based practice model is MOST effective when working with families and adolescents who have many complex needs?
-Multisystemic
-Solution-focused
-Cognitive-behavioral
-Psychosocial
Multisystemic
A client says she has become unemployed and is concerned her partner’s income will be too low to support her children. What should the social do FIRST?
-Help the client develop a new budget
-Identify the client’s employment skills
-Refer the client for monetary assistance
-Ask the client to describe the impact on the family
-Ask the client to describe the impact on the family
A SW in private practice receives a referral of a friend’s daughter. The SW should:
-Refer the daughter to another SW
-Consult the friend about the daughter’s behavior
-Conduct an initial assessment
-Treat the daughter after clarifying the need for confidentiality
-Refer the daughter to another SW
To evaluate the success of treatment, a SW asks the clients to complete a standardize measurement scale of depression. When should the SW administer the scale?
-At intake and discharge
-Whenever the client is feeling depressed
-Before and after distinct interventions
-Near the end of treatment
-Before and after distinct interventions
A SW meets with a client who was raised by parents who were often impaired by substance use and were abusive. The client tells the SW that he regularly avoids getting angry or upset around his parents because he is afraid of how they will react. The client also says he tries to keep his parents happy and feels this is the only way to make himself happy. What should the SW help the client do FIRST
-Understand codependency
-Talk about parenting styles
-Find other outlets for his anger
-Seek family therapy
-Understand codependency
A SW meets with a client who acknowledges she has been cutting herself for the past year. When talking to the SW, she becomes defensive and says “my family says to just stop it but I can’t”. She ends by saying she lacks the willpower to stop. What should the SW do FIRST?
-Remind the client addictive behaviors are cyclical
-Explore the client’s feeling about the behavior
-Identify the psychosocial triggers
-Assess the client’s motivation to change
-Explore the client’s feeling about the behavior
A SW meets with the parents of a 3 year old. The parents describe the child as often fighting other children, biting, and having numerous tantrums. What should the SW do FIRST?
-Refer the child to a social skills group
-Conduct a family assessment
-Explain the behavior is age appropriate
-Suggest the child have a med eval
-Conduct a family assessment
A SW plans to meet with professionals from several agencies to coordinate services for a client. What is the MOST important for the SW to do before the meeting?
-Establish ground rules for participation
-Encourage team members to advocate for the client
-Suggest the client meet with each team member
-Invite the client to participate in the team meeting
-Invite the client to participate in the team meeting
A social worker meets with a client who has been in chronic pain for more than a year. The client tearfully reports the pain is neverending and says there’s no escape. What should the SW do FIRST?
-Review the strategies the client uses to deal with the plan
-Discuss the clients feelings about using available support systems
-Explore non-traditional approaches to pain management
-Assess the client for risk of suicide
-Assess the client for risk of suicide
A heterosexual couple meet with a SW for marital counseling. The wife speaks French and has limited ability to speak English. The husband speakers English and has limited ability to speak French. The SW is bilingual. The wife speaks French and the husband demands they only speak in English. What should the SW do FIRST?
-Interpret the wife’s remarks for the husband
-Meet individually with the wife
-Continue the session using only simple English phrases
-Discuss the need for a professional interpreter
-Discuss the need for a professional interpreter
A couple meet with a SW to discuss conflict in their relationship. During the initial assessment, the SW learns the couple’s sex life involves a leather fetish. What should the SW do NEXT?
-Screen for possible domestic violence
-Formulate goals for treatment
-Refer the couple to a sex therapist
-Obtain detail of the sexual fetish
-Formulate goals for treatment
Nothing indicating violence. The other steps are unnecessary
A SW supervisor notices an increase in the number of clients form a particular religious group being served by the agency. To better meet the needs of the client population, what should the SW supervisor do FIRST?
-Conduct a needs assessment
-Ask the agency director for funding for new programs
-Recruit SWs from religious groups
-Schedule cultural competence training for staff
-Schedule cultural competence training for staff
A new client wants to be assured sessions are absolutely confidential. When should the possibility of a subpoena for confidential records of a client’s social work sessions be discussed?
-If it appears the problem might involve court actions
-In the first session before the client contracts for services
-After rapport and trust are established
-Whenever the SW deems appropriate
-In the first session before the client contracts for services
In an initial marital therapy session, a spouse complains his partner has poor housekeeping skills, constantly nags, and is not interested in sex. The partner complains the spouse always comes home late, controls the money, and spends most evening drinking. What should the SW address FIRST?
-The couple’s financial stability
-The roles the couple established
-The issue the couple identifies as the priority
-The control and manipulation in the relationship
-The issue the couple identifies as the priority
A SW meets with a client who complains of low self-esteem. During the assessment interview, the client reports receiving SW services at another agency for the same problem. The client ended treatment at the previous agency after disagreeing with a referral to a psychiatrist. What should the SW do FIRST?
-Explore with the client what happened in previous treatments
-Refer the client back to the previous SW
-Ask the client to sign a release of info
-Determine the client’s current motivation for treatment
-Explore with the client what happened in previous treatments
After 6 months of treatment for postdivorce adjustment issues, a client abruptly stops coming for sessions. What should the SW do?
-Call the client to ask the reasons for the abrupt stop
-Respect the client’s right to self-determination
-Send the client a flyer
-Send a letter suggesting termination
-Call the client to ask the reasons for the abrupt stop
A couple enter treatment because of frequent arguments about household rules and decision-making. The SW learns the problems began when the husband returned from 6 months of military service. The wife was responsible for family management issues while the husband was away. Since his return, the wife resents her perceived displacement and the husband is angry about his diminished authority in the family. What is the MOST likely explanation for this problem?
-Ineffective conflict resolution skills
-Unrealistic beliefs about family relationships
-Role ambiguity in the family
-The dynamics of loss, separation, and grief
-Role ambiguity in the family
A SW meets with a client who describes a stressful interaction with his spouse. In the middle of his description, the client stops talking, looks down at his hands, and remains quiet for a short time. What should the SW do NEXT?
-Encourage the client to continue
-Interpret the client’s emotions
-Summarize what the client has said so far
-Sit quietly with the client
-Sit quietly with the client
A couple and their adult son, who is developmentally disabled, meet with a SW for help in finding services. The couple report their son is eligible for services but is on a waiting list. They have limited income and are worried about being able to care for him themselves. What should the SW do FIRST?
-Verify the son is on the waiting list
-Investigate all services available for the son
-Refer the family to an appropriate support group
-Advocate to have the son moved up the waiting list
-Investigate all services available for the son
A SW meets with a family. A parent has been seriously injured in a car accident. The parent is comatose and doesn’t have an advance directive. Family member are asked to make decisions about their parent’s care. They are divided on what to do. Some of them want to continue aggressive treatment, while others feel that aggressive treatment will only prolong the suffering. After acknowledging how difficult it is for the family to face this situation, what should the SW do NEXT?
-Discuss the family members’ understanding of their parent’s medical situation
-Suggest the family defer the decision
-Establish a family spokesperson for all medical decisions
-Focus on strategies that will facilitate resolving the family members’ differences
Discuss the family members’ understanding of their parent’s medical situation
A SW in a rural setting frequently encounters clients at community events. With every new client, the SW discusses the problems of managing boundary issues in a rural setting. A new client recently joined a recreational ball team that the SW has been on for several years. The client asks the SW for a transfer to another SW so that they can both participate on the team. What should the SW do?
-Refer the client to another SW
-Ask the client to join another team
-Interact with the client in the same manner as other teammates
-Resign from the team
-Refer the client to another SW
A SW is working with client who is struggling with how going to college will affect his obligation to his family. The SW recognizes that her own value of self-determination may bias the treatment. What is the MOST important factor in the development?
-The wishes of the client’s family
-The client’s awareness of the SW’s values
-The professional code of ethics
-The recommendation of the supervisor
The professional code of ethics
A couple bring their 15 year old son who is diagnosed with type 1 diabetes mellitus to a SW. Although their son is doing well in school, he has an increasing need to be in control at home and is rebelling against family rules and his required diet. What is the MOST likely reason for the son’s behavior?
-The son is using illicit drugs
-The couple do not understand normal adolescent behavior
-The son’s irregular diet is contributing to fluctuating moods
-The son needs to control whatever parts of his life he can
The son needs to control whatever parts of his life he can
A SW is assessing an adolescent client referred because of concerns about social isolation and difficulty sustaining friendships. After separate interviews with the client and the parents. The SW is unable to differentiate between two possible diagnoses. What should the SW do NEXT?
-Refer the client for a battery of comprehensive psychological tests
-Give the client a provisional diagnosis until more info is available
-Record all possible diagnoses that match the presenting problem
-Request the school records
Give the client a provisional diagnosis until more info is available
A provisional diagnosis is most appropriate until the SW can gather more info
The agency receptionist tells a SW that an adult client used a cell phone to take pictures of a teenage client in the waiting room. What should the SW do NEXT?
-Tell the receptionist to discuss the issue with the adult
-Develop a policy about cell phone use in the agency
-Take steps to make sure the picture is deleted from the phone
-Report the adult’s behavior to the police
Take steps to make sure the picture is deleted from the phone
A family who recently immigrated is referred to a SW because the 10 year old child is frequent absent from school. In the intake interview, the SW asks for info from various family members, but all responses come from the father, who speaks sharply and whose facial expressions appear angry. What is the SW’s BEST course of action?
-Ask the child’s teacher if there are other behavior problems
-Meet with each family member individually
-Refer the mother to a spousal abuse counselor
-Learn more about the communication styles typical of the family’s culture
Learn more about the communication styles typical of the family’s culture
A SW employed at a skilled nursing facility notices that a contracted service provider regularly meets with residents for 10 minutes but documents that an hour was spent. When confronted, the service provider says “it doesn’t matter because the resident’s don’t know the difference and they aren’t the ones paying”. What should the SW do NEXT?
-Take no action. Snitches get stiches
-Monitor and document the service provider’s behavior
-Report the service provider’s behavior to the regulatory authority
-Report the situation to the agency director
Report the situation to the agency director
An 81 year old client tells the SW she drinks one or two cocktails a night and takes meds prescribed by her DR. What should the SW do FIRST?
-Learn the affects of mixing meds and alcohol
-Obtain a release of info to confer with the prescribing DR
-Refer the client for alcohol abuse assessment
-Encourage the client to discuss risks with the DR
Encourage the client to discuss risks with the DR
A couple seeks therapy for communication problems. The husband complains that he feels unsupported in attempts to start a home-based business. The wife thinks her husband is smart and would be more supportive if he made better decisions, especially about spending money. What should the SW do FIRST?
-Suggest individual treatment
-Explore the wife’s contradictory messages
-Help the couple replay the subject
-Discuss with the couple how their own families communicated
Explore the wife’s contradictory messages
A SW is supporting a bill that would improve health care for children. To lobby effectively, what should the SW do?
-Meet with legislators rather than staff members
-Ask legislators for a commitment on the proposal
-Promise to mobilize SWs and their clients around the issue
-Be well informed about the issues in order to deal with opposition
Be well informed about the issues in order to deal with opposition
A SW is responsible for providing case management services for adolescents at risk for substance abuse relapse. The SW wants to develop a tool to determine the characteristics of the client who are successful in maintaining sobriety. What should the SW do FIRST?
-Design questions based on desired outcomes
-Elicit client involvement in developing the tool
-Request agency support for the research project
-Determine whether other assessment tools already exist
Determine whether other assessment tools already exist
A SW is meeting with a client who has a diagnosis of generalized anxiety disorder. In discuss the treatment plan, the SW suggests certain goals for interventions. The client quickly agrees, saying ‘I’ll try anything”. The client has a history of multiple treatment failures. In developing a realistic plan, what should the SW do FIRST?
-Encourage the client to develop treatment goals
-Explore effective treatment protocols for generalized anxiety disorder
-Identify obstacles that hindered earlier treatment efforts
-Discuss the client’s understanding of the treatment process
Identify obstacles that hindered earlier treatment efforts
