EXAM (170 QUESTIONS W/
RATIONALE) QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
In a routine review of case records at a mental health center, a social work
supervisor discovers that case managers routinely refer all Native American
clients to either Alcoholics Anonymous or Al-Anon. In discussing this
practice with the case managers, the supervisors learns that the referrals are
made without obtaining information about the clients' use or abuse of
substances. How can the supervisor effectively address this practice?
a. Reprimand case managers providing client services based on
stereotyping
b. Educate the staff about services provided by Alcoholics Anonymous
and Al-Anon
c. Provide staff training about culturally competent social work practice
d. Allow no referrals to be made without approval from the supervisor - ANSWER -
Rationale: It is important to provide educational interventions (C) before moving to
more restrictive supervisory practices. Options A and D are more restrictive and
may be done later, after the provision of base line training first. While staff
members may benefit from being educated about AA and Al-Anon (B), it does not
address the concern of stereotyping that is occurring.
At an intake session, a client requests medication for sleep. Since becoming
unemployed the client has used alcohol as a sedative. The client is worried
about finances and is afraid of being evicted. The social worker should
FIRST:
a. Refer the client for evaluation for sleep medication
b. Refer the client to public assistance
c. Obtain more information about the client's use of alcohol
d. Refer the client to the local unemployment office - ANSWER -Rationale: While
options A, B, and D may all be appropriate actions for the social
worker to take, none would be the first. As part of the assessment process, the
social worker needs to FIRST further explore the issue of alcohol use (C).
A client with whom a social worker has worked for several years suddenly
dies. The social worker is very distressed by the death. During supervision,
the supervisor encourages expression and ventilation of feelings. The
supervisor is providing:
a. Education
b. Consultation
c. Therapy
d. Support - ANSWER -Rationale: The correct answer is (D) because ventilation is one
of the techniques
,used in providing support.
A 35 year old individual has recently experienced the death of a parent and the loss of a
job, and has increased consumption of alcohol. Which of the following areas should be
assessed FIRST by the social worker?
a. Financial resource availability
b. Potential for suicidal behavior
c. Need for grief counseling
d. Extent of substance abuse - ANSWER -Rationale: FIRST, the social worker would
act to determine the client's safety. The
only option that addresses the client's safety is (B). Options A, C, and D may be
appropriate later, once the safety of the client has been addressed.
The ability to keep personal feelings and needs separate from work
relationships BEST represents which social work ethical standard?
a. Professional discretion
b. Responsibility to the profession
c. Professional boundaries
d. Responsibility to colleagues - ANSWER -Rationale: This requires knowledge of the
definition of professional boundaries
(C). Since the question asks for the BEST response, the secondary responsibilities
in the other options are not correct.
A social worker has been treating a client for two months in an agency
setting and is experiencing intense sexual attraction toward the client. The
social worker's BEST response is to:
a. Consult with an agency supervisor about the case
b. Reveal the attraction to the client
c. Transfer the client to another agency worker
d. Work toward ending the client's services at the agency - ANSWER -Rationale:
Consulting with a supervisor (A) is the BEST response because it assists
in helping to understand and address the situation. Options B and D are clearly
unethical. Transferring the client (C) may be done later but it is unclear if this
action is required at this point and there is not enough information in the stem to
conclude this.
A school age boy is being beaten almost daily by his father who has a drug
and alcohol problem for which he received no treatment. The boy solves his
school conflicts by punching and kicking younger children. This behavior is
BEST described as:
a. Identification with the abuser
b. Hostility toward peers
c. Conduct disorder, group type
d. Passive-aggressive personality disorder - ANSWER -Rationale: Basic recall of cycle
of abuse concepts and dynamics. Option D is not
reasonable given the information in the stem and is not a current personality
,disorder. He may be hostile towards peers (B) but it is because of his identification
with the abuser. Option C and D are not indicated and do not BEST explain his
behavior. Option A is the BEST descriptor of what is occurring.
Client feedback that indicates a social worker's interpretation is on target is
BEST displayed when the client:
a. Argues with the social worker
b. Changes the subject
c. Expresses anger at the social worker
d. Discusses related material - ANSWER -Rationale: The effectiveness of a response
can be assessed through client reaction.
Continuing to stay on target in the discussion (D) indicates a good progression.
A social work administrator is responsible for record keeping at a large
agency. Which approach is MOST appropriate for maintaining client
records?
a. Maintain all records for seven years following termination
b. Keep records indefinitely to assure their availability
c. Seek permission from clients for destruction of their records
d. Store records for the number of years required by law - ANSWER -Rationale: Social
workers are required to follow the laws of the jurisdictions in
which they practice. Such statutes vary in their requirements. Hence, the only
option that is correct is to maintain files for the length of time required by law (D).
Options A, B, and C might not apply in all locations.
10.A school social worker meets with a teenager who is increasingly frustrated
and disengaged in school. The student appears to be bright, but unmotivated,
and does not submit completed homework assignments. Meetings with the
student have not resulted in changes in the teen's behaviors. What should the
social worker do NEXT?
a. Consider an alternative educational program for the student
b. Arrange for individual tutoring sessions for the teen
c. Refer the teen for evaluation by an educational psychologist
d. Create a behavioral self-monitoring plan with the student - ANSWER -Rationale:
Unscored question. The fact that the student is noted as bright, but
unmotivated, may indicate a learning problem. Of the choices listed, (C), is the
correct answer because the social worker has not been successful in helping the
teen, and the problem may be more than behavioral (D).
11.A doctor notifies a hospital social worker that a child with a chronic illness
has not kept any appointments in the past year and must be evaluated four
times a year. The doctor states that if the child does not come for the
appointments, it will be considered medical neglect by the parents. The
social worker learns the mother has a physical disability and lives over an
hour away from the medical center. The mother asks if the child can be
treated at a local medical center instead. What is the MOST appropriate
, action for the social worker to take?
a. Insist that the child go to at least four medical visits per year
b. Explore an alternative treatment schedule with the doctor
c. Empathize with the mother about the limitations of her physical
disability
d. Determine if the child can receive health care services near the home - ANSWER -
Rationale: Goal is to find a feasible way for the child to receive medical treatment.
Hence A, B, and C are incorrect because none of them would remove the barriers
to the child's medical treatment. Finding health care services near the child's
home, (D), could potentially remove one of the perceived barriers.
12.A client is referred to a social worker regarding depression that began eight
months earlier. The client reports irritability, sleep problems, and loss of
appetite. In exploring the onset of the depression, the social worker learns
that the client had an abortion nine months ago. What should the social
worker do FIRST?
a. Complete a comprehensive eating disorder assessment
b. Offer relaxation strategies to address sleep problems
c. Refer the client to a grief and bereavement group
d. Ask about the meaning of the abortion to the client - ANSWER -Rationale: The social
worker should start with the problem presented by the client,
which is depression. In assessing the depression, the worker would ask the client to
explain her feelings about the abortion (D). Options A, B, and C may all be done
later, but the FIRST action is to determine the meaning of the abortion for the
client.
13.An adoption social worker is involved in permanency planning for siblings
and wants to place them in the same home. One of the siblings is receiving
therapy and has severe behavioral problems that may make adoption
difficult. In considering whether the siblings can be placed together, what
should the social worker do FIRST?
a. Plan for long-term placement based on the children's preference
b. Request a recommendation from the child's psychologist about
placement risks
c. Allow the children to remain in foster care until they can be adopted
together
d. Make the decision to separate the siblings permanently to facilitate
adoption - ANSWER -Rationale: Unscored question. This question is asking for the
FIRST thing to be
done in this situation. Obtaining a recommendation from the child's psychologist
about placement risks (B) will allow the social worker information to consider in
taking appropriate action.
14.A family services agency has a high number of clients who do not keep
appointments. The agency's social work administrator conducts a client
satisfaction survey, which reveals that clients believe the agency is not
RATIONALE) QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
In a routine review of case records at a mental health center, a social work
supervisor discovers that case managers routinely refer all Native American
clients to either Alcoholics Anonymous or Al-Anon. In discussing this
practice with the case managers, the supervisors learns that the referrals are
made without obtaining information about the clients' use or abuse of
substances. How can the supervisor effectively address this practice?
a. Reprimand case managers providing client services based on
stereotyping
b. Educate the staff about services provided by Alcoholics Anonymous
and Al-Anon
c. Provide staff training about culturally competent social work practice
d. Allow no referrals to be made without approval from the supervisor - ANSWER -
Rationale: It is important to provide educational interventions (C) before moving to
more restrictive supervisory practices. Options A and D are more restrictive and
may be done later, after the provision of base line training first. While staff
members may benefit from being educated about AA and Al-Anon (B), it does not
address the concern of stereotyping that is occurring.
At an intake session, a client requests medication for sleep. Since becoming
unemployed the client has used alcohol as a sedative. The client is worried
about finances and is afraid of being evicted. The social worker should
FIRST:
a. Refer the client for evaluation for sleep medication
b. Refer the client to public assistance
c. Obtain more information about the client's use of alcohol
d. Refer the client to the local unemployment office - ANSWER -Rationale: While
options A, B, and D may all be appropriate actions for the social
worker to take, none would be the first. As part of the assessment process, the
social worker needs to FIRST further explore the issue of alcohol use (C).
A client with whom a social worker has worked for several years suddenly
dies. The social worker is very distressed by the death. During supervision,
the supervisor encourages expression and ventilation of feelings. The
supervisor is providing:
a. Education
b. Consultation
c. Therapy
d. Support - ANSWER -Rationale: The correct answer is (D) because ventilation is one
of the techniques
,used in providing support.
A 35 year old individual has recently experienced the death of a parent and the loss of a
job, and has increased consumption of alcohol. Which of the following areas should be
assessed FIRST by the social worker?
a. Financial resource availability
b. Potential for suicidal behavior
c. Need for grief counseling
d. Extent of substance abuse - ANSWER -Rationale: FIRST, the social worker would
act to determine the client's safety. The
only option that addresses the client's safety is (B). Options A, C, and D may be
appropriate later, once the safety of the client has been addressed.
The ability to keep personal feelings and needs separate from work
relationships BEST represents which social work ethical standard?
a. Professional discretion
b. Responsibility to the profession
c. Professional boundaries
d. Responsibility to colleagues - ANSWER -Rationale: This requires knowledge of the
definition of professional boundaries
(C). Since the question asks for the BEST response, the secondary responsibilities
in the other options are not correct.
A social worker has been treating a client for two months in an agency
setting and is experiencing intense sexual attraction toward the client. The
social worker's BEST response is to:
a. Consult with an agency supervisor about the case
b. Reveal the attraction to the client
c. Transfer the client to another agency worker
d. Work toward ending the client's services at the agency - ANSWER -Rationale:
Consulting with a supervisor (A) is the BEST response because it assists
in helping to understand and address the situation. Options B and D are clearly
unethical. Transferring the client (C) may be done later but it is unclear if this
action is required at this point and there is not enough information in the stem to
conclude this.
A school age boy is being beaten almost daily by his father who has a drug
and alcohol problem for which he received no treatment. The boy solves his
school conflicts by punching and kicking younger children. This behavior is
BEST described as:
a. Identification with the abuser
b. Hostility toward peers
c. Conduct disorder, group type
d. Passive-aggressive personality disorder - ANSWER -Rationale: Basic recall of cycle
of abuse concepts and dynamics. Option D is not
reasonable given the information in the stem and is not a current personality
,disorder. He may be hostile towards peers (B) but it is because of his identification
with the abuser. Option C and D are not indicated and do not BEST explain his
behavior. Option A is the BEST descriptor of what is occurring.
Client feedback that indicates a social worker's interpretation is on target is
BEST displayed when the client:
a. Argues with the social worker
b. Changes the subject
c. Expresses anger at the social worker
d. Discusses related material - ANSWER -Rationale: The effectiveness of a response
can be assessed through client reaction.
Continuing to stay on target in the discussion (D) indicates a good progression.
A social work administrator is responsible for record keeping at a large
agency. Which approach is MOST appropriate for maintaining client
records?
a. Maintain all records for seven years following termination
b. Keep records indefinitely to assure their availability
c. Seek permission from clients for destruction of their records
d. Store records for the number of years required by law - ANSWER -Rationale: Social
workers are required to follow the laws of the jurisdictions in
which they practice. Such statutes vary in their requirements. Hence, the only
option that is correct is to maintain files for the length of time required by law (D).
Options A, B, and C might not apply in all locations.
10.A school social worker meets with a teenager who is increasingly frustrated
and disengaged in school. The student appears to be bright, but unmotivated,
and does not submit completed homework assignments. Meetings with the
student have not resulted in changes in the teen's behaviors. What should the
social worker do NEXT?
a. Consider an alternative educational program for the student
b. Arrange for individual tutoring sessions for the teen
c. Refer the teen for evaluation by an educational psychologist
d. Create a behavioral self-monitoring plan with the student - ANSWER -Rationale:
Unscored question. The fact that the student is noted as bright, but
unmotivated, may indicate a learning problem. Of the choices listed, (C), is the
correct answer because the social worker has not been successful in helping the
teen, and the problem may be more than behavioral (D).
11.A doctor notifies a hospital social worker that a child with a chronic illness
has not kept any appointments in the past year and must be evaluated four
times a year. The doctor states that if the child does not come for the
appointments, it will be considered medical neglect by the parents. The
social worker learns the mother has a physical disability and lives over an
hour away from the medical center. The mother asks if the child can be
treated at a local medical center instead. What is the MOST appropriate
, action for the social worker to take?
a. Insist that the child go to at least four medical visits per year
b. Explore an alternative treatment schedule with the doctor
c. Empathize with the mother about the limitations of her physical
disability
d. Determine if the child can receive health care services near the home - ANSWER -
Rationale: Goal is to find a feasible way for the child to receive medical treatment.
Hence A, B, and C are incorrect because none of them would remove the barriers
to the child's medical treatment. Finding health care services near the child's
home, (D), could potentially remove one of the perceived barriers.
12.A client is referred to a social worker regarding depression that began eight
months earlier. The client reports irritability, sleep problems, and loss of
appetite. In exploring the onset of the depression, the social worker learns
that the client had an abortion nine months ago. What should the social
worker do FIRST?
a. Complete a comprehensive eating disorder assessment
b. Offer relaxation strategies to address sleep problems
c. Refer the client to a grief and bereavement group
d. Ask about the meaning of the abortion to the client - ANSWER -Rationale: The social
worker should start with the problem presented by the client,
which is depression. In assessing the depression, the worker would ask the client to
explain her feelings about the abortion (D). Options A, B, and C may all be done
later, but the FIRST action is to determine the meaning of the abortion for the
client.
13.An adoption social worker is involved in permanency planning for siblings
and wants to place them in the same home. One of the siblings is receiving
therapy and has severe behavioral problems that may make adoption
difficult. In considering whether the siblings can be placed together, what
should the social worker do FIRST?
a. Plan for long-term placement based on the children's preference
b. Request a recommendation from the child's psychologist about
placement risks
c. Allow the children to remain in foster care until they can be adopted
together
d. Make the decision to separate the siblings permanently to facilitate
adoption - ANSWER -Rationale: Unscored question. This question is asking for the
FIRST thing to be
done in this situation. Obtaining a recommendation from the child's psychologist
about placement risks (B) will allow the social worker information to consider in
taking appropriate action.
14.A family services agency has a high number of clients who do not keep
appointments. The agency's social work administrator conducts a client
satisfaction survey, which reveals that clients believe the agency is not
