MSW COMPREHENSIVE EXAM 2025
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
The NASW Code of Ethics - ANS -summarized broad ethical standards
-is the moral compass for social work professions
-holds the social work profession accountable
Social Work Values - ANS service, social justice, dignity and worth of the person, importance
of human relationships, integrity, competence
Ethical principles associated with each social work value - ANS
Professional values vs Personal values - ANS Ethical fading, self deception and awareness
Practicing ethical standards - ANS -3 categories of responsibilities
-Key responsibilities of the social worker
-Application of standards to scenarios
Social workers' ethical responsibilities to clients - ANS -Commitment to clients
-Self-determination
-Informed consent
-Competence
-Cultural competence and social diversity
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,-Conflicts of interest
-Privacy and confidentiality
-Limitations of client confidentiality
-Duty to warn (Tarasoff)
Social Workers' Ethical Responsibilities to Colleagues - ANS -Respect
-Confidentiality
-Sexual relationships and harassment
-Impairment, incompetence, or unethical behavior of colleagues
Social Workers' Ethical Responsibilities as Professionals - ANS -Competence
-Discrimination
Ethical Responsibility in Research and Program Evaluation - ANS -Protection of human
subjects
-Voluntary participation
-Informed consent
-Confidentiality
-Protection of vulnerable/at-risk populations, etc.
Functions of Documentation - ANS -Supporting thorough and accurate assessment and
treatment planning
-Providing competent service delivery
-Supporting continuity and coordination of services among settings and care providers
-Documenting supervisory activities to show contacts/content in case of challenge, personnel
problems, or litigation
-Providing data for program evaluation activities
-Allowing for accountability- information for 3rd party payors, regulatory bodies, etc.
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,Code of Ethics & Documentation - ANS -Calls for accurate documentation and protection of
privacy of all involved parties noted in the client record
-Gives clients the right to access own records (if this occurs there is a duty to protect privacy of
others noted in the record)
-Electronic records also have to have safeguards in place to protect confidentiality and privacy
-Storage of records needs to protect privacy and confidentiality
-Records need to be kept for at least several years after termination in a secure, private
location.
Content of Documentation - ANS -Be thorough but don't overdo it. Think about what you
have to document to demonstrate activities and facilitate services as well as protecting and
serving all parties involved (assessment and treatment planning, informed consent, actual
contact information (including cancelled and failed appointments)termination activities,
supervisors should document both supervision actions and consults.)
-Too little vs. too much: document enough information when handling a crisis to show your
assessment, thought process, decision. Don't document a lot when you are documenting things
like a client's fantasy (this could be used against him/her)
-Document enough to fulfill the function of the note and the job. In a crisis, document smarter
vs. longer.
Personal notes and emails should also be written as if they are public: they can be subpoenaed.
-Families and couples: may want to have one common file and separate files in which private
sensitive information is kept in case of later disputes
-Don't air dirty laundry- no comments about being unhappy in work environment, too few
social workers, unhelpful colleagues, etc in client records- this should be found in
administrative documentation only
Language and Terminology - ANS -Choose words carefully and support your conclusions;
avoid defamatory language. Write remembering there is an audience.
-Be clear and specific; be careful with abbreviations and do not use ones that are not approved
or will be misunderstood
-Qualify your statements- "appears to be", "seems to be"
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, -Avoid libelous writing
Credibility - ANS -Records need to be thorough and timely; record AFTER you have delivered
the service not before.
-Document in the required window (during the contact, immediately after, within 24 hours)-
delayed documentation can be used against you.
-Use proper grammar so you can maintain credibility
-Acknowledge errors: either write a new note with correct information or strike out error,
insert correct information. Date and initial change.
Access to Records and Documents - ANS -There is no such thing as complete confidentiality:
always assume records will be seen
-Subpoenas: know the difference for one requesting records vs. one requesting a personal
appearance (some organizations send the person responsible for maintaining the record- i.e.,
medical records)
-If you receive a subpoena you can try to have it withdrawn or the information requested
narrowed
-Do not release information without a court order or a consent
Regulations - ANS -Be sure you are familiar with all records that pertain to your practice
(HIPAA, FERPA, JCAHO, etc)
-Work in compliance with these expectations
A social worker is meeting with her client for a first therapy session. What is the first ethical
responsibility she is obligated to meet in this session? - ANS Inform the client about the
limits of confidentiality.
A social worker employed by a community-based organization finds her professional decision-
making to be influenced by elements other than concern about the client. What ethical issue is
this social worker facing? - ANS Conflict of interest.
COPYRIGHT © 2025 THESTAR ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 4
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
The NASW Code of Ethics - ANS -summarized broad ethical standards
-is the moral compass for social work professions
-holds the social work profession accountable
Social Work Values - ANS service, social justice, dignity and worth of the person, importance
of human relationships, integrity, competence
Ethical principles associated with each social work value - ANS
Professional values vs Personal values - ANS Ethical fading, self deception and awareness
Practicing ethical standards - ANS -3 categories of responsibilities
-Key responsibilities of the social worker
-Application of standards to scenarios
Social workers' ethical responsibilities to clients - ANS -Commitment to clients
-Self-determination
-Informed consent
-Competence
-Cultural competence and social diversity
COPYRIGHT © 2025 THESTAR ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 1
,-Conflicts of interest
-Privacy and confidentiality
-Limitations of client confidentiality
-Duty to warn (Tarasoff)
Social Workers' Ethical Responsibilities to Colleagues - ANS -Respect
-Confidentiality
-Sexual relationships and harassment
-Impairment, incompetence, or unethical behavior of colleagues
Social Workers' Ethical Responsibilities as Professionals - ANS -Competence
-Discrimination
Ethical Responsibility in Research and Program Evaluation - ANS -Protection of human
subjects
-Voluntary participation
-Informed consent
-Confidentiality
-Protection of vulnerable/at-risk populations, etc.
Functions of Documentation - ANS -Supporting thorough and accurate assessment and
treatment planning
-Providing competent service delivery
-Supporting continuity and coordination of services among settings and care providers
-Documenting supervisory activities to show contacts/content in case of challenge, personnel
problems, or litigation
-Providing data for program evaluation activities
-Allowing for accountability- information for 3rd party payors, regulatory bodies, etc.
COPYRIGHT © 2025 THESTAR ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2
,Code of Ethics & Documentation - ANS -Calls for accurate documentation and protection of
privacy of all involved parties noted in the client record
-Gives clients the right to access own records (if this occurs there is a duty to protect privacy of
others noted in the record)
-Electronic records also have to have safeguards in place to protect confidentiality and privacy
-Storage of records needs to protect privacy and confidentiality
-Records need to be kept for at least several years after termination in a secure, private
location.
Content of Documentation - ANS -Be thorough but don't overdo it. Think about what you
have to document to demonstrate activities and facilitate services as well as protecting and
serving all parties involved (assessment and treatment planning, informed consent, actual
contact information (including cancelled and failed appointments)termination activities,
supervisors should document both supervision actions and consults.)
-Too little vs. too much: document enough information when handling a crisis to show your
assessment, thought process, decision. Don't document a lot when you are documenting things
like a client's fantasy (this could be used against him/her)
-Document enough to fulfill the function of the note and the job. In a crisis, document smarter
vs. longer.
Personal notes and emails should also be written as if they are public: they can be subpoenaed.
-Families and couples: may want to have one common file and separate files in which private
sensitive information is kept in case of later disputes
-Don't air dirty laundry- no comments about being unhappy in work environment, too few
social workers, unhelpful colleagues, etc in client records- this should be found in
administrative documentation only
Language and Terminology - ANS -Choose words carefully and support your conclusions;
avoid defamatory language. Write remembering there is an audience.
-Be clear and specific; be careful with abbreviations and do not use ones that are not approved
or will be misunderstood
-Qualify your statements- "appears to be", "seems to be"
COPYRIGHT © 2025 THESTAR ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 3
, -Avoid libelous writing
Credibility - ANS -Records need to be thorough and timely; record AFTER you have delivered
the service not before.
-Document in the required window (during the contact, immediately after, within 24 hours)-
delayed documentation can be used against you.
-Use proper grammar so you can maintain credibility
-Acknowledge errors: either write a new note with correct information or strike out error,
insert correct information. Date and initial change.
Access to Records and Documents - ANS -There is no such thing as complete confidentiality:
always assume records will be seen
-Subpoenas: know the difference for one requesting records vs. one requesting a personal
appearance (some organizations send the person responsible for maintaining the record- i.e.,
medical records)
-If you receive a subpoena you can try to have it withdrawn or the information requested
narrowed
-Do not release information without a court order or a consent
Regulations - ANS -Be sure you are familiar with all records that pertain to your practice
(HIPAA, FERPA, JCAHO, etc)
-Work in compliance with these expectations
A social worker is meeting with her client for a first therapy session. What is the first ethical
responsibility she is obligated to meet in this session? - ANS Inform the client about the
limits of confidentiality.
A social worker employed by a community-based organization finds her professional decision-
making to be influenced by elements other than concern about the client. What ethical issue is
this social worker facing? - ANS Conflict of interest.
COPYRIGHT © 2025 THESTAR ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 4
