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LCSW EXAM PREP Questions with
Detailed Verified Answers
A new social worker begins to establish professional rapport with a group
of school aged youths. After a few weeks, the social worker discovers that
their former social worker still sees the youths, gives them new school
supplies, and takes them out for social events. The new social worker
should FIRST: Ans: — speak directly to the former social worker
A parent in great distress consults a social worker. Because of having
heard so much in the media about sexual abuse, the parent is unsure how
to respond to recently finding her five-year-old exploring the body of
another child. The parent does not know whether this is deviant behavior.
The social worker should: Ans: — reassure the parent that this is normal
for children this age
A social worker is the new manager of a human service organization that
is simultaneously struggling with maintaining positive employee morale,
increasing client services, and improving outcomes. The manager should
FIRST: Ans: — initiate a staff recognition program
What is MOST important to remember about defense mechanisms? Ans:
— Defense mechanisms are unconscious process.
A 27-year-old male with a history of hospitalizations for bipolar disorder
and alcohol abuse recently stopped taking his medication, became manic,
and resumed drinking. At his landlord's request, the police take him to the
hospital and arrange an involuntary admission to the acute psychiatric
unit. The client has all of the following rights EXCEPT the right to: Ans: —
leave the hospital regardless of his condition
A social worker assesses an elderly client for suicide risk. The BEST
approach is to use the clinical interview and the: Ans: — Geriatric
Depression Inventory
For help with classes reach out:
, Page | 2
A couple married for 30 years seeks help at a crisis clinic. The husband
describes his wife's emotional and erratic behavior and radical change in
appearance and dress, which is contrary to their religious beliefs. The wife
talks openly and happily about spending more time outside the home with
her friends and hobbies, and her desire to work for the first time. The
social worker should assess the couple for evidence of: Ans: — Issues
related to family transition
A client is seen by a social worker at a family service agency complaining
that she has been feeling depressed. She states that she shouldn't feel
this way because there are no problems in her life. She has a husband, a
good job, and two healthy children. The social worker should FIRST: Ans:
— clarify what the client means by depression
A social worker meets with an adolescent who frequently misses school
and is having academic problems. Psychological testing found the client is
above average in intelligence, but with poor impulse control and at high
risk for antisocial behaviors. The social worker completes the social
history to: Ans: — understand factors that affect the client's behavior
At a community mental health agency, a new social worker replaces a
social worker who resigned with short notice due to a family emergency.
Within a few weeks, the social worker has met with all the clients. While
in the public waiting room, a social work colleague hears the new social
worker say to a client that it was "unprofessional and harmful" for the
prior social worker to leave the agency so suddenly. The colleague should
FIRST: Ans: — talk to the new social worker about the conversation
A social worker conducts a support group for adults who are caregivers
for their elderly parents. During one group meeting, a member begins to
describe how she behaves toward her parent when she becomes
frustrated. The social worker becomes concerned that the behavior may
constitute abuse. The social worker should: Ans: — meet with the
member individually after the group to review the situation
A 14-year-old girl comes to a family service agency for help. She is four
weeks pregnant, unmarried, and depressed. She lives with her parents
who are unaware of her pregnancy. Local law requires parental consent
for treatment of minors who live with their parent(s) or legal guardian.
The social worker should FIRST: Ans: — discuss the need for parental
involvement with the client
For help with classes reach out:
, Page | 3
A 25-year-old woman seeks help at a local mental health clinic. She
complains of nightmares, agitation, an inability to concentrate, and weight
loss. During the assessment phase, the social worker learns that the
client had been recently raped and mugged. The social worker should
FIRST focus on: Ans: — potential for self-harm
A social worker in private practice is temporarily moving to another city.
Following consideration of the risks and benefits that may be experienced
by each client, the social worker offers to continue the therapeutic
relationship with several clients through email. This suggestion is MOST
appropriate for clients who: Ans: — are able to cope with day-to-day
issues
A 49-year-old woman seeks therapy citing problems with her 74-year-old
mother. She reports that her mother moved to a retirement community
seven years ago after the death of the client's father. The mother has
adjusted well and made many new friends. Six months ago the client's
mother began dating a man and they have decided to live together. Since
this decision, the client and her mother argue each time they see each
other. The client states that her mother "is not thinking clearly," and "is
betraying my father." The client is very upset to think of her mother being
sexually active. The social worker should FIRST: Ans: — focus on the
client's feelings about her mother's changes in behavior
A social worker sees a family for family therapy. During one session, the
youngest family member tells the social worker, "I need to share
something with you." Another family member responds by saying, "Don't
talk about it." The social worker makes several unsuccessful attempts to
assist family members in more open discussion. To increase open
communication, what should the social worker do NEXT? Ans: — Use
circular questioning with all family members
A social worker sees a 60-year-old man who reports feeling irritable and
unhappy in his 35-year marriage. The man also describes loss of interest
in his longtime hobbies, and trouble sleeping. Six months ago he had a
serious heart attack and is currently on disability after working all his
adult life. The social worker should FIRST: Ans: — refer the client for
medication evaluation
A social worker sees a new client referred because of heavy alcohol use.
During the initial assessment the client questions the social worker's
For help with classes reach out:
LCSW EXAM PREP Questions with
Detailed Verified Answers
A new social worker begins to establish professional rapport with a group
of school aged youths. After a few weeks, the social worker discovers that
their former social worker still sees the youths, gives them new school
supplies, and takes them out for social events. The new social worker
should FIRST: Ans: — speak directly to the former social worker
A parent in great distress consults a social worker. Because of having
heard so much in the media about sexual abuse, the parent is unsure how
to respond to recently finding her five-year-old exploring the body of
another child. The parent does not know whether this is deviant behavior.
The social worker should: Ans: — reassure the parent that this is normal
for children this age
A social worker is the new manager of a human service organization that
is simultaneously struggling with maintaining positive employee morale,
increasing client services, and improving outcomes. The manager should
FIRST: Ans: — initiate a staff recognition program
What is MOST important to remember about defense mechanisms? Ans:
— Defense mechanisms are unconscious process.
A 27-year-old male with a history of hospitalizations for bipolar disorder
and alcohol abuse recently stopped taking his medication, became manic,
and resumed drinking. At his landlord's request, the police take him to the
hospital and arrange an involuntary admission to the acute psychiatric
unit. The client has all of the following rights EXCEPT the right to: Ans: —
leave the hospital regardless of his condition
A social worker assesses an elderly client for suicide risk. The BEST
approach is to use the clinical interview and the: Ans: — Geriatric
Depression Inventory
For help with classes reach out:
, Page | 2
A couple married for 30 years seeks help at a crisis clinic. The husband
describes his wife's emotional and erratic behavior and radical change in
appearance and dress, which is contrary to their religious beliefs. The wife
talks openly and happily about spending more time outside the home with
her friends and hobbies, and her desire to work for the first time. The
social worker should assess the couple for evidence of: Ans: — Issues
related to family transition
A client is seen by a social worker at a family service agency complaining
that she has been feeling depressed. She states that she shouldn't feel
this way because there are no problems in her life. She has a husband, a
good job, and two healthy children. The social worker should FIRST: Ans:
— clarify what the client means by depression
A social worker meets with an adolescent who frequently misses school
and is having academic problems. Psychological testing found the client is
above average in intelligence, but with poor impulse control and at high
risk for antisocial behaviors. The social worker completes the social
history to: Ans: — understand factors that affect the client's behavior
At a community mental health agency, a new social worker replaces a
social worker who resigned with short notice due to a family emergency.
Within a few weeks, the social worker has met with all the clients. While
in the public waiting room, a social work colleague hears the new social
worker say to a client that it was "unprofessional and harmful" for the
prior social worker to leave the agency so suddenly. The colleague should
FIRST: Ans: — talk to the new social worker about the conversation
A social worker conducts a support group for adults who are caregivers
for their elderly parents. During one group meeting, a member begins to
describe how she behaves toward her parent when she becomes
frustrated. The social worker becomes concerned that the behavior may
constitute abuse. The social worker should: Ans: — meet with the
member individually after the group to review the situation
A 14-year-old girl comes to a family service agency for help. She is four
weeks pregnant, unmarried, and depressed. She lives with her parents
who are unaware of her pregnancy. Local law requires parental consent
for treatment of minors who live with their parent(s) or legal guardian.
The social worker should FIRST: Ans: — discuss the need for parental
involvement with the client
For help with classes reach out:
, Page | 3
A 25-year-old woman seeks help at a local mental health clinic. She
complains of nightmares, agitation, an inability to concentrate, and weight
loss. During the assessment phase, the social worker learns that the
client had been recently raped and mugged. The social worker should
FIRST focus on: Ans: — potential for self-harm
A social worker in private practice is temporarily moving to another city.
Following consideration of the risks and benefits that may be experienced
by each client, the social worker offers to continue the therapeutic
relationship with several clients through email. This suggestion is MOST
appropriate for clients who: Ans: — are able to cope with day-to-day
issues
A 49-year-old woman seeks therapy citing problems with her 74-year-old
mother. She reports that her mother moved to a retirement community
seven years ago after the death of the client's father. The mother has
adjusted well and made many new friends. Six months ago the client's
mother began dating a man and they have decided to live together. Since
this decision, the client and her mother argue each time they see each
other. The client states that her mother "is not thinking clearly," and "is
betraying my father." The client is very upset to think of her mother being
sexually active. The social worker should FIRST: Ans: — focus on the
client's feelings about her mother's changes in behavior
A social worker sees a family for family therapy. During one session, the
youngest family member tells the social worker, "I need to share
something with you." Another family member responds by saying, "Don't
talk about it." The social worker makes several unsuccessful attempts to
assist family members in more open discussion. To increase open
communication, what should the social worker do NEXT? Ans: — Use
circular questioning with all family members
A social worker sees a 60-year-old man who reports feeling irritable and
unhappy in his 35-year marriage. The man also describes loss of interest
in his longtime hobbies, and trouble sleeping. Six months ago he had a
serious heart attack and is currently on disability after working all his
adult life. The social worker should FIRST: Ans: — refer the client for
medication evaluation
A social worker sees a new client referred because of heavy alcohol use.
During the initial assessment the client questions the social worker's
For help with classes reach out:
