LCSW EXAM PREP, Questions and answers, 100% Accurate, rated A+

LCSW EXAM PREP, Questions and answers, 100% Accurate, rated A+ 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: - -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: - -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: - -initiate a staff recognition program What is MOST important to remember about defense mechanisms? - -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: - -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: - -Geriatric Depression Inventory 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: - -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: - -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: - -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: - -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: - -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: - -discuss the need for parental involvement with the client 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: - -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: - -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: - -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? - -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: - -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 credentials and competence. What should the social worker do NEXT? - -Ask how the client feels about seeking help A 19-year-old is brought to a family service agency by the parents who report a history of school truancy, deliberate destruction of their property, lying, and stealing since age 14. According to the DSM-IV-TR, which of the following diagnoses BEST describes the client? - -Antisocial personality disorder A couple brings their four-year-old child to a social worker concerned that the child cannot yet recite the alphabet. They tell the social worker that they know other four-year-olds who can say the alphabet and they have tried to teach it to their child without success. They believe something may be wrong with their child. The MOST likely explanation is that the: - -child may not have reached this level of cognitive development Parents bring a 14-year-old to a social worker because the adolescent questions authority, is late for curfew, and no longer desires to attend church with the family. The adolescent states that the parents "treat me like a baby" and that the adolescent wants to go to a "more upbeat" church. The social worker should explain to the parents that the adolescent is MOST likely: - -trying to find a personal identity A social worker is working with a woman who was recently diagnosed with HIV. The client abruptly stopped her medication. Her doctor asked that the social worker address the issue of medication noncompliance with the client. The client tells the social worker that she stopped the medication at the time her partner died of AIDS. The MOST likely explanation for the client's behavior is that she is: - -dealing with bereavement A social worker meets with a 35-year-old Japanese American man who is anxious because his wife is pressuring him to move his mother into a nursing home. He prefers that she live with them. The social worker asks the man if he has any siblings and what his birth order is. This information is important to the understanding of the man's: - -cultural perspective In which of the following situations may a social worker provide information without the client's consent? - -When a client files a malpractice suit A client is court mandated to see a social worker for help with anger control. The client denies having a problem and blames others for initiating fights. The client also states that attending therapy sessions is not necessary. To demonstrate acceptance of the client, the social worker should: - -express understanding of the client's position regarding therapy After several months of weekly therapy sessions, a client tells her social worker that she believes she can drink responsibly and intends to do so on an upcoming vacation. The client has recently been discharged from a rehabilitation facility and has been diagnosed with alcohol dependence. The client admits that she has not attended Alcoholics Anonymous nor talked with a sponsor. What should the social worker do NEXT? - -Confront the client's denial An immigrant family is referred to a social worker because of the ten-year-old child's frequent absences from school. In the intake interview, the social worker asks for information from various members of the family, but all responses come from the father, who speaks sharply and whose facial expression appears angry. The social worker's BEST course of action is to: - -learn about the communication styles typical of the family's culture A married mother of two young children is referred to a social worker by her employer for depression and inability to maintain expected standards at work. The initial assessment reveals that the client has recently experienced the sudden death of her younger sister who was a single mother of two young children. The children are now in the client's care. The client's mother and one brother are in prison. The client's husband is employed, but they need her paycheck to make ends meet. The social worker's MOST appropriate practice approach is: - -Problem-solving A social worker sees a new client for severe anxiety and panic attacks. The client is a recent immigrant from Asia and has difficulty understanding and speaking English. What should the social worker do FIRST? - -Determine the client's specific language A social worker sees an adolescent because of poor academic performance. The adolescent also frequently lies to family members, is manipulative, and has shown a change in friendship patterns. What diagnosis should the social worker consider FIRST? - -Substance Abuse A 13-year-old who is being treated for depression is concerned about disclosing his homosexuality to his parents, who are homophobic. The parents also want to know the details of the treatment. The social worker should plan to: - -work with the adolescent around the timing of a safe disclosure A social worker sees a teenager whose family has been chronically homeless. The teenager tells the social worker that her family has to move to another shelter and that she will have to change schools. She shares how difficult it is to change schools and start all over again. What is the BEST way for the social worker to advocate for this client's needs? - -Work with the parents and school personnel to keep the client from changing schools A social worker interviews a 55-year-old man who is seeking treatment for impotence. Which of the following factors is LEAST likely to be contributing to his condition? - -Age An elderly widower is brought for an evaluation to a geriatric clinic by his adult daughters, both of whom live a half hour away from where he still resides in the family home. The daughters are concerned that there is "no one to look after Dad." They believe he is having some difficulty with walking and memory. The neurological and mental status exams reveal no dementia. The man is ambulatory although a cane is recommended. The daughters want to place him in an assisted living facility, but the father is adamantly opposed. The social worker's BEST course of action is to: - -offer an in-home evaluation, with the assurance to keep in touch with the daughters if he consents A social worker meets with a client who is eligible for financial assistance. The client has just had a sex change and wants all information to be under the new name and sex. Upon entering the identifying information, the computer recognizes the client under the previous identity and will not accept the new sex designation. The client will not give the social worker permission to enter the current information under the old client file. Benefits cannot be issued unless the client is entered into the computer. What should the social worker do NEXT? - -Review the consequences of available options with the client During an initial interview, a social worker asks a client a question. The client blushes and becomes silent. What should the social worker do NEXT? - -Remain silent for a few seconds When using cognitive-restructuring with a depressed 16-year-old client, the social worker should: - -work with the client to set a concrete, time-specified goal A child who no longer characterizes objects as "all good" or "all bad" and appears to demand an increased amount of attention from the primary caretaker is, according to developmental object relations theory, in the stage of: - -rapprochement A parent brings a four-year-old child to a family services agency because the child is having fantasies of being chased by a giant and a tiger and has nightmares of running in terror. What should the social worker do FIRST? - -Do a comprehensive biopsychosocial assessment An elderly woman has been hospitalized for treatment of a stroke. The physician recommends placement in a rehabilitation facility and refers the woman and her caregiver daughter to the social worker. The daughter wants her mother to come home since she would like to continue caring for her but she is concerned about being able to provide necessary care. The social worker should FIRST: - -confer with the mother and family members regarding placement A recent immigrant is seen in a hospital emergency room after several panic attacks. He is referred to a social worker but declines mental health treatment. The MOST likely explanation for this refusal is the: - -cultural stigmas associated with treatment A social worker is leading a group for students with conduct problems. One of the students is the informal group leader. He tends to intimidate the others and tries to control the discussion by glorifying his past crimes. What should the social worker do? - -Ask the group how they feel about the student leader's comments Which defense mechanism is MOST likely used by clients with a diagnosis of borderline personality disorder? - -Projective identification An insurance utilization review representative indicates that only one more session is authorized for a patient who is depressed and has suicidal ideation with no specific plan. The private practice social worker argues that at least 12 more sessions are needed to stabilize the patient, but is unsuccessful in convincing the reviewer. The client cannot afford to pay for further sessions. The social worker should: - -continue to see the client and discuss an alternative payment plan A woman explains to the social worker that her family is a recent survivor of a devastating hurricane. She is worried because every time it rains, her six-year-old daughter becomes terrified and hides in a closet. In behavioral theory, what is this an example of? - -Classical conditioning A social worker meets regularly with a young adult client who has depression related to separation and individualization issues. The client reports that his parents were often demeaning and neglectful of him as a child. The client relates his past in a flat, unemotional manner. The social worker should: - -help the client become aware of his feelings about his parents A social worker is working with a client diagnosed with kleptomania. The client expresses guilt, but says she cannot seem to stop the behavior. The client tells the social worker that she does not know why she engages in this behavior. What should the social worker do FIRST? - -Explore the feelings behind the behavior A client has established a behavioral contract to complete homework between sessions. The next two sessions the client says, "I didn't have time to get it done." The worker states, "I'm concerned that you contracted to complete your homework and yet have not done so. What do you think is going on?" The social worker's statement is an example of the technique of: - -confrontation A client contacts a social worker for help with his anger over his partner's extramarital affair. During the initial session, the client states he "will do whatever it takes" to get even with his partner. What should the social worker do FIRST? - -Seek further clarification of the statements A retired person requests counseling because of "boredom and feeling worthless." As a successful middle manager, the client looked forward to retirement and to spending time with family and friends. However, the client now spends time sleeping and watching television, rather than enjoying long anticipated pastimes. The social worker should FIRST inquire about: - -other symptoms that might indicate depression A client comes to a social worker complaining of persistent and intrusive thoughts. The client asks for help to better manage his thinking. What should the social worker do FIRST? - -Ask the client to describe the content of his thoughts An 86 year old man recently widowed is encouraged to obtain mental health services by his minister. He expresses concern that since the death of his wife of 50 years, he has not been able to sleep, has little energy, and often skips meals. The social worker at the hospital conducts a clinical evaluation of the widower for depression. What should the social worker do FIRST? - -Acknowledge the client's feelings of loss A social worker is working with a family. A grandparent, who lives with them, is having trouble sleeping and may be depressed. The daughter and her husband are experiencing conflicts about whether or not to move the grandparent into a nursing home. The social worker should FIRST consider the: - -guilt family caregivers may experience when considering nursing home placement Which of the following terms BEST describes families that have diffuse boundaries between the parental and child subsystems? - -Enmeshed A social worker is treating a young child who was sexually abused by an adolescent neighbor. At one session, the child's parent reports that the child has started to sexually act out with another child. The social worker should explain that this behavior: - -needs continued intervention Immediately following a group psychotherapy session, a group member returned to the office of the social worker to privately discuss an incident that had occurred during the session. The client reported that another member had broken a group rule by lying to the group in session and further stated that the social worker should properly deal with the matter. The BEST therapeutic response would be to: - -suggest that the client consider bringing up this incident for discussion in the next group session An adolescent student is referred to the social worker because of defiance of authority and threats to harm fellow students. The student greets the social worker with a broad smile and asks why the interview is necessary. He explains that his favorite brother is in prison, and he expects that he too will be "sent up" before long. He keeps on smiling and remains standing throughout the interview. The student seems unperturbed by any of the complaints about his behavior. This nonverbal communication is demonstrating the student's: - -defenses A client from a developing country sees a social worker because of depression. The client describes life changes since a parent's death two years ago. The social worker tries to help the client explore the significance of this loss, but the client can only say: "Life is harder because my family has less money." What should the social worker realize from the discussion? - -Talking about concrete changes is a symbolic way of talking about significant losses. A social worker leads a group of pregnant adolescents with the purpose of developing the members' coping skills and decision-making capabilities. The group has met weekly for three months with minimal gains. To facilitate growth in independence, the social worker should FIRST: - -give the group members control over as many decisions as possible A community mental health agency has had its budget cut. The social work staff is asked to develop a way to replenish play therapy supplies. The BEST social work action would be to: - -develop other funding resources to purchase supplies A social worker meets with a client who appears distraught. The client reports feeling worried about her elderly mother, who lives in a group home. The client says that her mother's glasses have been broken twice and her legs have marks on them that look as though she has been restrained. The mother denies that any abuse has occurred but the client notices that her mother's behavior has suddenly changed. The social worker should help the client to: - -make a report to the appropriate authorities A 14-year-old Asian American student is referred to a family agency because of the student's recent poor academic performance and behavioral changes including lack of paying attention and social withdrawal. During the second family therapy session, the student angrily states that she is tired of the painful physical punishment from her father for "trying to fit in with her friends at school." The father noted that the punishment is necessary to prevent his daughter from imitating the behaviors of her American friends and thus bringing shame to the family. The social worker should FIRST: - -attempt to determine the severity of the physical punishment A social worker is seeing a client who sometimes cancels appointments at the last minute, does not show at all for some appointments, and always pays fees late. The client describes frequent fights with friends, but doesn't understand why this keeps happening. What should the social worker do FIRST? - -Relate the client's behavior with the social worker to that with friends During a family therapy session with a social worker, the parents of a 16-year-old girl reveal that they have been reading her email and have become aware of her sexual activity. The social worker should FIRST: - -encourage the adolescent to respond to this disclosure A client participating in day treatment attends a club house program designed to reduce the isolation of mental health patients in the community. The social worker observes that the client avoids socializing and lacks conversational skills. The social worker should FIRST: - -begin and sustain conversations, giving feedback about the client's efforts to participate A social worker sees a 75-year-old man whose wife died six months ago. In the intake interview, the client reports that he has lost weight, has very little energy, and has difficulty getting himself to do things. What should the social worker do FIRST? - -Complete a suicide risk assessment of the client After a lifetime in one house, a senior moves into an assisted living facility. Before the move the resident was outgoing but now is reclusive and refuses to attend meals or other activities. The social work consultant should suggest the staff FIRST: - -allow the resident time for grieving A long-term client being treated for bipolar disorder announces her pregnancy and her intent to continue taking lithium despite possible negative effects to the fetus. Her psychiatrist has informed her of the consequences but agreed to continue monitoring her medication