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MSW Comprehensive Exam: Competency 1-9 Questions
and Answers with Solutions UPDATED!!!
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? Options: Protect the client's best
interests and wishes in goal setting.
Inform the client about the limits of confidentiality.
Determine the client's values so that these can be used to guide
treatment.
Review the elements of privileged communication. - ANSWER
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? Options: Dual relationships.
Conflict of interest.
Incompetence.
Duty to warn. - ANSWER Conflict of interest.
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What core value of the social work profession is violated when
a client is coerced into consenting to treatment? Options:
Service.
Commitment to clients.
Dignity and worth of a person.
Altruism. - ANSWER Dignity and worth of a person.
During a counseling session at a mental health center, a social
worker is told by their client that the client intends to shoot a
specific relative after leaving the session. What professional
duties are in conflict in this situation? Options:
Duty to warn per the Tarasoff decision and confidentiality.
Privileged communication and confidentiality.
Privileged communication and informed consent.
Confidentiality and dignity and worth of the person. - ANSWER
Duty to warn per the Tarasoff decision and confidentiality.
A 16 year old has become a client of an outpatient clinical social
worker after surviving a sexual assault by the sibling of a
classmate at her school. The client's parents have signed a
release of information allowing the social worker to
communicate directly with school staff. The social worker is
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contacted by one of the teachers who is concerned that the
client's school work has declined drastically. The teacher wants
to know if something has happened to the client. What should
the social worker do in this situation? - ANSWER Talk to the
client about whether they want any information disclosed and
the possible implications of disclosure.
Adele, a social worker employed by a program serving at-risk
youth at a local YMCA in an urban community, lives in an
apartment complex within walking distance of her work. An
avid reader, she frequently visits the local library and has joined
a monthly reading group. At her most recent visit, the group
welcomed a new member who happens to be the mother of
one of the youths in her program. To determine how to respond
to this situation, what should Adele do first? - ANSWER Assess
the situation for risk of potential harm or exploitation of the
client.
During a counseling session, a client with a history of
relationship problems shares a text she received from one of
your co-workers inviting her to a social event as their date. Your
co-worker is part of the treatment team that regularly reviews
client cases (including your client) and evaluates their progress.
The client is seeking your advice about whether to accept the
MSW Comprehensive Exam: Competency 1-9 Questions
and Answers with Solutions UPDATED!!!
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? Options: Protect the client's best
interests and wishes in goal setting.
Inform the client about the limits of confidentiality.
Determine the client's values so that these can be used to guide
treatment.
Review the elements of privileged communication. - ANSWER
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? Options: Dual relationships.
Conflict of interest.
Incompetence.
Duty to warn. - ANSWER Conflict of interest.
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What core value of the social work profession is violated when
a client is coerced into consenting to treatment? Options:
Service.
Commitment to clients.
Dignity and worth of a person.
Altruism. - ANSWER Dignity and worth of a person.
During a counseling session at a mental health center, a social
worker is told by their client that the client intends to shoot a
specific relative after leaving the session. What professional
duties are in conflict in this situation? Options:
Duty to warn per the Tarasoff decision and confidentiality.
Privileged communication and confidentiality.
Privileged communication and informed consent.
Confidentiality and dignity and worth of the person. - ANSWER
Duty to warn per the Tarasoff decision and confidentiality.
A 16 year old has become a client of an outpatient clinical social
worker after surviving a sexual assault by the sibling of a
classmate at her school. The client's parents have signed a
release of information allowing the social worker to
communicate directly with school staff. The social worker is
, 3|Page
contacted by one of the teachers who is concerned that the
client's school work has declined drastically. The teacher wants
to know if something has happened to the client. What should
the social worker do in this situation? - ANSWER Talk to the
client about whether they want any information disclosed and
the possible implications of disclosure.
Adele, a social worker employed by a program serving at-risk
youth at a local YMCA in an urban community, lives in an
apartment complex within walking distance of her work. An
avid reader, she frequently visits the local library and has joined
a monthly reading group. At her most recent visit, the group
welcomed a new member who happens to be the mother of
one of the youths in her program. To determine how to respond
to this situation, what should Adele do first? - ANSWER Assess
the situation for risk of potential harm or exploitation of the
client.
During a counseling session, a client with a history of
relationship problems shares a text she received from one of
your co-workers inviting her to a social event as their date. Your
co-worker is part of the treatment team that regularly reviews
client cases (including your client) and evaluates their progress.
The client is seeking your advice about whether to accept the
