MSW Comprehensive Exam with
Accurate Solutions
The NASW Code of Ethics - ANSWER--summarized broad ethical standards
-is the moral compass for social work professions
-holds the social work profession accountable
Social Work Values - ANSWER-service, social justice, dignity and worth of the person,
importance of human relationships, integrity, competence
Ethical principles associated with each social work value - ANSWER-
Professional values vs Personal values - ANSWER-Ethical fading, self deception and
awareness
Practicing ethical standards - ANSWER--3 categories of responsibilities
-Key responsibilities of the social worker
-Application of standards to scenarios
Social workers' ethical responsibilities to clients - ANSWER--Commitment to clients
-Self-determination
-Informed consent
-Competence
-Cultural competence and social diversity
-Conflicts of interest
-Privacy and confidentiality
-Limitations of client confidentiality
-Duty to warn (Tarasoff)
Social Workers' Ethical Responsibilities to Colleagues - ANSWER--Respect
-Confidentiality
-Sexual relationships and harassment
-Impairment, incompetence, or unethical behavior of colleagues
Social Workers' Ethical Responsibilities as Professionals - ANSWER--Competence
-Discrimination
Ethical Responsibility in Research and Program Evaluation - ANSWER--Protection of
human subjects
-Voluntary participation
-Informed consent
,-Confidentiality
-Protection of vulnerable/at-risk populations, etc.
Functions of Documentation - ANSWER--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.
Code of Ethics & Documentation - ANSWER--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 - ANSWER--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 - ANSWER--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"
,-Avoid libelous writing
Credibility - ANSWER--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 - ANSWER--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 - ANSWER--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? - 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? - ANSWER-Conflict of interest.
What core value of the social work profession is violated when a client is coerced into
consenting to treatment? - 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? - 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 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 date and attend the event. What should you do? -
ANSWER-Report the situation to your supervisor.
According to the Nuremberg Code, which provides the basis for Institutional Review
Boards' requirements for human subjects research, voluntary consent to participate in
research activities is an imperative. Which of the following statements does not meet
the criteria defining voluntary informed consent? - ANSWER-The participant must be
compensated either financially or by directly benefiting from the study.
A social worker experiences a language barrier with a client during the process of
obtaining informed consent. The social worker has a limited ability to speak the client's
language. To best ensure that the client understands the information the social worker
is providing, what should the social worker do? - ANSWER-Pause the consent process
and arrange for a professional interpreter.
When a social worker has first-hand information of a colleague's impairment due to
substance abuse or mental health difficulties that may be interfering with the
effectiveness of their practice, what should the social worker do first? - ANSWER-If
feasible, discuss concerns with the colleague and assist them in getting help.
Implicit Biases - ANSWER--Identifying personal biases
-How personal discomfort and fear contribute to perceptions as well as social
oppressions
-Unconscious biases we have about a person or group of people
Diversity - ANSWER--The influence of human diversity on practice
-The differential skills and knowledge needed for cultural competency
-The impact of oppression and discrimination on vulnerable populations
-Ways in which theories are socially constructed and may be based on a particular
culture's structure and values which may subsequently influence privilege, power, and
Accurate Solutions
The NASW Code of Ethics - ANSWER--summarized broad ethical standards
-is the moral compass for social work professions
-holds the social work profession accountable
Social Work Values - ANSWER-service, social justice, dignity and worth of the person,
importance of human relationships, integrity, competence
Ethical principles associated with each social work value - ANSWER-
Professional values vs Personal values - ANSWER-Ethical fading, self deception and
awareness
Practicing ethical standards - ANSWER--3 categories of responsibilities
-Key responsibilities of the social worker
-Application of standards to scenarios
Social workers' ethical responsibilities to clients - ANSWER--Commitment to clients
-Self-determination
-Informed consent
-Competence
-Cultural competence and social diversity
-Conflicts of interest
-Privacy and confidentiality
-Limitations of client confidentiality
-Duty to warn (Tarasoff)
Social Workers' Ethical Responsibilities to Colleagues - ANSWER--Respect
-Confidentiality
-Sexual relationships and harassment
-Impairment, incompetence, or unethical behavior of colleagues
Social Workers' Ethical Responsibilities as Professionals - ANSWER--Competence
-Discrimination
Ethical Responsibility in Research and Program Evaluation - ANSWER--Protection of
human subjects
-Voluntary participation
-Informed consent
,-Confidentiality
-Protection of vulnerable/at-risk populations, etc.
Functions of Documentation - ANSWER--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.
Code of Ethics & Documentation - ANSWER--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 - ANSWER--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 - ANSWER--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"
,-Avoid libelous writing
Credibility - ANSWER--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 - ANSWER--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 - ANSWER--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? - 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? - ANSWER-Conflict of interest.
What core value of the social work profession is violated when a client is coerced into
consenting to treatment? - 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? - 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 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 date and attend the event. What should you do? -
ANSWER-Report the situation to your supervisor.
According to the Nuremberg Code, which provides the basis for Institutional Review
Boards' requirements for human subjects research, voluntary consent to participate in
research activities is an imperative. Which of the following statements does not meet
the criteria defining voluntary informed consent? - ANSWER-The participant must be
compensated either financially or by directly benefiting from the study.
A social worker experiences a language barrier with a client during the process of
obtaining informed consent. The social worker has a limited ability to speak the client's
language. To best ensure that the client understands the information the social worker
is providing, what should the social worker do? - ANSWER-Pause the consent process
and arrange for a professional interpreter.
When a social worker has first-hand information of a colleague's impairment due to
substance abuse or mental health difficulties that may be interfering with the
effectiveness of their practice, what should the social worker do first? - ANSWER-If
feasible, discuss concerns with the colleague and assist them in getting help.
Implicit Biases - ANSWER--Identifying personal biases
-How personal discomfort and fear contribute to perceptions as well as social
oppressions
-Unconscious biases we have about a person or group of people
Diversity - ANSWER--The influence of human diversity on practice
-The differential skills and knowledge needed for cultural competency
-The impact of oppression and discrimination on vulnerable populations
-Ways in which theories are socially constructed and may be based on a particular
culture's structure and values which may subsequently influence privilege, power, and
