LCSW EXAM PREP
-exam elaborations with 100% verified answer/solutions-
Excel & Succeed - academic year (2026)
169 Q&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
-exam elaborations with 100% verified answer/solutions-
Excel & Succeed - academic year (2026)
169 Q&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
