LCSW Exam Prep – complete study guide and practice
questions
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: - correct answer ✔✔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: - correct answer ✔✔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: - correct answer ✔✔initiate a staff recognition program
What is MOST important to remember about defense mechanisms? - correct answer
✔✔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: - correct answer
✔✔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: - correct answer ✔✔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: - correct answer ✔✔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: - correct answer ✔✔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: - correct answer ✔✔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: - correct answer ✔✔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: - correct answer ✔✔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: - correct answer ✔✔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: - correct answer ✔✔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: - correct answer ✔✔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: - correct answer ✔✔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? - correct answer ✔✔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
questions
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: - correct answer ✔✔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: - correct answer ✔✔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: - correct answer ✔✔initiate a staff recognition program
What is MOST important to remember about defense mechanisms? - correct answer
✔✔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: - correct answer
✔✔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: - correct answer ✔✔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: - correct answer ✔✔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: - correct answer ✔✔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: - correct answer ✔✔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: - correct answer ✔✔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: - correct answer ✔✔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: - correct answer ✔✔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: - correct answer ✔✔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: - correct answer ✔✔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: - correct answer ✔✔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? - correct answer ✔✔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
