ASWB COMPLETE EXAM QUESTIONS
200 QUESTIONS & ANSWERS WITH DETAILED RATIONALES
COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW FOR THE ASSOCIATION OF SOCIAL WORK BOARDS
LICENSING EXAMINATION
1. A social worker is meeting with a client for the first time. The client appears
anxious and is reluctant to share personal information. What should the social
worker do FIRST?
A. Begin with a comprehensive biopsychosocial assessment to gather necessary
information
B. Refer the client to another social worker who specializes in anxiety disorders
C. Focus on building rapport and establishing a therapeutic alliance
D. Explain the limits of confidentiality and obtain informed consent
C
Building rapport and establishing a therapeutic alliance is the foundational first
step in any client-social worker relationship. While obtaining informed consent
and conducting assessments are important, these should occur within the context
of a trusting relationship. Clients are more likely to share personal information
when they feel safe and understood. Beginning with rapport-building
demonstrates respect for the client's autonomy and creates the foundation for
effective intervention.
,2. A social worker discovers that a colleague is engaging in a romantic
relationship with a former client who terminated services 18 months ago.
According to the NASW Code of Ethics, what should the social worker do?
A. Confront the colleague directly about the relationship
B. Report the colleague to the licensing board immediately
C. Consult with the agency supervisor or ethics committee about the situation
D. Ignore the situation because the relationship began after treatment ended
C
The NASW Code of Ethics addresses sexual relationships with former clients,
noting that social workers should not engage in sexual activities with former
clients due to the potential for harm. When a social worker has concerns about a
colleague's ethical conduct, they should first address the concern with the
colleague when feasible and appropriate. Consulting with a supervisor or ethics
committee is an appropriate next step to determine the proper course of action.
The fact that the relationship began after termination does not automatically
make it ethical, as social workers must consider the duration and nature of the
therapeutic relationship.
3. Which of the following BEST describes the concept of transference in clinical
practice?
A. The social worker's emotional reactions to the client based on the social
worker's own experiences
B. The client's unconscious projection of feelings from past relationships onto the
social worker
,C. A therapeutic technique used to explore childhood memories
D. The process of transferring a client to another provider
B
Transference occurs when a client unconsciously projects feelings, attitudes, and
expectations from past significant relationships onto the social worker. This
phenomenon is a natural part of the therapeutic process and can provide valuable
insight into the client's interpersonal patterns and unresolved conflicts.
Countertransference refers to the social worker's emotional reactions to the
client. Transferring a client is a different concept entirely, and transference is not a
technique but rather a phenomenon that occurs in therapy.
4. A social worker is conducting an initial assessment with a 45-year-old client
who reports feeling sad, hopeless, and having difficulty sleeping for the past
month following the loss of a job. The client has no previous history of
depression. What is the MOST appropriate initial intervention?
A. Refer the client to a psychiatrist for medication evaluation
B. Diagnose the client with Major Depressive Disorder
C. Provide supportive counseling and explore coping strategies
D. Recommend immediate hospitalization
C
The client's symptoms appear to be a normal adjustment reaction to a significant
life stressor. Supportive counseling to explore the client's feelings, identify
strengths, and develop coping strategies is the most appropriate initial
intervention. While monitoring for worsening symptoms is important, medication
, evaluation or hospitalization would be premature without further assessment.
Diagnosis should be based on comprehensive assessment, and the symptoms may
not meet full criteria for Major Depressive Disorder at this time.
5. A social worker is preparing to terminate services with a client who has
successfully achieved treatment goals. What should the social worker do to
ensure an effective termination process?
A. End services abruptly once goals are achieved to avoid dependency
B. Discuss termination early in the treatment process and throughout the
relationship
C. Refer the client to a new therapist before termination
D. Avoid discussing termination to prevent client anxiety
B
Effective termination involves preparing the client throughout the treatment
process, not just at the end. Discussing termination early normalizes the ending
phase, helps prevent feelings of abandonment, and allows time to process feelings
about ending the therapeutic relationship. Abrupt termination can be harmful,
and avoiding discussion of termination does not serve the client's best interests.
Referral to a new therapist is not automatically necessary unless ongoing
treatment is indicated.
6. A client discloses to a social worker that they plan to harm a specific
individual. The social worker has determined that the client poses a serious,
imminent threat. What is the social worker's PRIMARY ethical obligation?
200 QUESTIONS & ANSWERS WITH DETAILED RATIONALES
COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW FOR THE ASSOCIATION OF SOCIAL WORK BOARDS
LICENSING EXAMINATION
1. A social worker is meeting with a client for the first time. The client appears
anxious and is reluctant to share personal information. What should the social
worker do FIRST?
A. Begin with a comprehensive biopsychosocial assessment to gather necessary
information
B. Refer the client to another social worker who specializes in anxiety disorders
C. Focus on building rapport and establishing a therapeutic alliance
D. Explain the limits of confidentiality and obtain informed consent
C
Building rapport and establishing a therapeutic alliance is the foundational first
step in any client-social worker relationship. While obtaining informed consent
and conducting assessments are important, these should occur within the context
of a trusting relationship. Clients are more likely to share personal information
when they feel safe and understood. Beginning with rapport-building
demonstrates respect for the client's autonomy and creates the foundation for
effective intervention.
,2. A social worker discovers that a colleague is engaging in a romantic
relationship with a former client who terminated services 18 months ago.
According to the NASW Code of Ethics, what should the social worker do?
A. Confront the colleague directly about the relationship
B. Report the colleague to the licensing board immediately
C. Consult with the agency supervisor or ethics committee about the situation
D. Ignore the situation because the relationship began after treatment ended
C
The NASW Code of Ethics addresses sexual relationships with former clients,
noting that social workers should not engage in sexual activities with former
clients due to the potential for harm. When a social worker has concerns about a
colleague's ethical conduct, they should first address the concern with the
colleague when feasible and appropriate. Consulting with a supervisor or ethics
committee is an appropriate next step to determine the proper course of action.
The fact that the relationship began after termination does not automatically
make it ethical, as social workers must consider the duration and nature of the
therapeutic relationship.
3. Which of the following BEST describes the concept of transference in clinical
practice?
A. The social worker's emotional reactions to the client based on the social
worker's own experiences
B. The client's unconscious projection of feelings from past relationships onto the
social worker
,C. A therapeutic technique used to explore childhood memories
D. The process of transferring a client to another provider
B
Transference occurs when a client unconsciously projects feelings, attitudes, and
expectations from past significant relationships onto the social worker. This
phenomenon is a natural part of the therapeutic process and can provide valuable
insight into the client's interpersonal patterns and unresolved conflicts.
Countertransference refers to the social worker's emotional reactions to the
client. Transferring a client is a different concept entirely, and transference is not a
technique but rather a phenomenon that occurs in therapy.
4. A social worker is conducting an initial assessment with a 45-year-old client
who reports feeling sad, hopeless, and having difficulty sleeping for the past
month following the loss of a job. The client has no previous history of
depression. What is the MOST appropriate initial intervention?
A. Refer the client to a psychiatrist for medication evaluation
B. Diagnose the client with Major Depressive Disorder
C. Provide supportive counseling and explore coping strategies
D. Recommend immediate hospitalization
C
The client's symptoms appear to be a normal adjustment reaction to a significant
life stressor. Supportive counseling to explore the client's feelings, identify
strengths, and develop coping strategies is the most appropriate initial
intervention. While monitoring for worsening symptoms is important, medication
, evaluation or hospitalization would be premature without further assessment.
Diagnosis should be based on comprehensive assessment, and the symptoms may
not meet full criteria for Major Depressive Disorder at this time.
5. A social worker is preparing to terminate services with a client who has
successfully achieved treatment goals. What should the social worker do to
ensure an effective termination process?
A. End services abruptly once goals are achieved to avoid dependency
B. Discuss termination early in the treatment process and throughout the
relationship
C. Refer the client to a new therapist before termination
D. Avoid discussing termination to prevent client anxiety
B
Effective termination involves preparing the client throughout the treatment
process, not just at the end. Discussing termination early normalizes the ending
phase, helps prevent feelings of abandonment, and allows time to process feelings
about ending the therapeutic relationship. Abrupt termination can be harmful,
and avoiding discussion of termination does not serve the client's best interests.
Referral to a new therapist is not automatically necessary unless ongoing
treatment is indicated.
6. A client discloses to a social worker that they plan to harm a specific
individual. The social worker has determined that the client poses a serious,
imminent threat. What is the social worker's PRIMARY ethical obligation?
