LMSW LICENSING EXAM questions with correct answers with rationale

1) A 35-year-old individual has recently experienced the death of a parent and the loss of a job and has increased consumption of alcohol. Which of the following areas should be assessed FIRST by the social worker? A. Financial resource availability B. Potential for suicidal behavior C. Need for grief counseling D. Extent of substance abuse - correct answer B. Potential for suicidal behavior Rationale: FIRST, the social worker would act to determine the client's safety. The only option that addresses the client's safety is (Key B.) Options a, C, & D may be appropriate later, once the safety of the client has been addressed. 2) The ability to keep personal feelings and needs separate from work relationships BEST represents which social work ethical standard? A. Professional discretion B. Responsibility to the profession C. Professional Boundaries D. Responsibility to colleagues - correct answer C. Professional Boundaries Rationale: This requires knowledge of the definition of professional boundaries (key C). Since the question asks for the BEST response, the secondary responsibilities in the other options are not correct. 3. A social worker has been treating a client for two months in an agency setting and is experiencing intense sexual attraction toward the client. The social worker's BEST response is to: