ASWB LCSW CLINICAL EXAM
MATERIAL QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
WITH SOLUTIONS 2024
In treating a client in crisis, the caseworker should focus on
a. the immediate presenting problem
b. a few specific problems in day-to-day functioning
c. a wide range of problems in day-to-day functioning
d. underlying personality problems - ANSWER the immediate presenting problem
A social worker is interviewing a new patient who presents some symptoms of depression. The patient
reports recent changes such as diminished functioning, marked weight gain, early morning awakening,
fatigue, inability to concentrate, suicidal thoughts and headaches. The patient mentions that he started a
new medication for a medical condition three weeks ago. The worker would first:
a. arrange a psychiatric consultation in order to have an anti-depressant prescribed
b. ascertain the prescribed medication and investigate its side-effects
c. proceed with a thorough psychosocial history and precipitating events
d. hospitalize this patient until the suicidal ideation passes - ANSWER ascertain the prescribed
medication and investigate its side-effects
A social worker is utilizing environmental manipulation as a technique when he/she:
a. represents the agency at a health and welfare council meeting
b. uses a psychosocial framework
c. suggests the use of psychoactive medications
d. helps the client find more satisfying employment in a supportive environment - ANSWER helps the
client find more satisfying employment in a supportive environment
A diagnosis of Schizophreniform Disorder is generally applied to clients whose psychotic symptoms:
, a. are related to substance abuse
b. are very long term
c. show a marked and continuing decline in functioning
d. are similar to those of schizophrenia and have existed more than one month, but less than six months.
- ANSWER are similar to those of schizophrenia and have existed more than one month, but less than six
months.
A 15 year old female patient at a mental health clinic complains that for the past three weeks she has
been uncharacteristically angry and irritable and has had difficulty concentrating on school work. She
says that she feels "down in the dumps". Her appetite has diminished and though weighing 120 pounds
a month earlier, she has lost 9 pounds. She has difficulty sleeping and has withdrawn from after school
activities that she had previously found interesting and enjoyable. During the interview she seems
constantly in motion, rising several times and walking around the room before returning to her chair. It is
most likely that she is suffering from:
a. a drug induced depression
b. a somatoform disorder
c. a depressive episode
d. an adolescent behavior disorder - ANSWER a depressive episode
The policy of providing Permanency Planning refers to:
a. children who are at risk of removal or are removed from their own homes
b. the development of a plan through which abused and neglected children will be assured of a stable
family situation throughout childhood
c. a stable foster care plan for children removed from their homes
d. the use of adoption for children at risk - ANSWER the development of a plan through which abused
and neglected children will be assured of a stable family situation throughout childhood
DSM IV permits certain diagnoses for mental disorders to be made, even though the diagnosis does not
totally fit DSM IV criterion. These diagnoses are normally modified by the word:
MATERIAL QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
WITH SOLUTIONS 2024
In treating a client in crisis, the caseworker should focus on
a. the immediate presenting problem
b. a few specific problems in day-to-day functioning
c. a wide range of problems in day-to-day functioning
d. underlying personality problems - ANSWER the immediate presenting problem
A social worker is interviewing a new patient who presents some symptoms of depression. The patient
reports recent changes such as diminished functioning, marked weight gain, early morning awakening,
fatigue, inability to concentrate, suicidal thoughts and headaches. The patient mentions that he started a
new medication for a medical condition three weeks ago. The worker would first:
a. arrange a psychiatric consultation in order to have an anti-depressant prescribed
b. ascertain the prescribed medication and investigate its side-effects
c. proceed with a thorough psychosocial history and precipitating events
d. hospitalize this patient until the suicidal ideation passes - ANSWER ascertain the prescribed
medication and investigate its side-effects
A social worker is utilizing environmental manipulation as a technique when he/she:
a. represents the agency at a health and welfare council meeting
b. uses a psychosocial framework
c. suggests the use of psychoactive medications
d. helps the client find more satisfying employment in a supportive environment - ANSWER helps the
client find more satisfying employment in a supportive environment
A diagnosis of Schizophreniform Disorder is generally applied to clients whose psychotic symptoms:
, a. are related to substance abuse
b. are very long term
c. show a marked and continuing decline in functioning
d. are similar to those of schizophrenia and have existed more than one month, but less than six months.
- ANSWER are similar to those of schizophrenia and have existed more than one month, but less than six
months.
A 15 year old female patient at a mental health clinic complains that for the past three weeks she has
been uncharacteristically angry and irritable and has had difficulty concentrating on school work. She
says that she feels "down in the dumps". Her appetite has diminished and though weighing 120 pounds
a month earlier, she has lost 9 pounds. She has difficulty sleeping and has withdrawn from after school
activities that she had previously found interesting and enjoyable. During the interview she seems
constantly in motion, rising several times and walking around the room before returning to her chair. It is
most likely that she is suffering from:
a. a drug induced depression
b. a somatoform disorder
c. a depressive episode
d. an adolescent behavior disorder - ANSWER a depressive episode
The policy of providing Permanency Planning refers to:
a. children who are at risk of removal or are removed from their own homes
b. the development of a plan through which abused and neglected children will be assured of a stable
family situation throughout childhood
c. a stable foster care plan for children removed from their homes
d. the use of adoption for children at risk - ANSWER the development of a plan through which abused
and neglected children will be assured of a stable family situation throughout childhood
DSM IV permits certain diagnoses for mental disorders to be made, even though the diagnosis does not
totally fit DSM IV criterion. These diagnoses are normally modified by the word:
