LMSW LICENSING EXAM.pdf file:///C:/Users/HP/Desktop/New%20folder/LMSW%20LICENSIN
LMSW LICENSING EXAM WITH RATIONALE
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
1. 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
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.
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2. 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
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. 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:
A. Consult with an agency supervisor about the case
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B. Reveal the attraction to the client
C. Transfer the client to another agency worker
D. Work toward ending the client's services at the agency
Answer : A. Consult with an agency supervisor about the case
Rationale: Consulting with a supervisor (key A) is the BEST response because it assists in
helping to understand and address the situation. Options (B) & (D) are clearly unethical.
Transferring the client (C) may be done later, but it is unclear if this action is required at this
point and there is not enough information in the stem to conclude this.
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4. 4. In a routine review of case records at a mental health center, a social worker
supervisor discovers that case managers routinely after all Native American/First
Nations clients to either Alcoholics Anonymous or Al-Anon. In discussing this practice
with the case managers, the supervisor learns that the referrals are made without
obtaining information about the clients' use or abuse of substances. How can the
supervisor effectively address the practice?
A. Reprimand case managers about providing client services based on stereo- typing
B. Educate the staff about services provided by Alcoholics Anonymous and Al-Anon
C. Provide staff training in culturally competent social work practice.
D. Allow no referrals to be made without approval from the supervisor
Answer : C. Provide staff training about culturally competent social work practice.
5. 5. At an intake session, a client requests medication for sleep. Since becom- ing
unemployed, the client has used alcohol as a sedative. The client is worried about finances
and is afraid of being evicted.The social worker should FIRST:
A. Refer the client for evaluation for sleep medication
B. Refer the client to public assistance
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LMSW LICENSING EXAM WITH RATIONALE
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
1. 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
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.
1 of 132 9/13/2024, 5:00
,LMSW LICENSING EXAM.pdf file:///C:/Users/HP/Desktop/New%20folder/LMSW%20LICENSIN
2. 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
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. 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:
A. Consult with an agency supervisor about the case
2 of 132 9/13/2024, 5:00
,LMSW LICENSING EXAM.pdf file:///C:/Users/HP/Desktop/New%20folder/LMSW%20LICENSIN
B. Reveal the attraction to the client
C. Transfer the client to another agency worker
D. Work toward ending the client's services at the agency
Answer : A. Consult with an agency supervisor about the case
Rationale: Consulting with a supervisor (key A) is the BEST response because it assists in
helping to understand and address the situation. Options (B) & (D) are clearly unethical.
Transferring the client (C) may be done later, but it is unclear if this action is required at this
point and there is not enough information in the stem to conclude this.
3 of 132 9/13/2024, 5:00
,LMSW LICENSING EXAM.pdf file:///C:/Users/HP/Desktop/New%20folder/LMSW%20LICENSIN
4. 4. In a routine review of case records at a mental health center, a social worker
supervisor discovers that case managers routinely after all Native American/First
Nations clients to either Alcoholics Anonymous or Al-Anon. In discussing this practice
with the case managers, the supervisor learns that the referrals are made without
obtaining information about the clients' use or abuse of substances. How can the
supervisor effectively address the practice?
A. Reprimand case managers about providing client services based on stereo- typing
B. Educate the staff about services provided by Alcoholics Anonymous and Al-Anon
C. Provide staff training in culturally competent social work practice.
D. Allow no referrals to be made without approval from the supervisor
Answer : C. Provide staff training about culturally competent social work practice.
5. 5. At an intake session, a client requests medication for sleep. Since becom- ing
unemployed, the client has used alcohol as a sedative. The client is worried about finances
and is afraid of being evicted.The social worker should FIRST:
A. Refer the client for evaluation for sleep medication
B. Refer the client to public assistance
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