UK MSW Comprehensive Exam with
Complete Solutions
A social worker is meeting with her clients for a first therapy session. What is the first
ethical responsibility she is obligated to meet in this session? - ANS-Inform the client
about the limits of confidentiality.
A social worker employed by a community-based organization finds her professional
decision-making to be influenced by elements other than concern about the client. What
ethical issue is this social worker facing? - ANS-Conflict of interest.
What core value of the social work profession is violated when client is coerced into
consenting to treatment? - ANS-Dignity and worth of a person.
During a counseling session at a mental health center, a social worker is told by their
client that the client intends to shoot a specific relative after leaving the session. What
professional duties are in conflict in this situation? - ANS-Duty to warn per the Tarasoff
decision and confidentiality.
A 16 year old has become a client of an outpatient clinical social worker after surviving a
sexual assault by the sibling of a classmate at her school. The client's parents have
signed a release of information allowing the social worker to communicate directly with
school staff. The social worker is contacted by one of the teachers who is concerned
that the client's school work has declined drastically. The teacher wants to know if
something has happened to the client. What should the social worker do in this
situation? - ANS-Talk to the client about whether they want any information disclosed
and the possible implications of disclosure.
Adele, a social worker employed by a program serving at-risk youth at a local YMCA in
an urban community, lives in an apartment complex within walking distance of her work.
An avid reader, she frequently visits the local library and has joined a monthly reading
group. At her most recent visit, the group welcomed a new member who happens to be
the mother of one of the youths in her program. To determine how to respond to this
situation, what should Adele do first? - ANS-Assess the situation for risk of potential
harm or exploitation of the client.
During a counseling session, a client with a history of relationship problems shares a
text she received from one of your co-workers inviting her to a social event as their date.
Your co-worker is part of the treatment team that regularly reviews client cases
(including your client) and evaluates their progress. The client is seeking your advice
,about whether to accept the date and attend the event. What should you do? - ANS-
Report the situation to your supervisor.
According to the Nuremberg Code, which provides the basis for Institutional Review
Boards' requirements for human subjects research, voluntary consent to participate in
research activities is an imperative. Which of the following statements does NOT meet
the criteria defining voluntary informed consent? - ANS-The participant must be
compensated either financially or by directly benefiting from the study.
A social worker experiences a language barrier with a client during the process of
obtaining informed consent. The social worker has a limited ability to speak the client's
language. To best ensure that the client understands the information the social worker
is providing, what should the social worker do? - ANS-Pause the consent process and
arrange for a professional interpreter.
When a social worker has first-hand information of a colleague's impairment due to
substance abuse or mental health difficulties that may be interfering with the
effectiveness of their practice, what should the social worker do first? - ANS-If feasible,
discuss concerns with the colleague and assist them in getting help.
In working with clients from a racial or ethnic group different from their own, what are
social workers advised to do? - ANS-Avoid generalizations.
Kinship bonds and corresponding extended family forms are cultural dimensions that
are important to consider in family practice with diverse families. Which of the following
aspects of practice may be most affected by how these dimensions are defined? - ANS-
Both a. and b. (Confidentiality and Defining family boundaries).
A social worker is conducting an initial assessment with a client. What is the best way
for the social worker to inquire about the client's sexual orientation? - ANS-"What is your
sexual orientation."
Eduardo is a 60 year old Latino man who identifies as gay and is disables due to a
work-related accident. These aspects of his identity illustrate which of the following
terms? - ANS-Intersectionality
Jason is an African American man who has just recently gained employment with an
advertising company. One of Jason's coworkers is resentful of Jason because he thinks
Jason was hired because of Affirmative Action and not because he is qualified for the
position. This same coworker also assumes that Jason is not as smart as their
colleagues because of his minority status. What term best describes the attitude of the
coworker? - ANS-Prejudice.
Most group leaders/group therapist will have group members from diverse cultural
backgrounds. What is NOT a good way for group leaders to become culturally
competent? - ANS-Promote universal values.
, A social worker conducts a home visit to a 45 year old Latino client whose young son
was killed in a recent automobile accident. The social worker observes that a large alter
has been made. It contains many candles and pictures of the boy and the other
deceased relatives. The client sobs throughout the interview and tells the social worker
that the boy has been communicating to the client each evening through angels. In
order to most effectively work with the client, what should the social worker do FIRST? -
ANS-Explore the mourning rituals of the client's family.
A social worker at a community mental health center is working with a 21 year old client
who has been experiencing rejection from family and friends following the admission by
the client that she is lesbian. During the third session the client begins to cry and says,
"Maybe my mom is right. She says all I need to do is find the right man." After reflecting
the client's unhappy feelings, what should the social worker do NEXT? - ANS-Use
universalization to provide reassurance to the client about the behavior of others in
these circumstances.
Mia H. and Johnny B. interviewed for the same job. Mia has more education and
experience than Johnny, and is the better qualified candidate for the position. However,
the hiring official did not offer the job to Mia because he believes women are inferior to
men and do not belong in the work force. Based on this information, Mia experienced
which of the following? - ANS-Discrimination
Cultural humility includes all but which of the following? - ANS-Focus on immigrants and
minorities.
What term best describes unearned advantages that accure to members of certain
social groups because of membership in those groups, and at the cost of corresponding
marginalized groups? - ANS-Privilege.
Within American and other western societies, these privileged social identities - of
people who have historically occupied positions of dominance over others - include
whites, males, heterosexuals, Christians, and the wealthy, among others. Privilege is
often unrecognized by those who have it.
What theory/theories of poverty suggest that poverty is primarily based on the
shortcomings of those who are poor rather than lack of equal opportunities and access
to resources? - ANS-Individuals.
Individual theories of poverty suggest that poverty is based on the shortcomings of
those who are poor rather than the policies and institutions that limit their opportunities
to meet their basic needs and develop adequate financial assets.
Statistics indicate that women, particularly those who are members of minority groups
and are serving as single heads of households, are more likley to report earnings that
keep them below the poverty line. They are paid less on average compared to their
Complete Solutions
A social worker is meeting with her clients for a first therapy session. What is the first
ethical responsibility she is obligated to meet in this session? - ANS-Inform the client
about the limits of confidentiality.
A social worker employed by a community-based organization finds her professional
decision-making to be influenced by elements other than concern about the client. What
ethical issue is this social worker facing? - ANS-Conflict of interest.
What core value of the social work profession is violated when client is coerced into
consenting to treatment? - ANS-Dignity and worth of a person.
During a counseling session at a mental health center, a social worker is told by their
client that the client intends to shoot a specific relative after leaving the session. What
professional duties are in conflict in this situation? - ANS-Duty to warn per the Tarasoff
decision and confidentiality.
A 16 year old has become a client of an outpatient clinical social worker after surviving a
sexual assault by the sibling of a classmate at her school. The client's parents have
signed a release of information allowing the social worker to communicate directly with
school staff. The social worker is contacted by one of the teachers who is concerned
that the client's school work has declined drastically. The teacher wants to know if
something has happened to the client. What should the social worker do in this
situation? - ANS-Talk to the client about whether they want any information disclosed
and the possible implications of disclosure.
Adele, a social worker employed by a program serving at-risk youth at a local YMCA in
an urban community, lives in an apartment complex within walking distance of her work.
An avid reader, she frequently visits the local library and has joined a monthly reading
group. At her most recent visit, the group welcomed a new member who happens to be
the mother of one of the youths in her program. To determine how to respond to this
situation, what should Adele do first? - ANS-Assess the situation for risk of potential
harm or exploitation of the client.
During a counseling session, a client with a history of relationship problems shares a
text she received from one of your co-workers inviting her to a social event as their date.
Your co-worker is part of the treatment team that regularly reviews client cases
(including your client) and evaluates their progress. The client is seeking your advice
,about whether to accept the date and attend the event. What should you do? - ANS-
Report the situation to your supervisor.
According to the Nuremberg Code, which provides the basis for Institutional Review
Boards' requirements for human subjects research, voluntary consent to participate in
research activities is an imperative. Which of the following statements does NOT meet
the criteria defining voluntary informed consent? - ANS-The participant must be
compensated either financially or by directly benefiting from the study.
A social worker experiences a language barrier with a client during the process of
obtaining informed consent. The social worker has a limited ability to speak the client's
language. To best ensure that the client understands the information the social worker
is providing, what should the social worker do? - ANS-Pause the consent process and
arrange for a professional interpreter.
When a social worker has first-hand information of a colleague's impairment due to
substance abuse or mental health difficulties that may be interfering with the
effectiveness of their practice, what should the social worker do first? - ANS-If feasible,
discuss concerns with the colleague and assist them in getting help.
In working with clients from a racial or ethnic group different from their own, what are
social workers advised to do? - ANS-Avoid generalizations.
Kinship bonds and corresponding extended family forms are cultural dimensions that
are important to consider in family practice with diverse families. Which of the following
aspects of practice may be most affected by how these dimensions are defined? - ANS-
Both a. and b. (Confidentiality and Defining family boundaries).
A social worker is conducting an initial assessment with a client. What is the best way
for the social worker to inquire about the client's sexual orientation? - ANS-"What is your
sexual orientation."
Eduardo is a 60 year old Latino man who identifies as gay and is disables due to a
work-related accident. These aspects of his identity illustrate which of the following
terms? - ANS-Intersectionality
Jason is an African American man who has just recently gained employment with an
advertising company. One of Jason's coworkers is resentful of Jason because he thinks
Jason was hired because of Affirmative Action and not because he is qualified for the
position. This same coworker also assumes that Jason is not as smart as their
colleagues because of his minority status. What term best describes the attitude of the
coworker? - ANS-Prejudice.
Most group leaders/group therapist will have group members from diverse cultural
backgrounds. What is NOT a good way for group leaders to become culturally
competent? - ANS-Promote universal values.
, A social worker conducts a home visit to a 45 year old Latino client whose young son
was killed in a recent automobile accident. The social worker observes that a large alter
has been made. It contains many candles and pictures of the boy and the other
deceased relatives. The client sobs throughout the interview and tells the social worker
that the boy has been communicating to the client each evening through angels. In
order to most effectively work with the client, what should the social worker do FIRST? -
ANS-Explore the mourning rituals of the client's family.
A social worker at a community mental health center is working with a 21 year old client
who has been experiencing rejection from family and friends following the admission by
the client that she is lesbian. During the third session the client begins to cry and says,
"Maybe my mom is right. She says all I need to do is find the right man." After reflecting
the client's unhappy feelings, what should the social worker do NEXT? - ANS-Use
universalization to provide reassurance to the client about the behavior of others in
these circumstances.
Mia H. and Johnny B. interviewed for the same job. Mia has more education and
experience than Johnny, and is the better qualified candidate for the position. However,
the hiring official did not offer the job to Mia because he believes women are inferior to
men and do not belong in the work force. Based on this information, Mia experienced
which of the following? - ANS-Discrimination
Cultural humility includes all but which of the following? - ANS-Focus on immigrants and
minorities.
What term best describes unearned advantages that accure to members of certain
social groups because of membership in those groups, and at the cost of corresponding
marginalized groups? - ANS-Privilege.
Within American and other western societies, these privileged social identities - of
people who have historically occupied positions of dominance over others - include
whites, males, heterosexuals, Christians, and the wealthy, among others. Privilege is
often unrecognized by those who have it.
What theory/theories of poverty suggest that poverty is primarily based on the
shortcomings of those who are poor rather than lack of equal opportunities and access
to resources? - ANS-Individuals.
Individual theories of poverty suggest that poverty is based on the shortcomings of
those who are poor rather than the policies and institutions that limit their opportunities
to meet their basic needs and develop adequate financial assets.
Statistics indicate that women, particularly those who are members of minority groups
and are serving as single heads of households, are more likley to report earnings that
keep them below the poverty line. They are paid less on average compared to their
