LCSW Law & Ethics Practice Test Exam Questions with 100% Correct Answers

1. Two social workers are dating. They are at dinner and they are talking about their clients. They discover that each of them is seeing a different member of the same couple for individual therapy. What should these social workers do? Content Area: Law: Confidentiality, Privilege, and Consent This question is about the legal responsibility of social workers outside of the therapeutic setting discussing a client. A. No action is necessary since licensed health professionals may consult for purposes of diagnosis and treatment without a release. B. Stop the discussion and obtain releases so that such discussions in the future do not breach confidentiality. C. Stop the discussion and do not talk about these clients again. D. There are no legal or ethical guidelines requiring social workers in such situations to do anything. Correct Answer C. Stop the discussion and do not talk about these clients again. The rules of confidentiality would require the social workers to stop the discussion and not talk about these clients. 2. Revocation of a LCSW's license after having been found to have engaged in sexual misconduct with a client would occur after: Content Area: Ethics: Professional Competence and Preventing Harm This question tests your knowledge of the penalties for social workers having sex with a client. A. A social worker filed a complaint with the BBS on behalf of a client. B. The BBS found that the therapist terminated therapy in order to pursue a sexual relationship. C. The social worker gives the client the pamphlet "Professional Therapy Never Includes Sex" and discusses it with the client. D. The BBS cites the offending social worker within 10 years of the statute of limitations. Correct Answer B. The BBS found that the therapist terminated therapy in order to pursue a sexual relationship. Terminating therapy in order to pursue a sexual relationship with a client is prohibited. 3. Your client, George, tells you that his mother just got remarried. He tells you that he is worried that the new husband's children are going to go after his inheritance. He tells you that he has very little contact with the new family and wants to keep it that way. What is your legal obligation? Content Area: Law: Limits to Confidentiality/Mandated Reporting This question tests your knowledge of how to proceed when you may need to assess for or report elder abuse. A. You must asses for elder abuse, considering "undue influence" regarding the mother's estate. B. You should refer the client to an attorney to determine if he has a case. C. Maintain confidentiality because you do not know the age of the mother. D. Report elder abuse, considering "abandonment" because he has "very little contact" with his mother. Correct Answer C. Maintain confidentiality because you do not know the age of the mother. You would maintain confidentiality because you do not know his mother's age and you do not have "reasonable suspicion" of elder abuse. 4. Ki is a 26-year-old Korean who immigrated to the U.S. with his father 10 years ago. Ki wants to be an artist but his father has saved his money and demands that Ki goes to medical school like his grandfather. Ki says he's depressed and he would rather die than become a doctor. He says he's too stupid to pass the classes in medical school anyway. He doesn't know how to tell his father. The social worker determines that Ki is not suicidal. The most appropriate ethical intervention is to: Content Area: Ethics: Therapeutic Relationship/Services This question tests your knowledge of the ethical obligations that pertain to cultural competence. A. Recognize the importance of cultural considerations and acknowledge that Ki may have to follow his father's wishes. B. Ask Ki to bring his father in for a family session because of cultural values that encourage respect for elders. C. Inform Ki that the risks and benefits o Correct Answer C. Inform Ki that the risks and benefits of therapy may be that he "finds himself" but may change some of his family values.