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MSW Comprehensive Exam Study Guide with 100%
Correct Solutions 2025/2026
The NASW Code of Ethics - (answers)-summarized broad ethical standards
-is the moral compass for social work professions
-holds the social work profession accountable
Social Work Values - (answers)service, social justice, dignity and worth of the
person, importance of human relationships, integrity, competence
Ethical principles associated with each social work value - (answers)
Professional values vs Personal values - (answers)Ethical fading, self deception
and awareness
Practicing ethical standards - (answers)-3 categories of responsibilities
-Key responsibilities of the social worker
-Application of standards to scenarios
Social workers' ethical responsibilities to clients - (answers)-Commitment to
clients
-Self-determination
-Informed consent
-Competence
, 2
-Cultural competence and social diversity
-Conflicts of interest
-Privacy and confidentiality
-Limitations of client confidentiality
-Duty to warn (Tarasoff)
Social Workers' Ethical Responsibilities to Colleagues - (answers)-Respect
-Confidentiality
-Sexual relationships and harassment
-Impairment, incompetence, or unethical behavior of colleagues
Social Workers' Ethical Responsibilities as Professionals - (answers)-Competence
-Discrimination
Ethical Responsibility in Research and Program Evaluation - (answers)-Protection
of human subjects
-Voluntary participation
-Informed consent
-Confidentiality
-Protection of vulnerable/at-risk populations, etc.
, 3
Functions of Documentation - (answers)-Supporting thorough and accurate
assessment and treatment planning
-Providing competent service delivery
-Supporting continuity and coordination of services among settings and care
providers
-Documenting supervisory activities to show contacts/content in case of
challenge, personnel problems, or litigation
-Providing data for program evaluation activities
-Allowing for accountability- information for 3rd party payors, regulatory bodies,
etc.
Code of Ethics & Documentation - (answers)-Calls for accurate documentation
and protection of privacy of all involved parties noted in the client record
-Gives clients the right to access own records (if this occurs there is a duty to
protect privacy of others noted in the record)
-Electronic records also have to have safeguards in place to protect confidentiality
and privacy
-Storage of records needs to protect privacy and confidentiality
-Records need to be kept for at least several years after termination in a secure,
private location.
Content of Documentation - (answers)-Be thorough but don't overdo it. Think
about what you have to document to demonstrate activities and facilitate
services as well as protecting and serving all parties involved (assessment and
treatment planning, informed consent, actual contact information (including
, 4
cancelled and failed appointments)termination activities, supervisors should
document both supervision actions and consults.)
-Too little vs. too much: document enough information when handling a crisis to
show your assessment, thought process, decision. Don't document a lot when you
are documenting things like a client's fantasy (this could be used against him/her)
-Document enough to fulfill the function of the note and the job. In a crisis,
document smarter vs. longer.
Personal notes and emails should also be written as if they are public: they can be
subpoenaed.
-Families and couples: may want to have one common file and separate files in
which private sensitive information is kept in case of later disputes
-Don't air dirty laundry- no comments about being unhappy in work environment,
too few social workers, unhelpful colleagues, etc in client records- this should be
found in administrative documentation only
Language and Terminology - (answers)-Choose words carefully and support your
conclusions; avoid defamatory language. Write remembering there is an
audience.
-Be clear and specific; be careful with abbreviations and do not use ones that are
not approved or will be misunderstood
-Qualify your statements- "appears to be", "seems to be"
-Avoid libelous writing
Credibility - (answers)-Records need to be thorough and timely; record AFTER you
have delivered the service not before.
MSW Comprehensive Exam Study Guide with 100%
Correct Solutions 2025/2026
The NASW Code of Ethics - (answers)-summarized broad ethical standards
-is the moral compass for social work professions
-holds the social work profession accountable
Social Work Values - (answers)service, social justice, dignity and worth of the
person, importance of human relationships, integrity, competence
Ethical principles associated with each social work value - (answers)
Professional values vs Personal values - (answers)Ethical fading, self deception
and awareness
Practicing ethical standards - (answers)-3 categories of responsibilities
-Key responsibilities of the social worker
-Application of standards to scenarios
Social workers' ethical responsibilities to clients - (answers)-Commitment to
clients
-Self-determination
-Informed consent
-Competence
, 2
-Cultural competence and social diversity
-Conflicts of interest
-Privacy and confidentiality
-Limitations of client confidentiality
-Duty to warn (Tarasoff)
Social Workers' Ethical Responsibilities to Colleagues - (answers)-Respect
-Confidentiality
-Sexual relationships and harassment
-Impairment, incompetence, or unethical behavior of colleagues
Social Workers' Ethical Responsibilities as Professionals - (answers)-Competence
-Discrimination
Ethical Responsibility in Research and Program Evaluation - (answers)-Protection
of human subjects
-Voluntary participation
-Informed consent
-Confidentiality
-Protection of vulnerable/at-risk populations, etc.
, 3
Functions of Documentation - (answers)-Supporting thorough and accurate
assessment and treatment planning
-Providing competent service delivery
-Supporting continuity and coordination of services among settings and care
providers
-Documenting supervisory activities to show contacts/content in case of
challenge, personnel problems, or litigation
-Providing data for program evaluation activities
-Allowing for accountability- information for 3rd party payors, regulatory bodies,
etc.
Code of Ethics & Documentation - (answers)-Calls for accurate documentation
and protection of privacy of all involved parties noted in the client record
-Gives clients the right to access own records (if this occurs there is a duty to
protect privacy of others noted in the record)
-Electronic records also have to have safeguards in place to protect confidentiality
and privacy
-Storage of records needs to protect privacy and confidentiality
-Records need to be kept for at least several years after termination in a secure,
private location.
Content of Documentation - (answers)-Be thorough but don't overdo it. Think
about what you have to document to demonstrate activities and facilitate
services as well as protecting and serving all parties involved (assessment and
treatment planning, informed consent, actual contact information (including
, 4
cancelled and failed appointments)termination activities, supervisors should
document both supervision actions and consults.)
-Too little vs. too much: document enough information when handling a crisis to
show your assessment, thought process, decision. Don't document a lot when you
are documenting things like a client's fantasy (this could be used against him/her)
-Document enough to fulfill the function of the note and the job. In a crisis,
document smarter vs. longer.
Personal notes and emails should also be written as if they are public: they can be
subpoenaed.
-Families and couples: may want to have one common file and separate files in
which private sensitive information is kept in case of later disputes
-Don't air dirty laundry- no comments about being unhappy in work environment,
too few social workers, unhelpful colleagues, etc in client records- this should be
found in administrative documentation only
Language and Terminology - (answers)-Choose words carefully and support your
conclusions; avoid defamatory language. Write remembering there is an
audience.
-Be clear and specific; be careful with abbreviations and do not use ones that are
not approved or will be misunderstood
-Qualify your statements- "appears to be", "seems to be"
-Avoid libelous writing
Credibility - (answers)-Records need to be thorough and timely; record AFTER you
have delivered the service not before.
