Practice 1: 170 ASWB Social Work Practice Questions

A social worker in a community mental health agency wants to evaluate whether a new intervention is improving outcomes for an individual client over time. The clinician tracks the client's symptoms before and after the intervention and continues measuring progress during treatment.

Which research design is the social worker most likely using?

A. Experimental design

B. Single-subject design

C. Longitudinal design

D. Quasi-experimental design

B. Single-subject design

This design is used by social workers to evaluate and improve their own direct clinical practice by measuring outcomes for an individual client over time (e.g., baseline → intervention → follow-up).

A 26 yr/old female client shares with her male social worker that she is becoming attached to him and often has sexual fantasies about him. She also shares that she would like to see him socially. What should be the social worker's first responsibility?

a. discuss the client's feelings about her sexual fantasies.

b. immediately refer the client to a female social worker.

c. clarify the professional nature of the social worker-client relationship

d. discuss the client's pas relationships.

c. clarify the professional nature of the social worker-client relationship

The primary purpose of a service plan is to

a. establish goals

b. assess the home situation

c. monitor behavioral changes

d. evaluate client progress

a. establish goals

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

a. the immediate presenting problem

When faced by a hostile client in an agency setting, it is best for the social worker to

a. suggest that the client's attitude is making the situation worse

b. accept the client's hostility and talk about non-threatening topics

c. set limits and structure on the interview session

d. acknowledge the client's feelings and encourage discussion of them

d. acknowledge the client's feelings and encourage discussion of them

You are a social worker in an outpatient setting. A new client arrives for her first session with you. The client has noticeable hair loss and tells you that she is very tense and is having problems in her relationship with her boyfriend. Your first diagnosis would likely be

A. Borderline personality disorder

B. generalized anxiety disorder

C. Schizophrenia

D. Trichotillomania

D. Trichotillomania

A social worker who attempts to impose their judgement on clients is most likely to elicit the client's

a. acquiescence

b. cooperation

c. resistance

d. appreciation

c. resistance

Crisis is a normal part of life, and individuals try to maintain equilibrium by using coping mechanisms. Sometimes the usual techniques do not work when a problem is threatening. People in crisis may experience guilt, feelings of anxiety, helplessness, and fear. Which of the following criteria are used to determine whether a situation constitutes a crisis?

A. An individual's view and response to an event

B. How others view and respond to an event

C. Instincts on what is threatening

D. Conditioning as to what defines a crisis

Answer: A - When an individual sees an event as threatening with no way to cope, he or she may find themselves in crisis. This is a state of psychological disequilibrium with a number of indicators. Changes will be observed in energy levels, ability to concentrate, sleeping patterns, and social interaction with friends or relatives.

A social worker is having difficulty assessing a client's disorder. Symptoms include compulsions, phobias, anxiety, depression, and mood swings. All of these are fairly common problems, so the social worker looks back into the patient's childhood. There she finds a history of sexual abuse by a guardian. This helps the social worker diagnose which disorder?

A. Post traumatic stress disorder

B. Dissociative disorder

C. Bi-polar disorder

D. None of the above

A. Post traumatic stress disorder

Alysha meets with a social worker and discusses self-perceived problems. She reports complex mood swings that last for weeks and sometimes months. Alysha's main concern is that her manic behaviors may one day become life threatening. When the client is in a more sullen mood, she feels sad but somewhat safer. When completing a full assessment, what might the social worker diagnose Alysha as having?

A. Dissociative identity disorder

B. Manic depressive disorder

C. Bi-polar disorder

D. Post traumatic stress disorder

C. Bi-polar disorder

Manic depressive disorder is no longer used.

Lisa is a 14-year-old adolescent who skips school on a regular basis. She normally misses at least two days per week and reports just staying home in bed. The teen reports being tired all the time and cannot function at school most days. A social worker will identify a target behavior by examining the antecedent, identifying the function and identifying a positive replacement behavior. What type of problem solving should be initiated by the social worker?

A. Authoritative

B. Self-centered

C. Collaborative

D. Independent

C. Collaborative

The question describes a behavioral intervention process (antecedent-behavior-consequence, function of behavior, and replacement behavior), which is typically done in a collaborative problem-solving framework.

A social worker is helping a client who has had a tumultuous past. The client's main is the way his past has come full circle and resulted in problems in the present. After a thorough assessment, the social worker decides to focus on the here and now. What theory is being followed?

A. Bandura theory

B. Horney theory

C. Gestalt theory

D. Freud theory

C. Gestalt theory

In Maslow's hierarchy of needs, the need for love and esteem is referred to as emotional dependency. There are five levels of emotional dependency, all necessary for children to grow into happy individuals. These levels are self-actualization, esteem, love, belonging, and:

A. External fulfillment

B. Emotional reciprocity

C. Physiological dependence

D. Psychological growth

C. Physiological dependence

The disengagement theory of aging suggests that older adults and society gradually and mutually withdraw from one another. In some cases, this process is influenced by changes such as loss of driving ability or difficulty with activities of daily living (e.g., eating, bathing). Which factor most strongly influences the extent to which an older adult interacts with others?

A. Availability of formal support services

B. Number of living relatives

C. Physical health and mobility

D. Presence of same-age peers

C. Physical health and mobility

Physical health and mobility are the most direct determinants of an older adult's ability to engage socially. Limitations in mobility or self-care often restrict participation in community, family, and peer interactions more than social network size or available services.

What is the first step in a psychological assessment?

A. Family medical history

B. Biographical history

C. Bio psychosocial history

D. Mental evaluation

C. Bio psychosocial history

Of the following types of studies, which are concerned with the effects of drugs on behavior, thought, perception, or mood?

A. Pharmaceutical studies

B. Psychopharmacological studies

C. Psychoactive studies

D. Chemical reactions

B. Psychopharmacological studies

A social worker is confirming that an assessment plan flows naturally from child and family to service planning. To assess needs and recognizing positive strengths, she conducts face-to-face meetings. Other agencies may be involved including teachers, therapists, and other community support systems. What type of assessment encompasses all of the above?

A. Cognitive behavioral assessment

B. Family fundamentals assessment

C. Community relations assessment

D. Functional assessment

D. Functional assessment

A 34-year-old client presents for an initial intake reporting increased irritability, difficulty concentrating, fatigue, and recent weight loss over the past month. The client denies any significant life stressors and reports that symptoms came on "out of nowhere." What should the social worker do FIRST?

A. Begin cognitive-behavioral therapy focused on mood regulation

B. Assess for major depressive disorder and develop a treatment plan

C. Refer the client for a medical evaluation to rule out physiological causes

D. Explore childhood trauma history to identify possible triggers

C. Refer the client for a medical evaluation to rule out physiological causes

Studies that collect and analyze data from the whole study population at one point in time is called:

A. Single Subject Design

B. Cross-sectional Studies

C. Retrospective Study

D. Case Study

B is the correct answer because cross-sectional studies collect data at a single point in time from participants who are a variety of ages to see how change occurs as a person ages.

A father recently noticed an upswing in the amount of gun violence in his neighborhood. As a result, he reaches out to other members of the neighborhood to hold a meeting and discuss the impact this is having on each individual, while also looking at the ways that each member can contribute to creating change. This is an example of:

A. Advocacy

B. Program Development

C. Community Organizing

D. Social Planning

C. community organizing involves engaging with groups, organizations, and communities in order to bring about positive changes within the community and to solve social problems identified by members of the community. For this ASWB practice test question, the key aspect here is that the social problem has been identified by the father, who is a member of the community. A, B, and D would all be described differently.

A social worker is developing a program that assists youth who are coming out of the juvenile justice system in finding a job. The social worker has already conducted a needs assessment and identified goals for the program. Which of the following should be the NEXT step?

A. Create an action plan along with a timeline for implementation

B. Create a planning team which includes identifying key staff

C. Put the identified goals in action to ensure they are productive and accurate based on the identified population

D. Using the identified goals, implement an action plan and evaluate progress as needed

B. Create a planning team which includes identifying key staff

Since the social worker has already conducted a needs assessment and identified the goals for the program, they NEXT need to create a team of people who are able to plan, develop, and implement the program. Therefore, for this ASWB practice question, B is correct. A, C, and D would be done once the social worker has created a team of people who can then oversee that the goals are put into action.

A 15-year-old client was recently referred to a therapist at a community counseling center for an initial assessment after throwing a chair at another student at school. The mother reports this is the first incident of this type, but that the client's parents recently divorced a month ago. In order to develop the therapeutic relationship, the therapist must FIRST:

A. Go over the limitations of confidentiality with the client

B. Complete a biopsychosocial assessment

C. Play a game to lessen the stress of the first session

D. Get a release of confidentiality from the mother to talk to the client's teacher

A. Go over the limitations of confidentiality with the client

It's important for the client to be aware of the limits of confidentiality before starting therapy. B, C, and D would all be options to do NEXT, but not until the therapist has addressed confidentiality with the client.

A therapist receives a court order to release the records of a client who is going through a custody disagreement with his partner. The therapist is worried about releasing certain aspects of the record believing that it will be harmful to the client, so the therapist advocates to release only limited aspects of the record. The judge denies the request. The therapist SHOULD:

A. Release the records to the court immediately

B. Release only aspects of the records that the therapist believes aren't harmful

C. Speak with a lawyer

D. Speak with the client about the subpoena

A. Release the records to the court immediately

Since the subpoena is coming from a court directly, we must provide the court with the records. The therapist has already advocated for only part of the record to be released and since the request was denied we can't do B. We could do C and D at a later point, but not before releasing the records to the court. Between the time we receive the initial request and advocated for limited release we should have already been discussing with the client the next steps in case that request is denied.

During an assessment a client reports a low mood, lack of sleep, and trouble concentrating. The client reports this has been going on for the past three years. The client shares they were sexually assaulted seven years ago, but reports that they, "don't really think about it anymore." The client's MOST likely diagnosis is:

A. Major Depressive Disorder

B. Persistent Depressive Disorder

C. Cyclothymic Disorder

D. Acute Stress Disorder

B. Persistent depressive disorder

Diagnosed when symptoms have been present for at least two years. Cyclothymic disorder C also has a 2 year period, however for a cyclothymic disorder to be diagnosed, hypomanic symptoms and depressive symptoms must be present for at least two years which isn't noted in this stem. A is incorrect because the symptoms are not severe enough to give a diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder. D is incorrect because ASD is only diagnosed when the traumatic event has happened within the last month. Since the event was seven years ago, this would make D incorrect.

A therapist is developing a website to promote her private practice. It would be unethical to do which of the following:

A. Highlight the therapist's expertise

B. Share extensive information about the therapist's training and background

C. Include information about the therapist's fees and sliding scale

D. Collect clients' testimonials highlighting the effectiveness of treatment

D. Collect clients' testimonials highlighting the effectiveness of treatment

D is correct because it is unethical for the therapist to collect testimonials for previous or present clients. A, B, and C are all areas that are ok for the therapist to highlight on their website.

A social worker is doing a home visit for a family with three kids who recently lost their mother in a car accident. The family was living in a homeless shelter and recently moved into a new home. When the social worker arrives, the social worker sees the father push one of his children on the ground and begins to punch the wall next to the child. The social worker's FIRST response should be to:

A. Call the police

B. Make a CPS report

C. Intervene with the father

D. Take pictures of the event

A. Call the police

On this ASWB exam practice question, the FIRST option here is A. Anytime immediate danger is happening the social worker needs to call the police. B would be done after A has been done. C would put the social worker in danger and should not be done. D would not be done by the social worker, as the police would take pictures of the event as needed.

A 28 year old client with a long standing history of drug use is referred to a social worker by a concerned relative. In the assessment interview, the client tells the social worker about frequent cocaine use. The social worker should first.

a. conduct a family interview to evaluate the families concern

b. begin treatment, focusing on the reason for drug abuse

c. refer the client to a substance abuse program

d. evaluate the client's motivation for change

D. evaluate the client's motivation for change

A social worker facilitates a group of young adults. One member rudely disagrees with the social worker's comments. The social worker is annoyed by this behavior. His best response is to:

a. communicate the feelings of annoyance

b. speak to the person after the group

c. allow the group to respond

d. do nothing until it happens again

a. communicate the feelings of annoyance

WHY? In group social work, a facilitator often uses their own reactions as a therapeutic tool. By authentically communicating their feelings, the social worker.

A patient in a psychiatric hospital is stealing food and hoarding towels. A program of positive and negative reinforcement techniques is starting to address this behavior. The stealing and hoarding was reduced as a result. In this incident, the reinforcement technique would be considered the:

a. independent variable

b. dependent variable

c. parallel variable

d. causal variable

a. independent variable

WHY? Independent Variable (IV): This is the factor that is manipulated or introduced by the researcher/clinician to cause a change (in this case, the positive and negative reinforcement program).

A social worker meets a recently widowed 55 year old friend in the supermarket and talks with her briefly. She seems sad and says she has little appetite for food and reduced interest in her usual activities. She says she has a much diminished desire to visit with friends, though she is usually very social. The most probable DSM-IV diagnosis is.

a. depression

b. post-menopausal depression

c. grief reaction

d. there is no DSM-IV diagnosis

d. there is no DSM-IV diagnosis — grief is a normal reaction to death. It is not a diagnosable problem.

Your have accepted a position working in a sheltered workshop. You will be trained by the last social worker before she leaves her post for a new job. The workshop is specifically designed to help individuals suffering from a developmental delay. You would expect the social worker training you to us a primarily focused on a behavioral approach. Of the following interventions, which would she be LEAST LIKELY to use to train you?

a. Provide positive reinforcement to strengthen enhance work performance

b. Assess current familial relationships

c. Create a performance contract with the client

d. Review a new client's past workplace behavior

b. Assess current familial relationships

During a group session, a client shares that 7 years ago he set a building on fire, which resulted in the death of a security guard. The social worker may do all of the following EXCEPT:

A. Ask group members how they want to handle the situation

B. Ignore the statement because the situation happened 7 years ago

C. Check out members' feelings

D. Encourage the client to speak with the police

A. Ask group members how they want to handle the situation

The primary factor for a social worker to consider when setting up a behavioral treatment program for a client is:

A. The nature of the dysfunctional behavior

B. The outcome desired

C. The dysfunctional thoughts behind the behavior

D. The triggers for the behavior

A. The nature of the dysfunctional behavior

The primary function of management is to

A. Attend to the staffing of the organization

B. Plan organizational activities

C. Achieve the goals of the organization

D. Maintain the morale of employees

C. Achieve the goals of the organization

The Sustaining system consists of

A. The individual's family

B. The "helping" professions

C. Institutions of the larger society

D. A physiological system that sustains life

C. Institutions of the larger society

A social worker discovers that a nurse is giving more pain medication to a patient than the doctor has prescribed. What should the social worker do?

a. discuss the issue with the nurse

b. report the nurse immediately to the medical board

c. immediately tell the nurse's supervisor

d. tell the doctor

a. discuss the issue with the nurse

Of the following, which would be least important in the acculturation of an Asian girl in treatment with a social worker?

a. the wishes of her parents

b. the social worker's experience with similar situations

c. the social worker's skills

d. the girl's network of friends

d. the girl's network of friends

Acculturation: assimilation to a different culture, typically the dominant one.

The positive cultural value that is expressed in the ideals of "machismo" is:

a. masculinity

b. family provider and protector

c. power and control

d. cooperation

b. family provider and protector

Per Minuchin, psychosomatic families are most likely to be characterized by which of the following:

A. frequent intense open conflicts between family members

B. weak boundaries between family members

C. family roles that are inflexible and stereotyped

D. marked emotional distance between the husband and wife

B. weak boundaries between family members

A client expresses her disappointment at not being called back after a job interview and vents her anger at the job interviewer. She informs her social worker of this exchange. The social worker's best response is:

a. You have to be patient in a job search

b. I can see that you're upset about this

c. I wonder how you feel about this

d. I guess you're hurt and angry about not getting the job

d. I guess you're hurt and angry about not getting the job

While many variables affect suicidality among teenagers, which item below has been a particularly powerful predictor:

a. a recent parental divorce

b. a transfer to a new school

c. a history of occasional drug use

d. a change in family economic status

a. a recent parental divorce

Family dynamics and the stability of internal structure are the highest predictors of suicidality.

Mrs. W has a long history of alcohol abuse. Though she has made several failed attempts to quit, she is now convinced that alcohol is affecting her heart and liver and she decides to stop drinking. She refuses medical supervision. Several days after deciding to quit, she arrives at the clinic without making an appointment and demands to see her social worker. She is loud and demanding and seems disheveled and uncoordinated. She then abruptly leaves the clinic. The social worker might conclude that Mrs. W :

a. is going through alcohol withdrawal and needs medical attention

b. wants the social worker's help in managing her discomfort

c. is intoxicated

d. may be experiencing delusions

c. is intoxicated

Signs of intoxication include:

Exhibiting signs of irritability and extreme mood swings., Slurred speech, Lack of coordination, and Trouble with motor coordination or an inability to walk properly.

A is wrong: Withdrawal symptoms can include sweating, tremors, sleep problems, rapid heartbeat, nausea and vomiting, hallucinations, anxiety, restlessness, and possibly even seizures

Two social workers are in a crowded restaurant when one of the social worker's clients approaches them. What should the social worker do?

a. pretend he doesn't know the client

b. introduce the client as his friend to the other social worker

c. tell the client to leave them alone

d. tell the client he'll call him later

d. tell the client he'll call him later

Always follow the client's lead in public settings and then kindly divert the attention away from communicating in public. Keep client confidentiality without shaming or harming a client's ego.

A healthy couple has been referred to you because the woman is unable to have orgasms. The doctor that referred them states there are no obvious medical problems. You would first:

a. explain female anatomy

b. begin exploring the couple's relationship

c. find out what the couple has tried thus far to address the problem

d. do a genogram to explore family of origin issues

c. find out what the couple has tried thus far to address the problem

RU SAFE question

A is wrong because

- it is not in our scope of practice

- we have not assessed the situation to understand why this is happening

B may seem correct initially, but this is making A LOT of assumptions... maybe it is not a relationshional issue... we must assess first.

D is wrong because this is not a family origin issue.

A man dies and, after hearing of this, a relative living in another state experiences chest pains. Which of the following describes this reaction:

a. Projection

b. Reaction formation

c. Sublimation

d. Introjection

d. Introjection

this is the unconscious adoption of the ideas or attitudes of others.

A 40-year-old male client explains that he is seeking care because he suffers from panic attacks. He notes that he gets chills, nausea, dizziness, and experiences fear about once a day. A social worker's FIRST step with this client would be to

1. Teach relaxation therapy

2. Set goals for reduction of anxiety

3. Arrange for a doctor's appointment

4. Assess the client's current situation

3. Arrange for a doctor's appointment

RU SAFE

A fifteen year old girl has been sent home from school on three occasions for drinking alcohol at school. Each time, the mother becomes angry and threatens to punish the girl but is convinced by the father to give her another chance. Which of the following BEST characterizes the father's behavior in this situation?

a. triangulation

b. enabling

c. advocating

d. manipulating

b. enabling

Which of the following is NOT true about motivation to change?

A. Motivation fluctuates from one time to another.

B. Motivation can be increased by working to remove barriers to change.

C. Motivation is driven by hope or the belief that life can be different.

D. Motivation that is imposed by external forces is more salient than that which is intrinsic.

D. Motivation that is imposed by external forces is more salient than that which is intrinsic.

Evidence-based social work practice can BEST be defined as:

A. Interventions that a social worker has gained training and experience in delivering

B. Treatment that yields the most cost-effective outcomes according to a cost-benefit analysis

C. Decision making based on the conscientious, explicit, and judicious use of research knowledge, clinical expertise, social work values, and client wishes

D. Practice evaluations that adhere to scientific principles

C. Decision making based on the conscientious, explicit, and judicious use of research knowledge, clinical expertise, social work values, and client wishes

What are the stages of change in sequential order?

A. Precontemplation, preparation, contemplation, action, maintenance, and relapse

B. Preparation, action, precontemplation, contemplation, maintenance, and relapse

C. Preparation, precontemplation, contemplation, action, maintenance, and relapse

D. Precontemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, maintenance, and relapse

D. Precontemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, maintenance, and relapse

Which of the following is NOT an essential step in ethical problem solving?

A. Identifying the ethical standards that may be compromised

B. Determining whether there is an ethical dilemma

C. Weighing ethical issues in light of social work values and principles

D. Asking a supervisor to monitor practice to identify new ethical issues or dilemmas

D. Asking a supervisor to monitor practice to identify new ethical issues or dilemmas

A young boy is stopped by a police officer and claims that he is a member of the armed forces, though it is obvious that he is not. This assertion by the boy is MOST likely a:

A. Comorbid thought

B. Dissociation

C. Folie à deux

D. Delusion

D. Delusion

A social work administrator is having trouble finding a group home manager for a new program scheduled to open in 2 weeks. Further delays in locating staff will delay clients from moving into the program. The administrator temporarily hires her niece, who just graduated with a social work degree, for this position. This action is:

A. Ethical because the niece is clearly qualified for the position

B. Unethical because this is a conflict of interest

C. Ethical because the position is temporary and ensures clients get the services needed

D. Unethical because clients will experience staff turnover when a new manager is hired

B. Unethical because this is a conflict of interest

A social worker is interested in seeing the extent to which current clients are satisfied with a new relapse prevention program. The social worker distributes a client satisfaction survey to those in the program. The social worker then collects the surveys and analyzes the results that are presented to a management team in the agency. The social worker is conducting which type of evaluation?

A. Summative

B. Experimental

C. Quasi-experimental

D. Formative

D. Formative

Formative evaluations examine the process of delivering services, whereas summative evaluations examine the outcomes. Formative evaluations are ongoing processes that allow for feedback to be implemented during service delivery. These types of evaluations allow social workers to make changes as needed to help achieve program goals. Summative evaluations occur at the end of services and provide an overall description of their effectiveness. Summative evaluation examines outcomes to determine whether objectives were met.The design described is not experimental—which requires a control group and randomization of assignment—or quasi-experimental, which does not require randomization, but has more support for causal inferences than does preexperimental designs.

Which of the following is an example of social stratification?

A. A child is not included in group activities in school because of his or her poor social skills.

B. Children who are violent need to be segregated from their peers.

C. A child with social deficits is assumed to be delayed in cognition without additional assessment.

D. Children from affluent households receive a better public education than those from low-income households.

D. Children from affluent households receive a better public education than those from low-income households.

Stratification refers to structured inequality of entire categories of people in society who have unequal access to social rewards. Stratification applies to individuals based on ethnic and racial background, social status, and/or other factors.

During an intake interview, a client reports that she is extremely depressed and has self-destructive thoughts. She has had prior suicide attempts, but tells the social worker not to worry as she won't "do it again." The social worker should FIRST:

A. Tell the client that her decision not to harm herself is a good one

B. Explore with the client what is causing her depression

C. Conduct a safety assessment

D. Refer the client to a psychiatrist for a medication evaluation

C. Conduct a safety assessment

A client with a Social Anxiety Disorder will MOST likely be prescribed which of the following medications to take on an ongoing basis?

A. Zoloft (sertraline)

B. Mellaril (thioridazine)

C. Thorazine (chlorpromazine)

D. Valium (diazepam)

A. Zoloft (sertraline)

SW appointed by court to conduct child custody eval for a couple divorcing. Mom reports husband as verbally abusive, controlling & neglectful to kids. She says that the kids have missed many school days due to dad's negligence. Dad states that mom is lazy, irresponsible and cannot meet childrens basic needs, i.e. She does not send in lunch. In order to BEST evaluate the legitimacy of the information, the social worker should:

A. Ask the husband and wife to put their allegations in writing and sign them, attesting to their accuracy

B. Determine whether the husband or wife have had any past instances with being untruthful

C. Always speak to the husband and wife together so that they are more likely to be honest

D. Obtain information from school personnel and records after obtaining parental consent

D. Obtain information from school personnel and records after obtaining parental consent

A social worker is facilitating a psychotherapy group for individuals who are in recovery from substance abuse. After group, a client mentions that she has been having problems dealing with job stress without the use of substances. In order to meet this client's needs, the social worker should:

A. Recommend that the client see the social worker individually in addition to the group therapy because she appears to need some additional support

B. Suggest that the client bring this topic up in the group next week to see if others are having similar problems

C. Evaluate whether group therapy is the best treatment modality for the client due to the issue being mentioned to the social worker outside of the group context

D. Determine if there is an employee assistance program in the client's work setting to assist

B. Suggest that the client bring this topic up in the group next week to see if others are having similar problems

There are many different types of groups that social workers lead. The type of group MOST associated with self-improvement and opportunities to expand self-awareness is

A. The Therapeutic Group

B. The Socialization Group

C. The Growth Group

D. The Recreational Group

C. The Growth Group -- This group's primary objective is to help members reach their full potential by expanding self-awareness and focusing on self-improvement. It provides a space for personal development and insight into one's own behaviors and attitudes

A Social Worker is working with a Muslim client who expresses discomfort with meeting in a private office space due to religious or cultural reasons. The client suggests meeting in a more open setting, such as a community center. What is the Social Worker's BEST response?

A) Explain that therapy is most effective in a private, confidential setting

B) Acknowledge the client's concerns and explore alternative meeting locations

C) Insist on keeping sessions in the office to maintain professional boundaries

D) Suggest that the client reconsider their discomfort and discuss it in session

B) Acknowledge the client's concerns and explore alternative meeting locations

A Social Worker realizes they unconsciously assume that all Latino families have a strong sense of collectivism and family involvement. What is the MOST appropriate next step?

A) Continue working with clients but keep their assumptions in mind

B) Seek supervision and cultural competency training to address their bias

C) Avoid working with Latino clients to prevent unintentional bias

D) Ask each Latino client directly if they value collectivism before proceeding

B) Seek supervision and cultural competency training to address their bias

A client who speaks limited English has been struggling to understand the Social Worker's recommendations. The client's teenage child offers to interpret during the session. What is the BEST course of action?

A) Accept the offer, as the child understands both languages

B) Use simple language and gestures instead of an interpreter

C) Arrange for a professional interpreter to ensure accurate communication

D) Provide written materials and allow the client to figure out the details at home

C) Arrange for a professional interpreter to ensure accurate communication -- Using a professional interpreter ensures confidentiality, accuracy, and neutrality. Relying on family members, especially minors, may lead to misinterpretation, personal bias, or withholding of sensitive information. It is always best practice to use a qualified interpreter to facilitate ethical and effective communication.

A client from a Native American background expresses interest in incorporating traditional spiritual healing practices, such as ceremonies and herbal remedies, into their treatment plan. What is the Social Worker's BEST response?

A) Inform the client that traditional healing practices are not evidence-based

B) Encourage the client to focus solely on clinical interventions

C) Discuss how traditional practices can be integrated into the treatment plan

D) Suggest that the client try traditional practices first before seeking professional help

C) Discuss how traditional practices can be integrated into the treatment plan

📌 Explanation: Cultural competency means respecting and incorporating a client's beliefs whenever possible. Rather than dismissing traditional practices, a Social Worker should collaborate with the client to integrate cultural healing approaches in an ethical and effective way.

A Social Worker is meeting with a client from an Asian background who mentions feeling frustrated at work because colleagues frequently say, "Your English is so good!" even though they were born and raised in the United States. How should the Social Worker respond?

A) Reassure the client that their coworkers probably meant it as a compliment

B) Explore the client's feelings and validate their experience

C) Suggest that the client ignore such comments and focus on their work

D) Advise the client to educate their coworkers about microaggressions

B) Explore the client's feelings and validate their experience

📌 Explanation: The comment the client is experiencing is a microaggression, a subtle but harmful remark that reflects unconscious bias. A culturally competent Social Worker should validate the client's experience and explore their feelings rather than dismissing their concerns or assuming intent.

Per Minuchin, psychosomatic families are most likely to be characterized by which of the following:

A. frequent intense open conflicts between family members

B. weak boundaries between family members

C. family roles that are inflexible and stereotyped

D. marked emotional distance between the husband and wife

B. weak boundaries between family members

A client expresses her disappointment at not being called back after a job interview and vents her anger at the job interviewer. She informs her social worker of this exchange. The social worker's best response is:

a. You have to be patient in a job search

b. I can see that you're upset about this

c. I wonder how you feel about this

d. I guess you're hurt and angry about not getting the job

d. I guess you're hurt and angry about not getting the job

A. is wrong because you are giving advice (FARM GRITS ROAD)

B is wrong because the client "vents her anger." Do not assume what is not in the question. Nowhere does she say she is upset.

C is wrong because venting does not always require further analysis, but it is important for SWs to clarify what the client means.

A husband has been committed to a psychiatric hospital as a result of violent rages and assaultive behaviors directed toward his wife. In speaking with the social worker, the husband blames his wife and threatens to harm her. Later he retracts his threat and asks the social worker not to mention it to anyone. The social worker should FIRST:

A notify the police

B document the threat and notify the treatment team

C request psychological testing to assess degree of danger

D explore the client's ambivalence and develop a treatment plan

B document the threat and notify the treatment team

Because the client made a credible threat of harm toward his wife, the social worker's first responsibility is to ensure appropriate clinical intervention and communicate the risk to the treatment team. Documentation and consultation are immediate professional duties in an inpatient setting.

A (notify the police) may become necessary if there is a clear duty to warn/protect under state law and the threat is imminent, but it is not necessarily the first step in this hospital context.

C (request psychological testing) delays immediate risk management.

D (explore ambivalence and develop a treatment plan) is therapeutically useful later, but safety procedures come first.

A social history with a 52-year-old female admitted following a suicide attempt reveals that she had been sexually abused for six months by a relative when she was 12. In completing the social history, the social worker should NEXT:

A take a complete sexual hi

story

B obtain confirmation of this abuse from other family members

C determine how the abuse contributes to the client's presenting problem

D acknowledge but give little weight to the information since it is not directly related to the immediate problem

C determine how the abuse contributes to the client's presenting problem

If a member of a therapy group breaches the confidentiality of another group member, the social worker should:

A have a joint interview with the two clients involved

B have an individual session with the client who has been betrayed

C terminate the client who breached confidentiality

D discuss the breach of confidentiality in the group

D discuss the breach of confidentiality in the group

An elderly client is blind and confined to bed. Assistance with daily living skills by a neighbor has allowed the client to remain at home. However, the social worker is suspicious that the neighbor is taking the client's money and providing less than adequate care. The client wishes to remain at home, continuing the arrangement with the neighbor. The home health staff is concerned that interference in the situation will damage rapport with the client. The social worker's FIRST responsibility is to:

A discuss the situation with the agency's lawyer

B report to adult protective services

C confront the neighbor about the suspicions

D work with the client to accept alternatives

B report to adult protective services

An 18-year-old single mother has a 20-month-old child placed in foster care for six months because of neglect. The mother has followed her reunification plan, and the foster care plan is to return the child to the home. The foster care social worker learns two weeks before the hearing that the mother is several months pregnant. The worker's BEST option is to request that the:

A mother regain legal and physical custody and close the case

B child remain in foster care until after the birth of the baby

C physical custody be returned to the mother and the family situation be monitored by the agency for six months

D court date be postponed until the baby is born

C physical custody be returned to the mother and the family situation be monitored by the agency for six months

A social worker begins working with a community that has experienced high levels ofcrime. She has identified several problems in the community through conversations andmeetings with community leaders. One of the leaders is putting pressure on the groupto start "making things better" so the neighborhood can be safer. What should the socialworker do NEXT?

A.Mobilize citizens who are concerned to vote on a strategic plan

B.Set goals with community leaders around reducing crime

C.Put together an action plan that works to reduce crime

D.Ask local police officers to set up a neighborhood watch

B.Set goals with community leaders around reducing crime

Rationale: The next step in community mobilization is to set goals and objectives around the identified problem

A social worker in private practice is meeting with a client for an intake. The clientstates that she is depressed and feels that she is alone in the world. What should thesocial work do NEXT in this situation?

A.Tell the client that she is not alone and point out the support she does have

B.Acknowledge the client's feelings of depression and loneliness

C.Continue to collect information needed for the biopsychosocial evaluation

D.Create a safety plan to ensure the client's safety

b-Rationale: It is important to engage the client and build rapport by acknowledging her feelings. A safety plan is NOT YET needed as the client has not expressed suicidal thoughts or ideations.

You are working in a foster care agency with a potential foster care family. The familywill be fostering a newborn who was exposed to drug and alcohol abuse in utero. Thefamily asks the social worker what this will mean for the baby. What would be the BESTresponse for the social worker to give the family?

A.Assure the family that with their support and caregiving they can reverse theeffects of the exposure with love and nurture

B.Ask the family if knowing this background on the baby changes their decision onfostering

C.Provide information on the potential effects of drug and alcohol exposure fornewborns and let the family know support and resources will be provided ifneeded

D.Suggest that the family join a support group for foster parents of newborns

c-Rationale: The social worker should educate the family on potential effects ofdrug exposure during pregnancy and offer support and resources.

You are working in a mental health agency with a 26 year old female. You have beenworking with this client for 5 months. The client was prescribed an antidepressant fromher doctor three weeks prior. During a weekly session the client states that she feels herantidepressant makes her tired and "out of it". She states she will stop taking themedicine due to these side effects. How should the social worker respond?

A.Encourage the client to speak with her doctor before stopping the medication

B.Educate the client on the proper use of the medication

C.Explain to the client that the symptoms may be due to the depression and not themedication

D.Ask the client to bring the medication to the next appointment so you can furtherassess

a-Rationale: Anytime a client discusses medication, they should speak directly totheir doctor. It is not in our scope of practice to give medication advice.

A therapist is working with a client and becomes more and more frustrated with theclient's resistance in the session. The therapist stops the session and states that theyshould pick up next week as the time being used is not effective. This is an example of?

A.Transference

B.Reframing

C.Resistance

D.Countertransference

d-Rationale: Countertransference can be defined as the therapist's emotionalreaction to the client. The therapist is having a strong reaction and is beingaffected by the client.

You are completing an intake w/ an elderly man & his daughter at an assisted living center. The daughter states that she wants her father to move into an assisted living facility as he is no longer able to take care of himself. When you inquire further, itis noted the father is able to grocery shop, attend appointments and pay bills on his own. The father has high blood pressure and is @ risk for heart conditions. When asked ab his living preference he states, "I am not ready to move out of my home, I havelived there for 50 years and don't want to leave." What should the social worker do?

A.Encourage the man to consider his daughter's concerns and consider moving into the facility

B.Acknowledge the man's statements and explain that he is welcome to inquireabout the facility when he is ready

C.Tell the man about the amenities the facility has to offer and explain how much he will enjoy the activities and other reside

b-Rationale: The client's right to self determination should be upheld. There is noindication that he is unable to make decisions on his own.

What is the best way to ensure family members understand and respect other familymember's points of view in family therapy sessions?

A.Ask the family members to remain silent when one person is talking

B.Encourage the family members to discuss their issues and speak their mindoutside of sessions

C.Ask members to repeat back and summarize what they hear the other familymembers stating

D.Encourage individual therapy first before moving to family therapy

c-Rationale: Asking family members to repeat back and summarize what the otherfamily members are saying deepens active listening and understanding.

A social worker is contacted by an insurance company to confirm the client'sparticipation in services. The social worker has already received verbal consent from the client to release information. What would be the MOST appropriate response fromthe social worker?

A.Inform the client the insurance company is verifying services and obtain writtenconsent to release information

B.Give the information to the insurance company since consent has already beenconfirmed

C.Consult the situation with your supervisor

D.Tell the insurance they will need to speak with the billing department directly

a-Rationale: We cannot release records without a release of information and writtenconsent directly from the client. Verbal consent is not enough as it will not standin a court of law.

You are working in a school setting as a clinician. You are observing a student for abehavior assessment. During the assessment you witness the teacher using corporalpunishment with a student. What would be the BEST step for the social worker to take?

A.Document the incident in writing and report it to the principal

B.Call the police to intervene

C.Ask the principal for the parent's contact information so you can report what youwitnessed

D.Immediately report the incident to the principal and inform them that you mustmake a CPS report

d-Rationale: The use of this type of punishment would be considered abuse andneeds to be reported to administration as well as CPS.

A social worker in a community recreation center conducts an initial interview with ateenager on the second visit. The social worker concludes that the presenting problemsinvolve the teen's need to get a job to meet personal needs. What should the socialworker do NEXT?

A.Inform the client that consent will be needed to proceed with treatment

B.Consult with the supervisor to determine if consent is needed

C.Discuss treatment planning and next steps with the client

D.Look up job resources for the client

c-Rationale: After engagement and assessment in the helping process, thetherapist would begin planning for treatment. Consent would have been given inthe first appointment.

A social worker is having an initial meeting with a client who seeks treatment tohelp improve interpersonal relationships. The client states that she has tried therapybefore but her previous therapist "didn't care about her." When the social workerinquires further the client states that the previous worker did not respond to calls or textsand only would speak to her during working hours. What should social work do NEXT?

A.Ask the client her expectations of communication with the therapist

B.Go over confidentiality and privacy with the client

C.Explore the client's feelings towards the past therapist in further detail

D.Continue to collect more information about the client's reason for enteringtherapy

a-Rationale: It is clear that the client struggles to maintain boundaries and hasunrealistic expectations of the therapist/client relationship. Asking and clarifyingexpectations is important in the initial meeting.

You are working in an outpatient setting with a client who has been seeing you foranxiety and depression. The client had previously been hospitalized due to suicidalideations several months prior. During the session the client states that he is feeling"great" and feels he no longer needs therapy. He states he also needs to leave thesession early because he needs to stop by his friend's house because he is giving himhis dog as a present. What should the social worker do NEXT?

A.Ask the client if he has any thoughts of hurting himself or a plan to self harm

B.Respect the right to self determination and let the client terminate services

C.Process the feelings around termination with the client

D.Initiate an involuntary hospitalization for the client as his behavior is unsafe

a-Rationale: Clients that have previously been very depressed and then suddenlyshow increased energy are more likely to engage in suicide. Also, giving awayprized possession may be a signal of suicidality.

You are a school social worker at an urban elementary school. You are contactedby teachers because a 10 year old, fourth grade male, is having difficulty in classes.

The teachers report that the student is failing to turn in homework and has becomedisengaged in class.The teachers have spoken with the parents who also report theyare concerned because the student struggles at home with written assignments andrefuses to engage in work. When the social worker speaks to the student he states "Ihate school, it is just so hard." What would be the MOST appropriate step for the socialworker to take?

A.Connect the student with a peer mentor to help with his work

B.Refer the student to the school psychologist for further assessment

C.Discuss with the parents the option of retaining the student to recoup academicskill

D.Speak with the principal about next steps for the student

b-Rationale: The social worker has already spoken to the teacher, parent andstudent. It is clear that there is something more intensive happening with thestudent that should be assessed by the school psychologist.

You are completing an intake with a 36 year old woman. The woman reports anxietyand depression after having her baby 4 months prior. You move forward withcompleting a biopsychosocial assessment. Which of the following pieces of informationwould NOT be included in this assessment.

A.Information regarding the client's pregnancy

B.Present level of functioning, including a mental status exam

C.The client's insurance information for billing

D.The clinician's assessment of the client's presentation and presenting problem

c-Rationale: Insurance information is not included in a biopsychosocialassessment.

What is the ethical and legal responsibility of social workers as mandated reporters?

A.Ask for qualifying information in detail to determine if abuse and neglect hasoccurred

B.Report any suspicions of abuse and neglect to CPS and let them decide nextsteps

C.Only report to CPS if we witnessed abuse or neglect first hand

D.Report substantiated reports of abuse and neglect and let CPS decide next steps

b-Rationale: It is our duty to report any suspicions of abuse or neglect to CPS.Once we report CPS will determine next steps (if any). We do not have to witnessthe abuse and we should not ask additional questions as they may be considered"leading questions."

A social worker is assigned to work with a 19 year old single mother. The mother has difficulty controlling her daughter who continues to act out aggressively and impulsively at school. The problem began when the mother moved out of her parent's home who were helping with caretaking responsibilities. What should the social worker do to begin treating the mother?

A.Determine if the mother is able to care for her child independently

B.Meet with the school to determine a behavior intervention plan for the child

C.Begin building rapport with the mother to help her feel empowered to parent thechild

D.Determine how the mother can get support from her parents with caretaking responsibilities

c-Rationale: The first step in the helping process is to begin with engagement. Thisincludes building rapport with the client and meeting them where they are at.

Which of the following is NOT an assumption of Bowen Family Therapy?

A.The family is a unit with patterns that exists through multiple generations

B.Family members should be viewed as individuals in isolation and their problemsshould be dealt with individually

C.Treatment is focused on family relationships rather than on presenting symptoms

D.Differentiation depends on the person's ability to form boundaries with familymembers

b-Rationale: Bowen Family Therapy deals with families as a unit. Treatment is notdone individually.

You begin working with a court mandated client who is referred to you after gettingin several violent physical altercations. You have been seeing the client for 3 weeks andhe is guarded, defensive and is resistant to discuss the root of his anger. What would bethe best therapy model to use with the client?

A.Motivational Interviewing

B.Attachment Based Therapy

C.Cognitive Behavior Therapy

D.Narrative Therapy

a-Rationale: Motivational Interviewing is good for clients who are resistant ordefensive. It is client centered and focuses on eliciting change in behavior bymeeting the client where they are at.

A 6-year-old client in play therapy repeatedly acts out themes of abandonment using dolls. The therapist's BEST response is to:

A. Call CPS due to possible signs of child neglect

B. Redirect the child to a different, happier activity to increase positive emotions from the child

C. Track and reflect the child's play. without immediate interpretation

D. Ask the child about a possible trauma history

C. Track and reflect the child's play. without immediate interpretation

Which term describes a test that produces consistent results over time, in severaldifferent trials with the same variables?

A.Reliability

B.Validity

C.Process consistency

D.Mixed methods consistency

a-Rationale: Reliability is consistency across time (test-retest reliability), acrossitems (internal consistency), and across researchers (interrater reliability).

You are working with a 17 year old client in an outpatient setting. The client has ahistory of impulsive behavior. The client has consented to her own treatment. In

session, the client reveals that she has just found out she is pregnant. She states,"Please don't tell my parents, they will disown me." What should the social worker doFIRST?

A.Inform the client that she has to disclose the information to her parents.

B.Acknowledge the client's statement and let her know it is her decision when totell her parents

C.Clarify with the client what she means when she says her parents will disown her

D.Acknowledge the client's statement and tell that as a mandated reporter youmust report the pregnancy to CPS since she is a minor

b-Answer: Teenagers have the right to self determination and confidentiality whenthey have consented to treatment on their own. There is nothing that states theunborn child is in danger so a call to CPS would not be warranted at this time.Unless the question stem states that you are in a jurisdiction where disclosinginformation to a parent or guardian is necessary, we do not need to disclose thepregnancy to her parents. We would work with the client to reveal the informationin a time and place she feels comfortable.

You are working in a community based setting. You find another social worker'scase notes lying on the printer where other people can see patient information. Whatwould be the BEST course of action?

A.Leave the paperwork there as the social worker will come and retrieve thedocuments

B.Report to the supervisor that confidentiality and privacy are being breached bythe colleague

C.Deliver the documents directly to the colleague and let them know that theycontain revealing information

D.Tell the colleague to be more careful and ask her to shred the documents

c-Rationale: If we have an issue with a colleague we should go directly to them. Wewant to assume best intent from the colleague so we should deliver thedocuments. We want to ensure the documents do not get in the hands of thewrong person. We need to let the client know why we are hand delivering them(to protect confidentiality).

A client with major depressive disorder tells the social worker:

"Sometimes I think everyone would be better off if I disappeared. I've thought about using the gun in my garage, but I would never actually do it because my daughter needs me."

What should the social worker do FIRST?

A. Contact the client's emergency contact

B. Create a safety plan with the client

C. Conduct a more detailed suicide risk assessment

D. Arrange immediate psychiatric hospitalization

C. Conduct a more detailed suicide risk assessment

The exam LOVES the distinction between:

passive thoughts

active ideation

plan

intent

means

protective factors

This client:

has ideation

has a method/means

BUT intent is unclear

protective factor exists

You do NOT jump immediately to hospitalization or breach confidentiality before assessing further.

The FIRST step is always:

assess lethality/risk more completely.

A 9-year-old client tells a school social worker:

"My mom's boyfriend gets really mad and punched me in the stomach last night. Please don't tell anyone because I'll get in trouble."

What should the social worker do FIRST?

A. Explore the child's fear of consequences

B. Assess for immediate safety concerns

C. Inform the mother about the disclosure

D. Explain limits of confidentiality

D. Explain limits of confidentiality

when abuse is disclosed and the client may not understand confidentiality → explain limits FIRST.

A social worker notices feeling unusually protective toward a teenage client who reminds her of her younger sister.

What should the social worker do FIRST?

A. Transfer the client to another clinician

B. Explore the feelings in supervision

C. Increase professional distance with the client

D. Discuss the feelings with the client

B. Explore the feelings in supervision

ASWB heavily favors:

self-awareness

supervision/consultation

least disruptive intervention first

Recognizing countertransference is GOOD insight.

You do not automatically transfer.

An older adult client with mild neurocognitive disorder wants to give a new romantic partner access to all financial accounts.

The client appears oriented and understands the consequences of the decision.

What should the social worker do?

A. Contact adult protective services

B. Notify the client's adult children

C. Respect the client's decision

D. Recommend guardianship evaluatio

C

High-yield concept:

Bad decisions ≠ incapacity.

The exam tests whether you can tolerate client autonomy.

The client:

understands

appreciates consequences

is oriented

Therefore autonomy prevails.

During group therapy, one member monopolizes discussions and other members become increasingly quiet.

What should the social worker do FIRST?

A. Meet individually with the monopolizing member

B. Redirect discussion to quieter members

C. Establish stricter group rules

D. Process the group interaction openly

Correct Answer: D

Why:

This is classic group work.

The BEST clinical intervention:

use the here-and-now process.

ASWB loves "process the dynamics."

A client states:

"My wife says my drinking is ruining our marriage, but I think she exaggerates."

The client is MOST likely in which stage?

A. Preparation

B. Contemplation

C. Precontemplation

D. Action

Correct Answer: C

Key distinction:

Precontemplation = little/no recognition

Contemplation = ambivalence + acknowledgment

The client minimizes problem entirely.