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Quiz Session - Attempts With Random Questions

ASWB Advanced Generalist Exam Questions

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1.

Which of the following statements is accurate regarding the family life cycle? 

  • Skills not learned in one stage can be learned in later stages 

  • Each stage must be completed before moving to the next 

  • Stages vary widely from family to family 

  • Skills not learned in one stage cannot be learned in later stages 

Correct answer: Skills not learned in one stage can be learned in later stages 

The family life cycle is a way of conceptualizing the various stages that take a family through its development and growth. Much like Erikson's stages of psychosocial development, they are ways of describing the set of tests, challenges, and skills that occur at specific times. As in Erikson's model, skills not learned in one stage can be learned in later stages.

Generally, families progress through stages without real completion of a previous stage. Although families vary widely, the model's successive stages remain constant.

2.

Which of the following does family life cycle theory suggest? 

  • Successful transition through stages may prevent disease and emotional disorders

  • Successful transition through stages ensures positive health outcomes 

  • Successful transition through stages inhibits the development of mental illness

  • Successful transition through stages has no meaningful effect on health outcomes

Correct answer: Successful transition through stages may prevent disease and emotional disorders

The family life cycle is a multi-stage process marking the major tests and transitions of a family's experience. The theory suggests that successful transition through the stages of the family life cycle may prevent disease and emotional disorders. 

This theory does not suggest that positive health outcomes are a necessary result of successful transition through stages. It does not suggest that successful transition through the stages inhibits the development of mental illness per se, only those aspects of mental disorders that are characterized by emotional dysregulation, and not in all cases. The theory does suggest a positive impact on health outcomes from successful navigation of the stages of the family life cycle. 

3.

A client has been meeting with the same social worker for the past five years to deal with her childhood abuse. During her scheduled appointments, the client would sometimes bring homemade snacks for the office staff. During today’s appointment, the client brought her social worker a new designer purse as thanks for years of assistance.

How should the social worker respond to the client?

  • Kindly decline the gift and explain that it would violate social work ethics

  • Accept the gift and send the client a thank-you card

  • Suggest the client keeps the gift for herself

Correct answer: Kindly decline the gift and explain that it would violate social work ethics

Since the client has been allowed to bring homemade snacks for the last five years, she may not realize that the designer purse is inappropriate. However, the homemade snacks do not hold the monetary value that a designer purse does, so the social worker needs to explain why they cannot accept this gift.

The social worker could suggest that the client keep the purse for herself; however, that would not educate the client on why the social worker cannot accept the gift. It would be unethical for the social worker to accept the gift.

4.

Which of the following family roles is seen as having the LEAST productive interaction with family members?

  • Lost child

  • Scapegoat

  • Family hero

  • Mascot

Correct answer: Lost child

In the standard model of dysfunctional families, the "lost child" is the role seen as having the fewest and the least healthy interactions with the greater family system. This child is often shy by temperament or becomes a loner.

The other answers are incorrect, as no other dysfunctional family role has as few positive interactions with the greater system as the "lost child."

5.

Which of the following is NOT a stage of community-based decision-making?

  • Consensus

  • Orientation

  • Conflict

  • Reinforcement

Correct answer: Consensus

The stages of community decision-making are orientation, conflict, emergence, and reinforcement. Consensus is not a recognized stage in community decision-making.

The other options are incorrect, as they are all stages in community decision-making.

6.

A client starts seeing a social worker to discuss issues she has with her mother. During the client’s first session, she talks about her daughter’s new boyfriend, her husband’s gambling problem, and her obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Which of the following options represents what the social worker should do?

  • Help the client prioritize the issues she would like help with

  • Ask the client to elaborate on her husband’s gambling problem

  • Take notes and set up another session to discuss the client’s issues with her mother

  • Have the client elaborate on her obsessive-compulsive disorder

Correct answer: Help the client prioritize the issues she would like help with

Helping the client prioritize the issues she would like help with will keep the client from feeling overwhelmed.

The other options are all actions that could be done, but they should wait until the social worker and the client identify the issue that takes priority.

7.

During an initial evaluation, a client informs the social worker about many of his personal and interpersonal problems. The client explains that he has been treated by several professionals in the past but never experienced any results. He states that he knows the social worker will be able to provide him with adequate treatment.

During the initial session, what is the MOST important task for the social worker?

  • Inform the client of the boundaries in the social worker/client relationship

  • Obtain the client’s previous treatment history

  • Inform the client of the treatment goals that have been set

Correct answer: Inform the client of the boundaries in the social worker/client relationship

Since the client feels that the social worker will be able to provide adequate treatment, it is most important for the social worker to inform the client of the boundaries of the social worker/client relationship.

It is also important for the social worker to understand the client’s treatment history, but it is not the most important factor at this time. The client’s understanding of the boundaries will allow the social worker to discuss the treatment goals with the client at a later time.

8.

Which of the following types of medication is MOST likely to be administered in an injectable form?

  • Antipsychotics

  • Mood stabilizers

  • Stimulants

Correct answer: Antipsychotics

Long-acting doses of antipsychotics are common in the treatment of thought disorders, as they assist with therapeutic adherence.

The other options are incorrect, as they are not as likely (if at all) to be administered through injection.

9.

Upon reviewing a client’s medical history, a social worker identifies that the client was on Cymbalta for several years but has recently been switched to Zoloft.

For which condition is this client MOST likely being treated?

  • Depression

  • Schizophrenia

  • Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder

  • Intellectual disability

Correct answer: Depression

Cymbalta and Zoloft are both antidepressants, which are used to treat depression.

Antidepressants are not used to treat schizophrenia or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. There are no known effective medication-based interventions for intellectual disabilities.

10.

Which of the following is a treatment modality designed to recreate family roles in a group context?

  • Psychodrama

  • Psychoeducation

  • Psychoanalysis

  • Cognitive behavioral therapy

Correct answer: Psychodrama

Psychodrama is a treatment modality that recreates family roles in a group context.

The other answers are incorrect. Psychoeducation is helping clients with information. Psychoanalysis refers to a process of examining inner conflicts. Cognitive behavioral therapy is a modality that seeks to correct patterns of thinking.

11.

On which level does transference occur?

  • Unconscious

  • Conscious

  • Subconscious

  • Preconscious

Correct answer: Unconscious

Transference, or the "extra" feelings that a client brings to the helping relationship, happens on the unconscious level. Clients are often unaware of it until it is pointed out to them.

The other options are incorrect, as transference does not take place at any of those levels of consciousness.

12.

Which of the following stages of change involves the first movement toward change?

  • Contemplation

  • Action

  • Preparation

  • Precontemplation

Correct answer: Contemplation

Contemplation is the first stage of change, involving positive movement toward change, as it is the first time a person is considering making a change.

The other options are incorrect. The action stage represents actual changes. The preparation stage represents efforts toward concrete change. Precontemplation is not concerned with change.

13.

An emotional new client informs a social worker that her eight-year-old daughter is terminally ill. The client’s husband left her and the family shortly after their daughter’s diagnosis. The client states that she doesn’t know how to deal with her daughter’s illness and the loss of her husband, and then she begins to cry.

What should the social worker do FIRST?

  • Acknowledge the client's overwhelmed feelings 

  • Discuss the client’s family support system

  • Explore the reasons for the husband’s departure

Correct answer: Acknowledge the client's overwhelmed feelings 

Since the client is feeling emotional and overwhelmed, the social worker should start by acknowledging the client’s feelings. This is an example of the supportive communication that is essential to strength-based and resilience theories of treatment. This will also accomplish the objective of forming a partnership and establishing rapport. 

The other options may be helpful directions for the social worker to take with the client, but not until after the client’s feelings are acknowledged.

14.

A client’s desires are consciously intolerable and cannot be directly realized, so they divert these desires into creative activities that are acceptable.

Which of the following defense mechanisms is the client using?

  • Sublimation

  • Displacement

  • Projection

  • Reaction formation

Correct answer: Sublimation

Sublimation is a defense mechanism that allows an individual to act out unacceptable impulses or desires by converting these behaviors into a more acceptable form. Sublimation develops over a long period.

Displacement is a defense mechanism in which a client transfers actions from a desired target to a substitute target when the first target is not permitted or not available.

Projection is a defense mechanism used by clients who choose to reject the unacceptable aspects of their personality. Projection occurs when someone assigns their insecurities to others and, in the process, alienates themselves.

Reaction formation is a defense mechanism used by clients who behave in ways that oppose an original unconscious trait.

15.

Which of the following is no longer a current diagnosis in the DSM-5?

  • Mental retardation

  • Malingering

  • Global developmental delay

  • Tourette's disorder

Correct answer: Mental retardation

The label of "mental retardation" was changed in the DSM-5 to intellectual disability.

The other answers are incorrect, as they are all current diagnoses in the DSM-5.

16.

As a social worker, which of the following options poses the GREATEST opportunity for an ethical breach?

  • Buying a client a present for their birthday

  • Discussing a sporting event with a client

  • Providing a client with reading material about their diagnosis

  • Calling the client by their first name

Correct answer: Buying a client a present for their birthday

Social workers must always maintain appropriate boundaries with clients.

Even though buying a birthday present is a thoughtful gesture, you do not know how the client will perceive this action; therefore, it should be avoided. 

It is perfectly natural to discuss a neutral issue like sports with a client to help them feel comfortable. You can ask a client if you can call them by their first name, but it is not an ethical breach if you do not.

17.

Which of the following is NOT a stage in the three-phase model of trauma-informed care?

  • Empowering and growth

  • Safety and stabilization

  • Mourning and remembrance

  • Reconnection and reintegration

Correct answer: Empowering and growth

The three-phase model of trauma-informed care involves three stages: 

  • safety and stabilization 
  • mourning and remembrance 
  • reconnection and reintegration

Empowering and growth is not a stage in this process.

The other options are incorrect, as they are all stages in this model.

18.

A military squad is an example of what type of group?

  • Structured

  • Collective

  • Intimate

  • Intimate structured

Correct answer: Structured

A military squad is an example of a structured group, as structured groups are organized and integrated connections with other individuals.

An audience at a theater is an example of a collective group. Lovers are an example of an intimate group. Families are an example of an intimate structured group.

19.

What is the purpose of asking open-ended questions during the assessment phase?

  • It builds rapport and trust

  • It allows the client greater freedom to answer honestly

  • It keeps the client alert and responsive 

  • It is the best way to determine if the provided information is useful

Correct answer: It builds rapport and trust

Obtaining difficult or sensitive information can be challenging, particularly in cases where the therapeutic relationship is new. One effective method to obtain this information is to ask a series of open-ended, nonthreatening questions. This process ideally allows a therapeutic bond to form and will establish rapport and trust that will support all future therapeutic transactions.

The point of asking this type of question at this time is not to allow the client greater freedom per se, nor is it a test to keep the client alert and responsive. It does not determine whether the provided information is useful. 

20.

Which of the following would be MOST appropriate in the stage of trauma-informed care known as mourning and remembrance?

  • Psychoeducation

  • Safety planning

  • Securing shelter

  • Self-care strategies

Correct answer: Psychoeducation

The second stage of trauma-informed care—mourning and remembrance—is designed to allow the client to begin processing traumatic events. Part of this stage would be psychoeducation, and other items can be important in this stage as the client attempts to discover their new baseline of "normal."

The other options are incorrect. Safety planning and securing shelter would be more characteristic of the first stage of trauma-informed care, which is safety and stabilization. Self-care strategies and other maintenance strategies would more likely be a part of the third stage, reconnection and reintegration.

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