ASWB BSW Exam Questions

Correct answer: Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines, a kind of anxiety medication, has a high potential for abuse.

The other answer options are incorrect. Antipsychotics, antidepressants, and tricyclics are not particularly associated with a high potential for abuse.

Correct answer: Countertransference should end the client relationship

Countertransference is the complementary phenomenon to transference, both first identified and described by Sigmund Freud. Both involve a member of the provider-client relationship bringing feelings from other relationships into the therapeutic arena. In the case of transference, this is the client. In the case of countertransference, this is the social worker. Both can exist at the same time and often do.

Though acting on the identified feelings for either party is usually not wise, the existence of the phenomenon should not necessarily end the client-provider relationship. It can be useful in discovering underlying emotional conflicts.

Correct answer: Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory

The MMPI, or Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory, is a personality test that assesses for potential psychopathology in an objective manner. It includes true or false questions and is a self-report test. 

The Rorschach Inkblot Test is another perception-type test that involves having a client briefly look at inkblots and state what they see. The MBTI, or Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, assesses personality in four primary domains, including introversion versus extroversion, sensation versus intuition, thinking versus feeling, and judging versus perceiving. The Stanford-Binet Intelligence Test measures cognitive functioning. 

Correct answer: The physical environment can impact client beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors

Social workers have paid much more attention to the influences of the social environment, as opposed to the physical, on client beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors. However, there is a growing shift, and social workers are recognizing the importance of physical and environmental issues such as water shortages, global warming, depletion of environmental resources, and catastrophic weather patterns on human well-being. Social workers are increasingly being called upon to develop and promote sustainable environmental practices.

The remaining answer options are incorrect. It is not necessarily more lucrative to be employed in the environmental than the behavioral health field; environmental advocates do not have any higher need for mental health interventions than others, and the federal government does not require social workers to work toward environmental justice.

Correct answer: Desire to harm others

Trauma is a complicated phenomenon affecting the entire organism. Thoughts, physical health, and behaviors are commonly affected. Though there is some truth to the idea that some abused individuals go on to abuse others, in most cases trauma seems to be directed inward and results in behaviors that are more self-harming in nature. A desire to harm others is, of course, a very serious sign of pathology, and usually suggests a more fundamental problem such as a personality disorder or psychosis.

The other answers are incorrect. A feeling of powerlessness, a lack of trust in others, and indulging in substance abuse are all common in victims of trauma.

Correct answer: The client's substance abuse problem

While it is not uncommon for clients to have co-occurring substance use and mental health conditions that contribute to one another, and both should be addressed to ensure that the client has the best outcome, when a client's substance abuse is so significant that it is resulting in passing out and other risky behaviors, the client must reach a point of stabilization prior to being able to begin work on other domains. When engaging in substance use treatment, the first stage is stabilization, such that abstinence or deceased use is reached, and the client is able to acknowledge there is a problem. Once the client is able to do this and their physical safety is no longer a pressing issue, work can begin on underlying causes and in other areas to promote an integrative approach that addresses anxiety, depression, and works to build social supports. 

Correct answer: In vivo desensitization

In vivo sensitization is a therapeutic technique designed to expose a client to an increasingly tolerable set of negative stimuli that approximate the focus of anxiety, with the end in mind of a final desensitization to that focus altogether.

The other answers are incorrect. Modeling is the act of the therapist showing a client a skill. Aversion therapy is designed to pair negative stimuli with undesirable behaviors. Biofeedback teaches awareness of body states that are especially sensitive to mental phenomena.

Correct answer: A client who shares a story about trying to eliminate his girlfriend's pain after losing her dog

Ego strength is considered an indicator of a high level of resiliency as it is the ability to appropriately manage the often conflicting demands of one's id, superego, and reality. A person with positive ego strength generally has the ability to manage stressors successfully with adaptive coping skills rather than maladaptive coping skills. When assessing ego strength, common indicators include the ability to identify and accept one's emotions (especially the more difficult ones), the ability to experience a variety of moods without overwhelm, the ability to continue forward in the face of a setback or grief, seeking strength in the face of a painful experience, possessing an understanding that pain will not last forever, the ability to provide empathetic support to others without making attempts to eliminate their discomfort, possessing an ability to resist addictive impulses, possessing the ability to take ownership of one's actions, being able to take accountability, and setting boundaries with individuals who are draining. 

The client who is trying to take away his girlfriend's pain is not demonstrating a high level of ego strength.

Correct answer: Co-occurring disorders 

Co-occurring disorders is the most appropriate term when both a substance use disorder and a mental health disorder are present. The conditions must exist independently and one must not be the result of the other for them to be considered co-occurring. 

Comorbid disorders is an appropriate term when a mental health diagnosis and a physical health diagnosis are present at the same time. Dual diagnoses and dual disorders are dated terms for co-occurring disorders and should no longer be used in assessment.

Correct answer: Encouraging her to smile at and speak to her child regularly

Infants and toddlers are growing at rapid rates, engaging in baby talk and simple sentences, and seeking to build trust in others. Key care components include involving parents and children in feeding, changing, and bathing routines; facilitating safe play opportunities; encouraging communication by smiling and talking to the child; and engaging in parenting psychoeducation. Encouraging Jamila to engage in communication exercises such as smiling and talking with her child is the most appropriate psychoeducation for a toddler. 

Encouraging parents to allow children to make food choices and teaching emotional expression are more appropriate for children ages four to six. Young children are growing more slowly, increasing their memory, developing an imagination, gaining some independence, and becoming aware of others' feelings. Appropriate psychoeducation for parents of young children includes activities like encouraging choice, using toys and games to teach, teaching safety rules, and talking about feelings. 

Correct answer: It is never acceptable to have sexual relations with a client

The NASW Code of Ethics states that social workers should, under no circumstances, engage in sexual activities with a current client, with a client's family member, or with former clients. The Code of Ethics also states that social workers should not provide services to individuals with whom they have previously had sexual relations, and should not have sexual relations with a client once they are no longer receiving treatment from the social worker.

Correct answer: Service 

Social work has six foundational pillars: service, social justice, dignity and worth of the person, importance of human relationships, integrity, and competence. The specific tenets of the NASW Code of Ethics fall within these six pillars. The service pillar is defined as follows: "Social workers’ primary goal is to help people in need and to address social problems. Social workers elevate service to others above self-interest. Social workers draw on their knowledge, values, and skills to help people in need and to address social problems. Social workers are encouraged to volunteer some portion of their professional skills with no expectation of significant financial return (pro bono service)."

Social justice is defined as follows: "Social workers pursue social change, particularly with and on behalf of vulnerable and oppressed individuals and groups of people. Social workers’ social change efforts are focused primarily on issues of poverty, unemployment, discrimination, and other forms of social injustice. These activities seek to promote sensitivity to and knowledge about oppression and cultural and ethnic diversity. Social workers strive to ensure access to needed information, services, and resources; equality of opportunity; and meaningful participation in decision making for all people."

Integrity is defined as follows: "Social workers are continually aware of the profession’s mission, values, ethical principles, and ethical standards and practice in a manner consistent with them. Social workers should take measures to care for themselves professionally and personally. Social workers act honestly and responsibly and promote ethical practices on the part of the organizations with which they are affiliated."

Competence is defined as follows: "Social workers continually strive to increase their professional knowledge and skills and to apply them in practice. Social workers should aspire to contribute to the knowledge base of the profession." It is essential that all social workers are familiar with the Code of Ethics. 

Correct answer: Aging

The field of aging is quickly expanding as the baby boom generation ages and has access to up-to-date medical care. Social workers are in high demand to work with these populations and their families surrounding issues such as medical treatment and end-of-life care.

Family services issues typically include finding resources for families and providing family therapy so all members can function better. Mental health services include providing therapy and other psychiatric interventions.

Correct answer: Lithium carbonate

Lithium carbonate is used to treat symptoms of bipolar disorder.

Lisinopril is a high blood pressure medication. Its main function is to block chemicals in the body that trigger the tightening of blood vessels. Metoprolol is used to treat high blood pressure and also helps reduce the risk of repeated heart attacks. Simvastatin is prescribed to treat high cholesterol and is typically recommended in conjunction with dietary changes.

Correct answer: The social worker should bring up the issue during a therapy session

Ethically discussing the situation during therapy sessions provides a safe and appropriate space to explore the client's motivations and feelings behind sharing distressing content. It also allows the social worker to collaboratively develop healthier coping strategies.

The NASW Code of Ethics states, "Social workers should be aware that posting personal information on professional Web sites or other media might cause boundary confusion, inappropriate dual relationships, or harm to clients. . . . Social workers should be aware that personal affiliations may increase the likelihood that clients may discover the social worker’s presence on Web sites, social media, and other forms of technology. Social workers should be aware that involvement in electronic communication with groups based on race, ethnicity, language, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, mental or physical ability, religion, immigration status, and other personal affiliations may affect their ability to work effectively with particular clients. . . . Social workers should avoid accepting requests from or engaging in personal relationships with clients on social networking sites or other electronic media to prevent boundary confusion, inappropriate dual relationships, or harm to clients." 

Social workers should not have interactions with clients on social media because this could be considered a dual relationship and is not ethical. Therefore, following the client or responding to them on the social media site is not ethically appropriate. 

Correct answer: Infancy

According to child development theorists, infancy begins at birth and lasts until age three. During the infancy stage, the child forms attachments with primary caregivers, reaches important milestones, and learns an incredible amount about the world around him.

The prenatal stage is when the fetus develops in the womb; at this point, the fetus does not have enough brain development to be able to attach to anyone. Attachment is important during the preschool and middle childhood years, but the formative years of attachment occur in the first three years of life.

Correct answer: Healthy families are egalitarian without hierarchy

Though an egalitarian perspective can be considered desirable, according to family theory, hierarchies do exist in healthy families. Egalitarianism in family structures is therefore not an assumption of family theory.

All parts of a family system are interrelated and provide support and structure for the other parts, but power structures do develop. Some of these power structures are part of normal development, and others manifest through the lifespan of the family system. Healthy families are flexible and adaptable along these power structures.

Any family is an interactional system in which the members form, change, follow, and break rules and react accordingly. One facet of the system will be its boundaries, which means the rules about motion to and from the family system. Another assumption about family systems is that they are goal-oriented, perhaps having different means and methods to accomplish those goals.

Correct answer: The entire problem-solving process

In order to involve clients, social workers must continually listen to, learn about, and facilitate opportunities with clients they are serving. Client involvement should occur during the entire problem-solving process.

Correct answer: "I can see how losing your job has made you feel that way. It's completely understandable given the circumstances."

Stating, "I can see how losing your job has made you feel that way. It's completely understandable given the circumstances" reflects empathetic communication by actively listening to the client, validating their feelings, and demonstrating understanding of their emotional state. It shows that the social worker is attuned to the client's experience and responds in a supportive and compassionate manner. This response best demonstrates empathetic communication by validating the client's emotions and showing understanding of their specific situation.

Stating, "Don't worry. I'm sure things will get better soon" is dismissive and minimizes the client's feelings. It does not demonstrate empathetic communication because it does not validate the client's emotions. Stating, "It's not uncommon to feel that way after a job loss" acknowledges the commonality of the client's feelings but lacks the depth of understanding and validation that empathetic communication entails. Stating, "Failure is a part of life, and we all experience setbacks" acknowledges the general concept of failure but does not specifically address the client's feelings or validate their experience. Empathetic communication requires a more personalized and understanding approach.

Correct answer: The brain grows at a rapid rate

In older children, ages seven to 12, negotiation for greater independence occurs as they develop a greater sense of self. Physical growth occurs fairly slowly until a spurt at the end during puberty. Older children are generally curious, making them eager and ready to learn.

The brain grows at a rapid rate during infancy and early childhood, from birth to age three.