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Quiz Session - Attempts With Random Questions

ASWB MSW Exam Questions

Page 3 of 50

41.

Jon is a case manager at an in-house facility for teen boys who have behavioral, psychological, social, and other problems. As their case manager, he works with the boys to address their issues so they may return to the community. Jon uses the technique of contracting with them.

Which of the following BEST represents why this technique is useful?

  • Developing a contract between Jon and a client holds the client accountable for the change or goal being addressed

  • Having a contract documents what Jon and his client have agreed to work on, so it can be referred back to later

  • Jon could show the contract to his client's family, so they know that he and his client are working hard to resolve the client's issue

Correct answer: Developing a contract between Jon and a client holds the client accountable for the change or goal being addressed

Developing a contract holds the client accountable for whatever change or goal is being addressed and provides the client with a sense of self-determination. The signing of the contract is a decision that the client makes for themselves. The contract technique also provides the social work practice with more structure, by establishing more specific objectives with clients.

The contract that is developed from using the contract technique can be used to refer back to later, but the technique is most useful when it holds the client accountable for their own progress. The sessions between the client and social worker are confidential; therefore, the contract technique is not used to show the family the contract.

42.

Which of the following options is an example of a social worker using a direct treatment method?

  • A social worker uses a therapeutic interviewing technique on a client

  • A social worker speaks with the client's parents in an attempt to change their attitude

  • A social worker assists a client in choosing and using an educational institution

  • A social worker assists a client in obtaining a job

Correct answer: A social worker uses a therapeutic interviewing technique on a client 

The direct treatment method is employed when a social worker uses their influence directly on the client because the client needs direction. Examples of the direct treatment method are therapeutic interviewing, counseling, and clarification and interpretation.

A social worker speaking with the client's parents in an attempt to change their attitude is an example of indirect treatment, or environmental manipulation. A social worker assisting a client in choosing and using an educational institution or assisting a client in obtaining a job are examples of the administration of practical services.

43.

When groupthink occurs, what happens to dissent?

  • It is suppressed

  • It is encouraged

  • It is learned from

  • It is experienced normally

Correct answer: It is suppressed

The phenomenon of groupthink occurs when a given group believes so strongly in its own values that any deviation is suppressed. Dissent or alternatives are discouraged in the interest of group conformity.

In groupthink scenarios, dissent is not encouraged, learned from, or experienced normally.

44.

Under which of the following conditions is it acceptable for social workers to accept a private fee when services are already available through the social worker's place of employment?

  • Under no circumstances

  • When the social worker deems it necessary

  • When agency policy specifically requires it

  • When the social worker's fee is lower

Correct answer: Under no circumstances

It is never acceptable for a social worker to solicit a private fee for service when these services are already covered by the social worker's place of employment. For example, if a client is receiving services through an agency, a social worker employed by that agency should not solicit or accept a private fee for services.

The other items listed do not meet the ethical standard of the NASW Code of Ethics in this respect.

45.

Which of the following would be considered a STATIC risk factor for violence?

  • Past history of violent behavior

  • Psychiatric symptoms

  • Change in employment

  • Substance abuse

Correct answer: Past history of violent behavior

Static risk factors for violence are those which are not expected to change for the person in question. One example would be a past history of violence, which cannot be changed.

Dynamic risk factors for violence would include things that can change, such as psychiatric symptoms, a change in employment, or substance abuse.

46.

Which of the following is an example of advocacy in social work practice?

  • Contacting a treatment center to communicate with the director on behalf of a client needing services

  • Providing direct services to an individual with depression

  • Educating family members about a relative's schizophrenia diagnosis

  • Delivering prevention education about substance abuse to a group of teens

Correct answer: Contacting a treatment center to communicate with the director on behalf of a client needing services

Social work advocacy involves ensuring that clients' needs are met. This can involve working with an individual client or promoting systemic changes to benefit vulnerable groups. For instance, social workers may try to convince lawmakers of the need to change policies to benefit marginalized groups. This is advocacy in action. Contacting a treatment center on behalf of a client needing services represents advocacy, because you're helping to ensure that the client's needs are met.

The other options described here align with direct practice rather than specific advocacy work.

47.

After several weeks of sessions, Anna needs to evaluate the progress her client has made. What three things would she look at to determine the amount of progress that has occurred?

  • Symptoms of mental illness, well-being of client, and functioning of client

  • Symptoms of mental illness, mood of client, and level of client resources

  • Mood of client, level of client resources, and well-being of client

  • Level of client resources, symptoms of mental illness, and functioning of client

Correct answer: Symptoms of mental illness, well-being of client, and functioning of client 

These are three key measures that can be reviewed at certain intervals to determine if and how much progress a client has made.

The remaining answer options are incorrect, as they are not the best ways to determine the amount of progress that has occurred. Mood can shift and be a reflection of things outside the treatment modality. The client's resources are rarely under the influence of treatment providers.

48.

James begins to review what he has learned about himself from therapy and the accomplishments that he has made. What does this MOST likely mean?

  • James has moved into the termination stage

  • James has become more comfortable in therapy

  • James is making sure the therapy techniques are working

Correct answer: James has moved into the termination stage

In the termination stage, people begin thinking about what they've learned about themselves, develop an aftercare plan, and prepare to move on from their relationship with the social worker. During the termination stage, clients sometimes experience feelings of sadness or loss that remind them of previous endings.

The remaining answer options are incorrect. The question does not indicate that James has become more comfortable in therapy. James is reviewing his progress made in therapy, but this doesn't mean he is making sure the techniques are working.

49.

Which of the following types of validity/reliability in social work research measures the consistency of different instruments drawn from the same content?

  • Parallel forms reliability

  • Face validity

  • Interobserver reliability

  • Content validity

Correct answer: Parallel forms reliability

Parallel forms reliability measures the consistency of different instruments drawn from the same pool of content or data.

The other items listed do not measure this type of research validity. Face validity refers to the apparent, subjective integrity of the construct measurements. Content validity refers to the adequate coverage of content domains. Interobserver reliability refers to how similarly different raters score the same instrument.

50.

A social worker has been asked to meet for individual therapy with a client who has been ordered by Child Protective Services to attend weekly therapy sessions before they consider returning the client's child to her. Which of the following should the social worker do FIRST?

  • Explain the expectations CPS and the social worker have regarding the client's participation in therapy, as well as the consequences

  • Collect a thorough biopsychosocial history of the client

  • Explore the client's relationship with her child

  • Ask the client to explain her feelings about being in therapy

Correct answer: Explain the expectations CPS and the social worker have regarding the client's participation in therapy, as well as the consequences

Social workers are sometimes asked to provide services for mandated clients, who are required to attend therapy or face serious consequences. At the first session, the social worker should ensure that the client clearly understands the expectations CPS and the social worker have regarding their participation in therapy, as well as the consequences that may occur if they refuse to participate.

At some point early in therapy, the social worker should take a biopsychosocial history, explore the client's relationship with her child, and ask the client to explain her feelings about being in therapy. However, before doing any of these things, the social worker should make sure the client is clear about what is expected of her.

51.

A client is talking about past sexual abuse during a therapy session with a social worker, when he stops suddenly and starts sobbing. The social worker waits in silence, then says, "I can tell this is very difficult for you. You seem to be feeling a lot of overwhelming emotions."

Which of the following BEST describes the social worker's response?

  • Empathic

  • Confrontational

  • Genuine

  • Insensitive

Correct answer: Empathic

Empathic communication refers to the ability of the social worker to perceive accurately and sensitively the client's feelings and to communicate their understanding of these feelings. In this situation, the social worker is helping the client feel that they understand that talking about the abuse is difficult and overwhelming.

The social worker is not being confrontational, as they are not being aggressive or argumentative. The social worker might be genuine in their response, but this is not as good of an answer as empathic. The social worker is being sensitive, not insensitive.

52.

Which of the following refers to the inability to recognize faces?

  • Prosopagnosia

  • Agnosia

  • Acalculia

  • Aphasia

Correct answer: Prosopagnosia

Prosopagnosia is a change in cognition that makes a person unable to recognize faces.

Agnosia refers to the inability to recognize everyday objects. Acalculia is the inability to do simple arithmetic, and aphasia is difficulty understanding or producing language in spoken or written form.

53.

Which of the following is a TRUE statement about cultural competence?

  • Cultural competence is both an ethical obligation and a professional standard in the social work profession

  • Cultural competence is a set of theories that were developed in the 1980s and have not been changed since

  • Cultural competence applies only to individual clients and their therapists, not to larger groups or organizations

Correct answer: Cultural competence is both an ethical obligation and a professional standard in the social work profession

Cultural competence is both an ethical obligation and a professional standard in the social work profession. 

The remaining answer options are incorrect. Theories, ideas and practices of cultural competence are constantly shifting and changing due to the changing population of the United States. Cultural competence applies to all levels of social work practice, including individuals, groups, and organizations.

54.

Which of the following operant techniques relies on removing a negative to increase behavior?

  • Negative reinforcement

  • Positive reinforcement

  • Positive punishment

  • Negative punishment

Correct answer: Negative reinforcement

Negative reinforcement relies on the removal of aversive (negative) punishment to reward positive behavior.

The other operant techniques rely on different approaches to shaping behavior.

55.

Which of the following statements is consistent with the problem-solving approach?

  • Clients need help to enhance capacities for problem-solving

  • Clients solve their own problems in maladaptive ways

  • Clients are not able to solve their own problems

  • Clients take too long to solve their own problems

Correct answer: Clients need help to enhance capacities for problem-solving

The problem-solving approach to treatment suggests that clients enter the helping process with an inability to solve their own problem due to a lack of capacity for problem-solving. It would then be the social worker's job to enhance this capacity and help the client grow toward greater inner ability in this regard.

The problem-solving approach does not suggest that clients solve their own problems in maladaptive ways as much as it does that clients need help to increase their problem-solving capacities. This approach does not state that clients can't solve their own problems or that they take too long to do so per se, but that their skills need enhancement.

56.

If your client is experiencing dissociation, what are they experiencing?

  • Disturbance in the integration of one's personality

  • Disturbance in sensory input

  • Disturbance in language production

  • Disturbance in reality testing

Correct answer: Disturbance in the integration of one's personality

Dissociation refers to the phenomenon of a disturbance in the usual integration of one's personality, and is often seen in persons who have experienced trauma.

Generally speaking, dissociation does not deal with sensory input, language production, or reality testing.

57.

What do you call a team of professionals, such as a social worker, physician, nutritionist, and spiritual advisor, who come together to evaluate and provide suggestions to help a client?

  • Interdisciplinary team

  • Collaborative team

  • Interdisciplinary group

Correct answer: Interdisciplinary team

A group of individuals from different professions meeting together in order to come up with the best way to help a client by combining their different perspectives is called an interdisciplinary team.

Collaborative team and interdisciplinary group are terms that may fit the description, but they are not the specific terms used in social work.

58.

Which of the following social work values is associated with "doing the right thing" as a member of the profession?

  • Service

  • Dignity and worth of the person

  • Integrity

  • Competence

Correct answer: Service

The social work value of service is the value associated with doing the right thing, or attempting to deliver good to people and society in general.

The value of dignity and worth of the person is aimed at making sure that people are treated well and with respect in all cases. Integrity refers to one's personal code of ethics upholding the social work profession, as well as ensuring that the social work profession maintains its own standards. Competence is the social work value dedicated to the professional ability of social workers as individuals.

59.

Emotional outbursts, a decline in grades, neglect of personal appearance, and efforts to put personal affairs in order are all signs of:

  • Suicidal thoughts

  • Sexual abuse

  • Domestic violence

  • Loneliness

Correct answer: Suicidal thoughts

There are many different signs that indicate an individual is contemplating suicide. Some of these indicators include emotional outbursts, a decline in grades, neglect of personal appearance, and efforts to put personal affairs in order. Additional signs of suicidal thoughts include physical complaints, appetite or sleep changes, an inability to concentrate, and extreme fatigue.

Indicators of sexual abuse do include poor personal hygiene, a decline in grades, and a change in mood, but not efforts to put personal affairs in order. Indicators of domestic violence may also include a change in mood but would likely also include a reluctance or fear to return home. Loneliness is a vague term and does not necessarily lead to thoughts or feelings of suicide.

60.

Which of the following medications belongs to the class known as benzodiazepines?

  • Xanax (alprazolam)

  • Vivactil (protriptyline)

  • Asendin (amoxapine)

  • Pamelor (nortriptyline)

Correct answer: Xanax (alprazolam)

Xanax (alprazolam) belongs to the class of drugs known as benzodiazepines, a kind of medication used primarily to control anxiety.

Vivactil (protriptyline), Asendin (amoxapine), and Pamelor (nortriptyline) are all tricyclic antidepressants, used for the treatment of depressive disorders.

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