ASWB Bachelors 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A client in a substance use program tells the BSW they plan to drive home while intoxicated. The social worker's FIRST step is to:
- Call law enforcement to intercept the client
- Attempt to persuade the client to use an alternative form of transportation (Correct answer)
- Notify the client's emergency contact without consent
- Document the situation and allow the client to leave
Correct answer: Attempt to persuade the client to use an alternative form of transportation
The social worker should first attempt to de-escalate and find a safer alternative before considering breach of confidentiality or third-party contact.
Question 2: The concept of 'informed consent' in social work practice requires that clients:
- Sign a standard agency consent form before services begin
- Understand the nature, risks, and benefits of services in order to agree voluntarily (Correct answer)
- Consent to all services recommended by the social worker
- Provide written consent for every session throughout treatment
Correct answer: Understand the nature, risks, and benefits of services in order to agree voluntarily
True informed consent requires that clients receive sufficient information about services and agree without coercion, in a language and format they understand.
Question 3: A BSW is assigned a client whose religious beliefs conflict with the social worker's personal values. The MOST ethical response is to:
- Transfer the client to another worker who shares the client's beliefs
- Provide competent, non-judgmental services while setting aside personal values (Correct answer)
- Disclose personal values to the client so they can decide to continue
- Consult with a supervisor about whether to accept the case
Correct answer: Provide competent, non-judgmental services while setting aside personal values
Social workers are ethically obligated to provide competent, unbiased services regardless of personal value differences.
Question 4: Which of the following is an example of 'secondary trauma' in social work?
- A social worker who experiences burnout from high caseloads
- A worker who develops trauma symptoms after repeated exposure to clients' traumatic stories (Correct answer)
- A supervisor who is injured during a workplace incident
- A client who retraumatizes a social worker through aggressive behavior
Correct answer: A worker who develops trauma symptoms after repeated exposure to clients' traumatic stories
Secondary traumatic stress (secondary trauma) results from indirect exposure to clients' trauma experiences, mirroring symptoms of primary trauma.
Question 5: When conducting a biopsychosocial assessment, which domain addresses the client's support networks and community connections?
- Biological
- Psychological
- Social (Correct answer)
- Cultural
Correct answer: Social
The social domain of a biopsychosocial assessment examines relationships, support systems, family dynamics, and community involvement.
Question 6: A BSW working in a hospital is asked by a physician to share a patient's mental health history without the patient's consent. The social worker should:
- Share the information since it is within the same healthcare setting
- Decline to share and explain confidentiality requirements to the physician (Correct answer)
- Obtain emergency consent from the patient before sharing anything
- Ask the supervisor to communicate with the physician instead
Correct answer: Decline to share and explain confidentiality requirements to the physician
Confidentiality is protected regardless of the requester's role, and information may only be shared with proper consent or legally defined exceptions.
Question 7: The NASW Code of Ethics standard of 'social justice' in social work refers to:
- Ensuring clients receive equitable legal representation
- Pursuing change that addresses discrimination, oppression, and unequal distribution of resources (Correct answer)
- Applying consistent disciplinary standards across all client populations
- Advocating for clients' rights within agency policies
Correct answer: Pursuing change that addresses discrimination, oppression, and unequal distribution of resources
Social justice as a professional value requires social workers to challenge systemic inequities and advocate for vulnerable and marginalized populations.
ASWB Bachelors 4
A client in a substance use program tells the BSW they plan to drive home while intoxicated.
The social worker's FIRST step is to: