ASWB Bachelors Prep 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In motivational interviewing, the concept of 'rolling with resistance' means the BSW should:
- Confront the client directly about their denial
- Agree with the client that change is unnecessary
- Avoid arguing and instead reflect the client's ambivalence back to them (Correct answer)
- Refer the client to a more experienced clinician
Correct answer: Avoid arguing and instead reflect the client's ambivalence back to them
Rolling with resistance means the worker avoids arguing and instead reflects and explores the client's ambivalence, reducing defensiveness and promoting engagement.
Question 2: A BSW's client, who has been making progress, suddenly misses three consecutive appointments without contact. The BEST initial response is to:
- Close the case due to non-engagement and document accordingly
- Wait for the client to re-initiate contact on their own terms
- Reach out proactively to check on the client's wellbeing and re-engage (Correct answer)
- Report the client's non-attendance to their referring agency immediately
Correct answer: Reach out proactively to check on the client's wellbeing and re-engage
Proactive outreach demonstrates concern for the client and is an evidence-based practice to re-engage clients who disengage from services.
Question 3: Social workers are ethically obligated to engage in advocacy PRIMARILY because:
- Advocacy generates revenue for social service agencies
- Clients are generally unable to advocate for themselves
- The profession's mission includes addressing injustice and systemic barriers (Correct answer)
- Advocacy is required for licensure in most states
Correct answer: The profession's mission includes addressing injustice and systemic barriers
Advocacy is a core social work value rooted in the profession's commitment to social justice, challenging oppression, and addressing structural barriers to wellbeing.
Question 4: A BSW is asked to provide a written report about a client to the court. Before doing so, the worker should FIRST:
- Consult with colleagues about what to include in the report
- Obtain the client's informed written consent or a valid court order (Correct answer)
- Summarize only positive information to protect the client
- Check with the agency director about what the court wants to hear
Correct answer: Obtain the client's informed written consent or a valid court order
Disclosing client information requires either informed consent from the client or a legally valid court order to comply with confidentiality and HIPAA requirements.
Question 5: When completing an ecomap with a client, the BSW is attempting to:
- Document the client's medical and psychiatric history
- Visualize the client's relationships and connections to social systems (Correct answer)
- Assess the client's level of functioning across life domains
- Track the client's progress toward treatment goals over time
Correct answer: Visualize the client's relationships and connections to social systems
An ecomap is a visual tool that maps a client's relationships and connections to various systems, highlighting sources of support and stress.
Question 6: A BSW working with a low-income community wants to help residents identify shared concerns and organize for change. This approach is BEST described as:
- Case management
- Community organizing (Correct answer)
- Psychoeducation
- Crisis intervention
Correct answer: Community organizing
Community organizing is a macro-level practice that mobilizes community members around shared issues to advocate for systemic change.
Question 7: The concept of 'confidentiality' in social work practice means that:
- No client information can ever be shared with anyone under any circumstances
- Client information shared in the professional relationship is protected from unauthorized disclosure (Correct answer)
- Only written records are protected; verbal disclosures may be shared freely
- Confidentiality automatically expires when a client is no longer receiving services
Correct answer: Client information shared in the professional relationship is protected from unauthorized disclosure
Confidentiality protects client information from unauthorized disclosure, though it has specific legal exceptions such as mandatory reporting and imminent danger.
ASWB Bachelors Prep 5
In motivational interviewing, the concept of 'rolling with resistance' means the BSW should: