ASWB Clinical Trivia 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A client discloses intent to harm a specific, identifiable person. Under the duty to protect (Tarasoff), the social worker MUST:
- Maintain confidentiality to preserve the therapeutic alliance
- Warn the intended victim and notify law enforcement (Correct answer)
- Hospitalize the client without further assessment
- Document the disclosure and consult at the next supervision meeting
Correct answer: Warn the intended victim and notify law enforcement
The Tarasoff ruling established the duty to protect identifiable third parties, which overrides confidentiality and requires warning the potential victim.
Question 2: Which stage of Kübler-Ross's model involves clients making deals or promises in hopes of reversing a loss?
- Denial
- Anger
- Bargaining (Correct answer)
- Depression
Correct answer: Bargaining
Bargaining is the stage where individuals attempt to negotiate to postpone or undo a loss, often with a higher power or healthcare providers.
Question 3: Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) was originally developed to treat:
- Major depressive disorder
- Borderline personality disorder (Correct answer)
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder
- Bipolar I disorder
Correct answer: Borderline personality disorder
Marsha Linehan developed DBT specifically to address the emotional dysregulation and suicidality associated with borderline personality disorder.
Question 4: A social worker treating a veteran who avoids driving, has nightmares about an IED explosion, and feels emotionally numb is MOST likely addressing:
- Acute stress disorder
- Generalized anxiety disorder
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (Correct answer)
- Specific phobia
Correct answer: Post-traumatic stress disorder
Avoidance, intrusive nightmares, and emotional numbing persisting beyond one month after a traumatic event meet criteria for PTSD.
Question 5: Which technique in psychodynamic therapy involves the therapist pointing out a client's recurring behavioral pattern without direct interpretation?
- Clarification
- Confrontation (Correct answer)
- Interpretation
- Reflection
Correct answer: Confrontation
Confrontation in psychodynamic therapy draws a client's attention to a pattern or discrepancy without yet providing a deep interpretation.
Question 6: The NASW Code of Ethics identifies which of the following as the primary obligation of social workers?
- Employing agencies
- The social work profession
- Clients (Correct answer)
- Society at large
Correct answer: Clients
The NASW Code of Ethics states that the primary responsibility of social workers is to promote the well-being of clients.
Question 7: A client who uses alcohol to cope with anxiety is BEST described as exhibiting:
- Tolerance
- Withdrawal
- Self-medication (Correct answer)
- Denial
Correct answer: Self-medication
Self-medication refers to using a substance to manage or alleviate symptoms of an underlying psychological or emotional condition.
ASWB Clinical Trivia 4
A client discloses intent to harm a specific, identifiable person.
Under the duty to protect (Tarasoff), the social worker MUST: