ASWB Masters Assessment 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A social worker is conducting a biopsychosocial assessment of a client who recently immigrated from another country. The client is reluctant to discuss family matters. What is the MOST culturally competent approach?
- Proceed with standardized intake questions regardless of discomfort
- Explore the client's cultural norms around privacy and family disclosure (Correct answer)
- Ask a family member to speak on the client's behalf
- Refer the client to a clinician from the same cultural background
Correct answer: Explore the client's cultural norms around privacy and family disclosure
Exploring cultural norms around privacy respects the client's background and informs how the assessment is conducted.
Question 2: Which of the following BEST describes the purpose of a mental status examination (MSE) in social work practice?
- To diagnose a client with a specific DSM disorder
- To assess a client's current cognitive and emotional functioning (Correct answer)
- To determine the client's eligibility for psychiatric medication
- To evaluate long-term personality traits
Correct answer: To assess a client's current cognitive and emotional functioning
The MSE provides a structured snapshot of a client's current cognitive, emotional, and behavioral functioning.
Question 3: During an assessment, a client discloses experiencing auditory hallucinations only when under extreme stress. This pattern is MOST consistent with which consideration?
- Chronic psychotic disorder requiring immediate hospitalization
- A stress-related perceptual disturbance that warrants further evaluation (Correct answer)
- Malingering to avoid work responsibilities
- Normal variation in human perception
Correct answer: A stress-related perceptual disturbance that warrants further evaluation
Stress-induced perceptual disturbances are distinct from chronic psychosis and require further clinical evaluation.
Question 4: A social worker uses the Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) scale. What does a GAF score of 45 indicate?
- Minimal symptoms with good functioning
- Serious symptoms or serious impairment in functioning (Correct answer)
- Moderate symptoms with some difficulty in functioning
- Superior functioning with no symptoms
Correct answer: Serious symptoms or serious impairment in functioning
A GAF score of 41–50 indicates serious symptoms or serious impairment in social, occupational, or school functioning.
Question 5: When assessing risk of suicide, which factor is considered the MOST significant predictor of future attempt?
- Family history of depression
- Previous suicide attempt (Correct answer)
- Current stressful life event
- Diagnosis of anxiety disorder
Correct answer: Previous suicide attempt
A prior suicide attempt is the strongest single predictor of future suicidal behavior.
Question 6: A social worker suspects a client may have an alcohol use disorder. Which validated screening tool is MOST appropriate for initial assessment?
- PHQ-9
- CAGE questionnaire (Correct answer)
- Beck Depression Inventory
- Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale
Correct answer: CAGE questionnaire
The CAGE questionnaire is a validated, brief screening tool specifically designed to identify problematic alcohol use.
Question 7: In a strengths-based assessment, the social worker's PRIMARY focus is on:
- Identifying the client's psychiatric diagnoses
- Documenting deficits to justify treatment services
- Recognizing the client's capacities, resources, and resilience (Correct answer)
- Assessing risk factors for harm to self or others
Correct answer: Recognizing the client's capacities, resources, and resilience
Strengths-based assessment emphasizes clients' capacities, resources, and resilience rather than pathology.
ASWB Masters Assessment 2
A social worker is conducting a biopsychosocial assessment of a client who recently immigrated from another country.
The client is reluctant to discuss family matters.
What is the MOST culturally competent approach?