FREE LMSW Ethical Practice Questions and Answers

Question 1

A social worker in private practice receives a request from a former client's new employer for information about the client's past therapy, including diagnosis and progress.
The former client has not provided written consent.
What is the social worker's ethical obligation in this situation?

Accepted Answer

Decline to provide any information, citing client confidentiality.

Answer

Contact the former client immediately to obtain verbal consent.

Answer

Provide a general statement about the client's past engagement without disclosing specific details.

Answer

Inform the employer that a court order is required to release the information.

Question 2

Which of the following scenarios most clearly represents a boundary violation in the social work profession?

Accepted Answer

A social worker engaging in a dual relationship by entering into a business partnership with a current client.

Answer

A social worker accepting a small, handmade gift from a child client after successful termination of services.

Answer

A social worker attending a community event where a current client is also present, and acknowledging them with a nod.

Answer

A social worker providing a client with their personal cell phone number for emergencies only, after discussing it in supervision.

Question 3

A social worker discovers a colleague is consistently coming to work under the influence of alcohol, impacting their professional judgment and client care. The social worker has already attempted to address the issue directly with the colleague, but the behavior persists. According to the NASW Code of Ethics, what is the most appropriate next step?

Accepted Answer

Consult with a supervisor or other appropriate administrative official within the agency.

Answer

Immediately report the colleague to the state licensing board.

Answer

Continue to monitor the colleague's behavior and document incidents.

Answer

Terminate their own working relationship with the colleague to avoid ethical entanglement.

Question 4

When faced with an ethical dilemma where multiple ethical principles seem to conflict, a social worker should prioritize:

Accepted Answer

The principle of client self-determination, unless it poses a serious, foreseeable, and imminent risk to the client or others.

Answer

The principle that best protects the social worker from liability.

Answer

The principle that aligns most closely with agency policy.

Answer

The principle that has the strongest legal precedent in similar cases.

Question 5

A social worker is providing services to a client who is undocumented and fears deportation. During a session, the client reveals a plan to commit a non-violent felony to obtain funds for their family. The social worker's ethical duty in this situation is primarily guided by:

Accepted Answer

The duty to warn and protect, as the client's plan constitutes a foreseeable risk.

Answer

The duty to maintain confidentiality, given the client's vulnerable status.

Answer

The duty to report the client's immigration status to authorities.

Answer

The duty to encourage the client to report themselves to law enforcement.

Question 6

What is the primary purpose of informed consent in social work practice?

Accepted Answer

To ensure clients understand the nature of services, their rights, risks, and alternatives, and voluntarily agree to participate.

Answer

To protect the social worker from potential lawsuits and complaints.

Answer

To document the client's agreement to follow all therapeutic recommendations.

Answer

To obtain a legal waiver from clients regarding any negative outcomes of treatment.

A social worker in private practice receives a request from a former client's new employer for information about the client's past therapy, including diagnosis and progress.The former client has not provided written consent.What is the social worker's ethical obligation in this situation?

A social worker in private practice receives a request from a former client's new employer for information about the client's past therapy, including diagnosis and progress.
The former client has not provided written consent.
What is the social worker's ethical obligation in this situation?