FREE MSW Master of Social Work Professional Values and Ethics Questions and Answers

Question 1

A social worker in a small, rural town learns that a new client seeking therapy for marital issues is the only plumber in the area.
The social worker has a significant plumbing leak at their home that requires immediate attention.
What is the social worker's MOST ethical course of action?

Accepted Answer

Acknowledge the potential for a dual relationship with the client, discuss the conflict, and document the conversation.

Answer

Use the client's services for the emergency repair but do not discuss it in therapy.

Answer

Immediately refer the client to another therapist in a different town to avoid any conflict of interest.

Answer

Postpone the plumbing repair indefinitely to ensure professional boundaries are never crossed.

Question 2

A social worker is facilitating a support group for individuals with substance use disorders. During a session, a group member discloses a detailed and credible plan to seriously harm their ex-spouse this coming weekend. Which action should the social worker take FIRST?

Accepted Answer

Immediately report the threat to law enforcement and make a reasonable effort to warn the potential victim.

Answer

Maintain group confidentiality and process the threat within the group setting.

Answer

Consult with a supervisor to determine if the threat meets the threshold for a duty to warn.

Answer

Encourage the group member to create a safety plan to manage their aggressive feelings.

Question 3

A competent, 78-year-old client with a terminal illness informs their social worker that they have decided to stop all curative medical treatments and enter hospice care. The client's family is strongly opposed and asks the social worker to convince the client to change their mind. The social worker's PRIMARY ethical responsibility is to:

Accepted Answer

Respect and support the client's decision, ensuring it is informed and voluntary.

Answer

Schedule a family meeting to mediate a compromise between the client and their family.

Answer

Report the family for potential psychological abuse due to their pressuring the client.

Answer

Advocate for the family's wishes as they are concerned for the client's well-being.

Question 4

A social worker is starting services with a new client. Which of the following is the MOST comprehensive description of the informed consent process?

Accepted Answer

An ongoing dialogue where the social worker and client discuss the nature of services, risks, limits to confidentiality, costs, and the right to refuse or withdraw consent.

Answer

Having the client sign a form that outlines the agency's policies and procedures on the first day.

Answer

A one-time verbal explanation of confidentiality and the cost of services.

Answer

Providing the client with a detailed brochure about the social worker's therapeutic orientation and credentials.

Question 5

A social worker, whose practice is focused on addiction and substance use, is asked by their agency to take on the case of a family dealing with issues related to a parent's recent diagnosis of dementia. The social worker has no training or supervised experience in gerontology or dementia care. What is the social worker's most ethical response?

Accepted Answer

Decline the case and inform the agency of their lack of expertise in the required area.

Answer

Accept the case and seek supervision from a colleague who also specializes in addiction.

Answer

Accept the case and read books and articles about dementia to learn as they go.

Answer

Provide the family with basic supportive counseling but avoid addressing the dementia-specific issues.

Question 6

A social worker at a community health center identifies a pattern where clients from a specific low-income neighborhood experience significantly longer wait times for appointments than clients from more affluent areas. The social worker brings this data to the attention of the administration and advocates for policy changes to ensure equitable access. This action is a direct application of which core social work value?

Accepted Answer

Social Justice

Answer

Integrity

Answer

Dignity and Worth of the Person

Answer

Importance of Human Relationships