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

The NASW Code of Ethics (1.06c) advises against dual relationships where there's a risk of harm or exploitation. However, it recognizes they can be unavoidable, especially in small communities. The most ethical action is to address the potential conflict openly with the client, prioritize the client's needs, set clear boundaries, and document the steps taken to protect the client. Immediate referral may not be necessary or in the client's best interest if other options are not readily available, and ignoring the issue or the home repair is not a practical or ethical solution.

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

According to the NASW Code of Ethics and legal precedents like the Tarasoff case, the principle of confidentiality is not absolute. When a client poses a serious, foreseeable, and imminent threat to an identifiable third party, the social worker has a 'duty to warn' or 'duty to protect'. This obligation supersedes the commitment to client confidentiality. Consulting with a supervisor is a good step, but the immediacy and specificity of the threat require prompt, direct action to prevent harm.

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

The core social work value of Self-Determination (NASW Code of Ethics, 1.02) dictates that social workers must respect and promote a client's right to make their own decisions. As long as the client is competent to make decisions, the social worker's role is to support that client's autonomy, even if others (including the social worker) disagree with the choice. The social worker can help facilitate communication, but their primary allegiance is to the client's right to self-determination.

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

Informed consent, as outlined in the NASW Code of Ethics (1.03), is not a single event but an ongoing process. It requires a thorough discussion in clear, understandable language about all aspects of treatment, including purpose, risks, limits, costs, and alternatives, and it must include the client's right to refuse or withdraw. It's a continuous dialogue that ensures the client remains a voluntary and informed participant in their care.

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

The NASW Code of Ethics standard on Competence (1.04, 4.01) requires social workers to practice only within their areas of knowledge and skill. Accepting a case for which one is not qualified is unethical and potentially harmful to the client. The most ethical action is to be honest about one's limitations and decline the case, which enables the agency to find a more appropriate and competent provider for the family.

MSW - Master of Social Work Practice Test

MSW - Master of Social Work Practice Test

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