Professional Values and Ethics Flashcards
7 cards from real LMSW practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Professional Values and Ethics flashcards as text
A social worker is treating a client who is HIV-positive and refuses to inform their sexual partner. The partner is also a client of the same agency. What is the MOST appropriate action?
Answer: Explore the client's reasons for non-disclosure and discuss options
The social worker should first explore the client's reluctance and work toward voluntary disclosure, while consulting legal and ethical guidelines about duty to protect.
Which ethical concept refers to the social worker's obligation to keep promises and honor commitments made to clients?
Answer: Fidelity
Fidelity refers to the duty to be faithful and trustworthy, keeping promises and honoring commitments made within the professional relationship.
A social worker discovers their personal values conflict with a client's lifestyle choices. The MOST ethical response is to:
Answer: Provide competent services while bracketing personal values
Social workers must set aside personal values that could interfere with objective, competent service delivery, seeking supervision when needed.
What does 'informed consent' in social work practice require?
Answer: Clients receiving clear information about services, risks, alternatives, and their right to refuse
Informed consent requires that clients receive comprehensive, understandable information about services, potential risks, alternatives, and their right to withdraw consent.
A social worker who is experiencing significant personal problems that impair their professional judgment should FIRST:
Answer: Seek personal therapy and consult with a supervisor about impairment
The NASW Code requires social workers to monitor their own impairment and seek help, including consulting supervisors when personal issues affect professional functioning.
The ethical principle of 'non-maleficence' in social work practice means:
Answer: Avoiding actions that cause harm to clients
Non-maleficence is the obligation to avoid doing harm, including physical, psychological, financial, or social harm to clients.
A social worker is asked by a court to release a client's therapy records without the client's consent. The social worker should:
Answer: Consult with an attorney and release only information required by the court order
When facing a court order, social workers should consult legal counsel and release only the minimum information legally required, protecting client confidentiality as much as possible.