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
Which scenario BEST illustrates a dual relationship that an LMSW should avoid?
Answer: Providing therapy to the social worker's own child
Providing therapy to one's own child creates a dual relationship that compromises objectivity and exploits the existing family power dynamic.
A social worker suspects a colleague is practicing under the influence of alcohol. The social worker's FIRST obligation is to:
Answer: Document incidents and report to a supervisor to protect clients
The social worker's primary obligation is client safety, requiring reporting to a supervisor who can take action to protect clients while addressing the colleague's impairment.
What is the social work ethical concept of 'distributive justice' most concerned with?
Answer: Fair and equitable distribution of resources and opportunities in society
Distributive justice concerns the fair allocation of resources, opportunities, and burdens across society, a core concern of the social work profession.
A client with schizophrenia has capacity to make decisions but is refusing medication that could prevent hospitalization. The social worker should:
Answer: Respect the client's right to refuse while exploring concerns and documenting
A client with decision-making capacity has the right to refuse treatment; the social worker should respect this while exploring barriers and ensuring the client understands consequences.
Which situation represents an appropriate exception to confidentiality?
Answer: A client expresses intent to harm a specific, identifiable person
Imminent danger to an identifiable third party triggers the duty-to-warn obligation, which is a legally recognized exception to confidentiality.
The concept of 'privileged communication' in social work practice refers to:
Answer: The right of social workers to refuse to testify about client communications in court
Privileged communication is a legal protection that allows social workers to refuse to disclose client information in legal proceedings without the client's consent.
A social worker disagrees with an agency policy they believe harms clients. According to the NASW Code of Ethics, the social worker should:
Answer: Work to change the policy through legitimate organizational channels
The Code of Ethics encourages social workers to work to change policies they believe are harmful through appropriate internal channels such as supervisors, administration, or advocacy.