Social Work Ethics and Values 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 Social Work Ethics and Values flashcards as text
A social worker receives a gift from a client valued at $75 as a token of appreciation at the end of treatment. The most ethical response is to:
Answer: Decline the gift and explore the meaning behind it with the client
The NASW Code of Ethics cautions against accepting gifts from clients, and exploring the meaning of the gift provides a therapeutic opportunity while maintaining professional boundaries.
Which scenario best demonstrates a violation of the social work value of 'dignity and worth of the person'?
Answer: Refusing to provide services to a client based on their immigration status
Refusing services based on immigration status violates the core value of dignity and worth of the person, which requires treating all individuals with respect regardless of their background.
An LMSW working with adolescents discovers that a 16-year-old client is using marijuana recreationally. The client asks the worker to keep this confidential. The social worker should:
Answer: Break confidentiality only if the marijuana use poses a serious, imminent risk of harm
Recreational marijuana use by an adolescent does not automatically require a breach of confidentiality; disclosure is warranted only when there is a serious and imminent risk of harm.
A social worker is asked by a client to write a letter supporting their disability claim. The worker believes the client may be exaggerating symptoms. The ethical obligation is to:
Answer: Write only an accurate, truthful account based on clinical observations
Social workers must maintain honesty and integrity in all professional communications, including documentation and letters, reflecting only accurate clinical findings.
The concept of 'cultural humility' in social work ethics differs from 'cultural competence' primarily because it:
Answer: Emphasizes ongoing self-reflection and acknowledgment of power imbalances
Cultural humility is a lifelong process of self-reflection, acknowledging one's own cultural biases and the power differentials between worker and client, rather than mastering knowledge of specific cultures.
When a social worker suspects a colleague is impaired by alcohol during working hours, the first ethical step is to:
Answer: Consult with the colleague directly and offer assistance resources
The NASW Code of Ethics recommends first consulting with the colleague and offering assistance when possible before pursuing formal reporting channels.
A mandated client states they do not want to participate in court-ordered counseling. The social worker's ethical approach should be to:
Answer: Acknowledge the client's feelings while clarifying the parameters of the mandate
Acknowledging the client's feelings validates their experience while clarifying the legal context helps establish an honest, therapeutic relationship within the constraints of the mandate.