LMSW Professional Values and Ethics Questions and Answers

Question 1

A social worker in a small, rural community learns that a new client is the parent of their child's best friend.
The social worker is the only licensed provider within a 50-mile radius.
According to the NASW Code of Ethics, what is the MOST appropriate course of action for the social worker?

Accepted Answer

Acknowledge the unavoidable dual relationship, set clear professional boundaries, and proceed with treatment.

Answer

Refer the client to the provider in the next town to avoid a dual relationship.

Answer

Refuse to provide services to the client, citing a conflict of interest.

Answer

Provide services but limit the social interactions between their children to avoid conflicts.

Question 2

During a session, a client who has a history of domestic violence makes a specific, credible threat to seriously harm their ex-partner, naming the individual and describing a plan. The social worker's primary ethical and legal responsibility is to:

Accepted Answer

Immediately break confidentiality and take steps to protect the potential victim.

Answer

Maintain strict client confidentiality as a core tenet of the therapeutic relationship.

Answer

Work with the client to create a safety plan to manage their anger without involving outside parties.

Answer

Consult with a supervisor before taking any action that would breach confidentiality.

Question 3

A social worker is providing services to an older adult client with mild cognitive impairment who has difficulty understanding complex information. To adhere to the ethical principle of informed consent, which of the following actions is MOST critical?

Accepted Answer

Use clear, simple language to explain the services and check for the client's understanding, while also seeking permission from a legally authorized third party if necessary.

Answer

Have the client sign the consent form and document that they agreed to treatment.

Answer

Obtain consent from the client's adult child, who is their emergency contact.

Answer

Provide the services without formal consent, as the client's cognitive impairment prevents them from providing it.

Question 4

A client offers a social worker a small, handmade scarf as a gift at the end of their final session to express gratitude. The agency has a strict 'no gifts' policy. What is the social worker's BEST ethical response?

Accepted Answer

Explore the gift's meaning with the client, consider the potential impact on the therapeutic relationship, and discuss the situation with a supervisor.

Answer

Politely decline the gift, explaining the agency's policy to the client.

Answer

Accept the gift to avoid offending the client, but do not report it.

Answer

Accept the gift and donate it to a local charity.

Question 5

A social worker receives a 'friend request' on a personal social media account from a current client. Which of the following actions BEST aligns with ethical standards regarding professional boundaries?

Accepted Answer

Politely decline or ignore the request and discuss the importance of maintaining professional boundaries in the next session.

Answer

Accept the request to build rapport but restrict the client's access to personal posts.

Answer

Ignore the request and do not mention it to the client to avoid awkwardness.

Answer

Create a separate, professional social media account and direct the client to connect there instead.

Question 6

According to the Preamble of the NASW Code of Ethics, which of the following is identified as the primary mission of the social work profession?

Accepted Answer

To enhance human well-being and help meet the basic needs of all people, with particular attention to the vulnerable and oppressed.

Answer

To provide psychotherapy and counseling services to individuals and families.

Answer

To diagnose and treat mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders based on the DSM-5-TR.

Answer

To advocate for the professional advancement and protection of social workers.