LMSW LMSW Professional Values and Ethics Questions and Answers 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A client requests access to their own clinical records. Under NASW ethical standards, the social worker should:
- Deny access to protect the client from distressing information
- Provide access while discussing any potentially harmful content (Correct answer)
- Require a court order before releasing records to the client
- Release records only to the client's physician
Correct answer: Provide access while discussing any potentially harmful content
Clients generally have the right to their records; the worker should facilitate access while using clinical judgment about presenting sensitive content.
Question 2: Which ethical standard is MOST relevant when a social worker charges sliding-scale fees based on client income?
- Confidentiality
- Social justice (Correct answer)
- Integrity
- Competence
Correct answer: Social justice
Sliding-scale fees reflect the social justice value of ensuring services are accessible to people across economic circumstances.
Question 3: A client reveals they are undocumented and fears that disclosing their status to a government agency will lead to deportation. The social worker's PRIMARY ethical obligation is to:
- Report the client's status as required by federal law
- Protect confidentiality and not report immigration status (Correct answer)
- Refer the client to immigration services immediately
- Consult with the client's employer about their status
Correct answer: Protect confidentiality and not report immigration status
Social workers are bound by confidentiality and must protect client information; immigration status is generally not a mandated reporting category.
Question 4: When is it ethically permissible for a social worker to break confidentiality WITHOUT client consent?
- When a family member requests information out of concern
- When required by law, such as mandatory reporting of child abuse (Correct answer)
- When the client owes unpaid fees
- When a client reveals embarrassing but non-harmful information
Correct answer: When required by law, such as mandatory reporting of child abuse
Mandatory reporting laws legally require disclosure of certain information, such as suspected child abuse, superseding standard confidentiality protections.
Question 5: An LMSW working in a hospital setting is asked to witness a client's signature on a legal document outside their professional role. The ethical concern is:
- The worker lacks notary credentials
- Role confusion that creates a dual relationship (Correct answer)
- Potential violation of HIPAA
- The need for supervisor approval for all signatures
Correct answer: Role confusion that creates a dual relationship
Acting outside one's professional role blurs boundaries and can create a dual relationship that compromises the therapeutic alliance.
Question 6: A social worker feels strong personal disapproval of a client's lifestyle choices. The MOST ethical response is to:
- Refer the client to a more compatible worker immediately
- Continue providing services while seeking supervision to manage personal reactions (Correct answer)
- Disclose the disapproval so the client can make an informed choice
- Avoid discussing the lifestyle choice in sessions
Correct answer: Continue providing services while seeking supervision to manage personal reactions
Social workers are ethically obligated to be aware of personal biases and use supervision to ensure those biases do not harm clients.
Question 7: Which action BEST demonstrates adherence to the NASW value of 'integrity' in social work practice?
- Advocating for policies that benefit the social work profession financially
- Being honest with clients about the limits of one's competence and services (Correct answer)
- Maintaining confidentiality only when convenient
- Agreeing with client perspectives to build the therapeutic alliance
Correct answer: Being honest with clients about the limits of one's competence and services
Integrity requires honesty and transparency with clients, including acknowledging limitations, even when that is uncomfortable.
LMSW LMSW Professional Values and Ethics Questions and Answers 5
A client requests access to their own clinical records.
Under NASW ethical standards, the social worker should: