LCSW Exam Prep Questions with answers 2023
A new social worker begins to establish professional rapport with a group of school aged
youths. After a few weeks, the social worker discovers that their former social worker still
sees the youths, gives them new school supplies, and takes them out for social events. The
new social worker should FIRST:
speak directly to the former social worker
A parent in great distress consults a social worker. Because of having heard so much in the
media about sexual abuse, the parent is unsure how to respond to recently finding her five-
year-old exploring the body of another child. The parent does not know whether this is
deviant behavior. The social worker should:
reassure the parent that this is normal for children this age
A social worker is the new manager of a human service organization that is simultaneously
struggling with maintaining positive employee morale, increasing client services, and
improving outcomes. The manager should FIRST:
initiate a staff recognition program
What is MOST important to remember about defense mechanisms?
Defense mechanisms are unconscious process.
A 27-year-old male with a history of hospitalizations for bipolar disorder and alcohol abuse
recently stopped taking his medication, became manic, and resumed drinking. At his
landlord's request, the police take him to the hospital and arrange an involuntary admission
to the acute psychiatric unit. The client has all of the following rights EXCEPT the right to:
leave the hospital regardless of his condition
A social worker assesses an elderly client for suicide risk. The BEST approach is to use the
clinical interview and the:
Geriatric Depression Inventory
A couple married for 30 years seeks help at a crisis clinic. The husband describes his wife's
emotional and erratic behavior and radical change in appearance and dress, which is contrary
to their religious beliefs. The wife talks openly and happily about spending more time outside
the home with her friends and hobbies, and her desire to work for the first time. The social
worker should assess the couple for evidence of:
Issues related to family transition
,A client is seen by a social worker at a family service agency complaining that she has been
feeling depressed. She states that she shouldn't feel this way because there are no problems
in her life. She has a husband, a good job, and two healthy children. The social worker should
FIRST:
clarify what the client means by depression
A social worker meets with an adolescent who frequently misses school and is having
academic problems. Psychological testing found the client is above average in intelligence,
but with poor impulse control and at high risk for antisocial behaviors. The social worker
completes the social history to:
understand factors that affect the client's behavior
At a community mental health agency, a new social worker replaces a social worker who
resigned with short notice due to a family emergency. Within a few weeks, the social worker
has met with all the clients. While in the public waiting room, a social work colleague hears
the new social worker say to a client that it was "unprofessional and harmful" for the prior
social worker to leave the agency so suddenly. The colleague should FIRST:
talk to the new social worker about the conversation
A social worker conducts a support group for adults who are caregivers for their elderly
parents. During one group meeting, a member begins to describe how she behaves toward
her parent when she becomes frustrated. The social worker becomes concerned that the
behavior may constitute abuse. The social worker should:
meet with the member individually after the group to review the situation
A 14-year-old girl comes to a family service agency for help. She is four weeks pregnant,
unmarried, and depressed. She lives with her parents who are unaware of her pregnancy.
Local law requires parental consent for treatment of minors who live with their parent(s) or
legal guardian. The social worker should FIRST:
discuss the need for parental involvement with the client
A 25-year-old woman seeks help at a local mental health clinic. She complains of nightmares,
agitation, an inability to concentrate, and weight loss. During the assessment phase, the
social worker learns that the client had been recently raped and mugged. The social worker
should FIRST focus on:
potential for self-harm
A social worker in private practice is temporarily moving to another city. Following
consideration of the risks and benefits that may be experienced by each client, the social
, worker offers to continue the therapeutic relationship with several clients through email. This
suggestion is MOST appropriate for clients who:
can cope with day-to-day issues
A 49-year-old woman seeks therapy citing problems with her 74-year-old mother. She reports
that her mother moved to a retirement community seven years ago after the death of the
client's father. My mother has adjusted well and made many new friends. Six months ago the
client's mother began dating a man and they have decided to live together. Since this
decision, the client and her mother argue each time they see each other. The client states
that her mother "is not thinking clearly," and "is betraying my father." The client is very upset
to think of her mother being sexually active. The social worker should FIRST:
focus on the client's feelings about her mother's changes in behavior
A social worker sees a family for family therapy. During one session, the youngest family
member tells the social worker, "I need to share something with you." Another family
member responds by saying, "Don't talk about it." The social worker makes several
unsuccessful attempts to assist family members in more open discussion. To increase open
communication, what should the social worker do NEXT?
Use circular questioning with all family members
A social worker sees a 60-year-old man who reports feeling irritable and unhappy in his 35-
year marriage. The man also describes loss of interest in his longtime hobbies, and trouble
sleeping. Six months ago he had a serious heart attack and is currently on disability after
working all his adult life. The social worker should FIRST:
refer the client for medication evaluation
A social worker sees a new client referred because of heavy alcohol use. During the initial
assessment the client questions the social worker's credentials and competence. What should
the social worker do NEXT?
Ask how the client feels about seeking help
A 19-year-old is brought to a family service agency by the parents who report a history of
school truancy, deliberate destruction of their property, lying, and stealing since age 14.
According to the DSM-IV-TR, which of the following diagnoses BEST describes the client?
Antisocial personality disorder
A couple brings their four-year-old child to a social worker concerned that the child cannot
yet recite the alphabet. They tell the social worker that they know other four-year-olds who
can say the alphabet and they have tried to teach it to their child without success. They
believe something may be wrong with their child. The MOST likely explanation is that the:
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