LCSW EXAM PREP 2023/2024 WITH
100% CORRECT ANSWERS
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: - correct
answer 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: - correct answer 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: - correct answer initiate a staff recognition program
What is MOST important to remember about defense mechanisms? - correct answer 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: - correct answer 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: - correct answer 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: - correct answer 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: - correct answer
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: -
correct answer 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: - correct answer 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: - correct answer 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: - correct answer 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: - correct
answer 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: - correct answer are able to 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. The
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: - correct answer 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? -
correct answer 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: - correct answer 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? - correct answer 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? - correct answer 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: - correct answer child may not have reached this
level of cognitive development
100% CORRECT ANSWERS
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: - correct
answer 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: - correct answer 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: - correct answer initiate a staff recognition program
What is MOST important to remember about defense mechanisms? - correct answer 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: - correct answer 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: - correct answer 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: - correct answer 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: - correct answer
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: -
correct answer 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: - correct answer 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: - correct answer 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: - correct answer 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: - correct
answer 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: - correct answer are able to 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. The
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: - correct answer 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? -
correct answer 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: - correct answer 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? - correct answer 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? - correct answer 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: - correct answer child may not have reached this
level of cognitive development
