MSW Comprehensive Exam Questions & Answers 2024/2025
-summarized broad ethical standards
-is the moral compass for social work professions
-holds the social work profession accountable - ANSWERSThe NASW Code of Ethics
service, social justice, dignity and worth of the person, importance o...
-holds the social work profession accountable - ANSWERSThe NASW Code of Ethics
service, social justice, dignity and worth of the person, importance of human relationships, integrity,
competence - ANSWERSSocial Work Values
- ANSWERSEthical principles associated with each social work value
Ethical fading, self deception and awareness - ANSWERSProfessional values vs Personal values
-3 categories of responsibilities
-Key responsibilities of the social worker
-Application of standards to scenarios - ANSWERSPracticing ethical standards
-Commitment to clients
-Self-determination
-Informed consent
-Competence
-Cultural competence and social diversity
-Conflicts of interest
-Privacy and confidentiality
-Limitations of client confidentiality
-Duty to warn (Tarasoff) - ANSWERSSocial workers' ethical responsibilities to clients
,-Respect
-Confidentiality
-Sexual relationships and harassment
-Impairment, incompetence, or unethical behavior of colleagues - ANSWERSSocial Workers' Ethical
Responsibilities to Colleagues
-Competence
-Discrimination - ANSWERSSocial Workers' Ethical Responsibilities as Professionals
-Protection of human subjects
-Voluntary participation
-Informed consent
-Confidentiality
-Protection of vulnerable/at-risk populations, etc. - ANSWERSEthical Responsibility in Research and
Program Evaluation
-Supporting thorough and accurate assessment and treatment planning
-Providing competent service delivery
-Supporting continuity and coordination of services among settings and care providers
-Documenting supervisory activities to show contacts/content in case of challenge, personnel problems,
or litigation
-Providing data for program evaluation activities
-Allowing for accountability- information for 3rd party payors, regulatory bodies, etc. -
ANSWERSFunctions of Documentation
-Calls for accurate documentation and protection of privacy of all involved parties noted in the client
record
-Gives clients the right to access own records (if this occurs there is a duty to protect privacy of others
noted in the record)
-Electronic records also have to have safeguards in place to protect confidentiality and privacy
-Storage of records needs to protect privacy and confidentiality
,-Records need to be kept for at least several years after termination in a secure, private location. -
ANSWERSCode of Ethics & Documentation
-Be thorough but don't overdo it. Think about what you have to document to demonstrate activities and
facilitate services as well as protecting and serving all parties involved (assessment and treatment
planning, informed consent, actual contact information (including cancelled and failed
appointments)termination activities, supervisors should document both supervision actions and
consults.)
-Too little vs. too much: document enough information when handling a crisis to show your assessment,
thought process, decision. Don't document a lot when you are documenting things like a client's fantasy
(this could be used against him/her)
-Document enough to fulfill the function of the note and the job. In a crisis, document smarter vs. longer.
Personal notes and emails should also be written as if they are public: they can be subpoenaed.
-Families and couples: may want to have one common file and separate files in which priv -
ANSWERSContent of Documentation
-Choose words carefully and support your conclusions; avoid defamatory language. Write remembering
there is an audience.
-Be clear and specific; be careful with abbreviations and do not use ones that are not approved or will be
misunderstood
-Qualify your statements- "appears to be", "seems to be"
-Avoid libelous writing - ANSWERSLanguage and Terminology
-Records need to be thorough and timely; record AFTER you have delivered the service not before.
-Document in the required window (during the contact, immediately after, within 24 hours)- delayed
documentation can be used against you.
-Use proper grammar so you can maintain credibility
-Acknowledge errors: either write a new note with correct information or strike out error, insert correct
information. Date and initial change. - ANSWERSCredibility
-There is no such thing as complete confidentiality: always assume records will be seen
-Subpoenas: know the difference for one requesting records vs. one requesting a personal appearance
(some organizations send the person responsible for maintaining the record- i.e., medical records)
, -If you receive a subpoena you can try to have it withdrawn or the information requested narrowed
-Do not release information without a court order or a consent - ANSWERSAccess to Records and
Documents
-Be sure you are familiar with all records that pertain to your practice (HIPAA, FERPA, JCAHO, etc)
-Work in compliance with these expectations - ANSWERSRegulations
Inform the client about the limits of confidentiality. - ANSWERSA social worker is meeting with her client
for a first therapy session. What is the first ethical responsibility she is obligated to meet in this session?
Conflict of interest. - ANSWERSA social worker employed by a community-based organization finds her
professional decision-making to be influenced by elements other than concern about the client. What
ethical issue is this social worker facing?
Dignity and worth of a person - ANSWERSWhat core value of the social work profession is violated when
a client is coerced into consenting to treatment?
Duty to warn per the Tarasoff decision and confidentiality. - ANSWERSDuring a counseling session at a
mental health center, a social worker is told by their client that the client intends to shoot a specific
relative after leaving the session. What professional duties are in conflict in this situation?
Talk to the client about whether they want any information disclosed and the possible implications of
disclosure. - ANSWERSA 16 year old has become a client of an outpatient clinical social worker after
surviving a sexual assault by the sibling of a classmate at her school. The client's parents have signed a
release of information allowing the social worker to communicate directly with school staff. The social
worker is contacted by one of the teachers who is concerned that the client's school work has declined
drastically. The teacher wants to know if something has happened to the client. What should the social
worker do in this situation?
Assess the situation for risk of potential harm or exploitation of the client. - ANSWERSAdele, a social
worker employed by a program serving at-risk youth at a local YMCA in an urban community, lives in an
apartment complex within walking distance of her work. An avid reader, she frequently visits the local
library and has joined a monthly reading group. At her most recent visit, the group welcomed a new
member who happens to be the mother of one of the youths in her program. To determine how to
respond to this situation, what should Adele do first?
The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:
Guaranteed quality through customer reviews
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through credit card or Stuvia-credit for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying these notes from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller Bensuda. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy these notes for $11.49. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.
