LIBERTY UNIVERSITY SOWK COMPREHENSIVE EXAM
2026/2027 | 100% Correct Answers with Latest Update |
Verified Edition | Pass Guaranteed - A+ Graded
Section 1: Social Work Professional Identity & Ethics (Questions 1-30)
Q1: A social worker at a mental health clinic receives a friend request on their personal social
media account from a current client. According to the NASW Code of Ethics, what is the most
appropriate action?
A. Accept the request to maintain a positive therapeutic alliance
B. Deny the request and discuss professional boundaries regarding social media with the client
C. Accept the request but restrict the client from seeing personal photos
D. Deny the request but offer to provide the client with their personal phone number instead
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: NASW Code of Ethics Standard 1.06 prohibits social workers from engaging in dual
relationships that could impair professional judgment. Denying the request and discussing
boundaries aligns with CSWE competencies regarding professional conduct.
Q2: During a therapy session, a client expresses suicidal ideation with a specific plan and
access to a firearm. The client refuses to sign a no-suicide contract. What is the social worker's
primary ethical duty?
A. Respect client self-determination and maintain strict confidentiality
B. Break confidentiality and take steps to protect the client, such as initiating a involuntary hold
C. Document the refusal and continue therapy as usual until the client changes their mind
D. Consult with a supervisor while waiting to see if the client acts on the plan
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The ethical principle of beneficence and the duty to protect life (often guided by
Tarasoff principles) overrides confidentiality and self-determination when there is imminent,
life-threatening danger.
Q3: A social worker in a child welfare agency discovers that a supervisor is routinely falsifying
case notes to meet federal quotas for face-to-face visits. Which action is most aligned with the
NASW Code of Ethics regarding ethical responsibilities to the profession?
A. Confront the supervisor privately and give them a chance to correct the behavior
B. Ignore the behavior to avoid creating conflict in the agency
,C. Report the unethical conduct to appropriate authorities within the organization
D. Document the falsification in the worker's own case files as a warning
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: NASW Standard 2.11 requires social workers to address the unethical conduct of
colleagues, including reporting through appropriate channels, prioritizing client safety and
professional integrity over agency politics.
Q4: A social worker is utilizing telehealth platforms. Which of the following is a mandatory ethical
and legal requirement when initiating telehealth services?
A. Only use platforms approved by the agency, obtain informed consent regarding telehealth
risks/benefits, and ensure a safety plan for local emergencies
B. Provide the client with the social worker's home address to ensure accountability
C. Conduct sessions without a camera to protect client anonymity
D. Avoid discussing sensitive topics via telehealth to prevent data breaches
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Standard 1.04 (Competence) and standard telehealth guidelines require informed
consent specific to the modality, use of secure platforms, and safety planning that accounts for
the client's physical location, aligning with CSWE and state licensing board regulations.
Q5: A client who is undocumented discloses their immigration status to a social worker at a
community clinic. ICE agents later arrive at the clinic with a warrant for the client's arrest. How
should the social worker respond?
A. Provide ICE agents with the client's exact location and file to expedite the legal process
B. Invoke HIPAA's privacy protections and state confidentiality laws to refuse access without
client consent or a court order
C. Immediately terminate services to avoid being implicated in immigration fraud
D. Advise the client to turn themselves in to resolve the issue quickly
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: While immigration status is not protected under HIPAA, state-level confidentiality laws
and NASW Code of Ethics Standard 1.07 mandate protecting client privacy, requiring social
workers to refuse disclosure without a court order or statutory exception.
Q6: A newly graduated social worker is asked by their agency to provide clinical therapy for
complex trauma cases despite having no formal training in trauma-informed care. Which ethical
standard should guide their response?
A. Accept the assignment to demonstrate loyalty to the agency and gain experience
B. Accept the assignment but use generalist practice models instead of specialized ones
,C. Decline the assignment based on Standard 1.04, which prohibits practicing outside areas of
competence
D. Accept the assignment but assign a more experienced colleague to co-sign all notes
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: NASW Standard 1.04 requires social workers to only provide services within their
education, training, and supervised experience. Accepting cases outside one's competence
violates this core standard and CSWE practice competencies.
Q7: A client offers to pay for therapy by doing landscaping work at the social worker's private
residence. The client cannot afford standard fees and will otherwise lose access to services.
What is the most ethical response?
A. Accept the bartering arrangement because maintaining access to care supersedes standard
ethical guidelines
B. Decline the arrangement and assist the client in exploring sliding-scale fee clinics or pro bono
options
C. Accept the arrangement but only if a written contract is signed by the agency director
D. Accept the arrangement only if the client insists and waives liability
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: NASW Standard 1.13 strictly discourages bartering due to the potential for
exploitation, dual relationships, and distortion of the professional relationship, even if the client
initiates it for financial reasons.
Q8: In a rural community, a social worker is the only mental health provider. The social worker
discovers that to meet community demands, they are practicing marriage and family therapy,
though their license is generalist. According to the NASW Code, what is the best course of
action?
A. Continue providing the specialized services to prevent a gap in rural care
B. Refer complex cases to specialists in a neighboring city and seek supervision to expand their
own competence
C. Stop providing all mental health services until a specialist is hired
D. Consult the state board to obtain a special waiver allowing generalized practice
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: While rural realities are challenging, Standard 1.04 requires social workers not to
practice outside their competence. The ethical path is to refer out while pursuing supervised
training to expand competence (CSWE EPAS Core Competency 2.1.3).
Q9: A social worker is testifying in court regarding a child custody case. The opposing attorney
asks the social worker to speculate on the biological father's untreated mental illness. The social
, worker has no direct knowledge or records of the father's diagnosis. What is the correct
response?
A. Provide an educated guess based on behavioral observations of the child
B. Testify that the father likely has a personality disorder based on the case dynamics
C. State clearly that they cannot speculate on individuals not evaluated and stick to the facts of
their own assessment
D. Defer the question to the judge to avoid perjury
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Standard 4.01 requires social workers to accurately represent their qualifications and
the limits of their knowledge. Speculating on unassessed individuals violates integrity and
accuracy.
Q10: A client with a terminal illness requests assistance in accessing medical aid in dying
(MAID). The social worker personally believes MAID is morally wrong based on their religious
beliefs. What is the most ethical response?
A. Refuse to provide any assistance or referrals based on the social worker's moral convictions
B. Inform the client that MAID is morally wrong and try to persuade them to pursue palliative
care instead
C. Set aside personal beliefs, provide objective information regarding all legal end-of-life
options, and respect the client's self-determination
D. Refer the client to another social worker to avoid the ethical dilemma entirely
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: NASW Standard 1.06 dictates that social workers should not allow personal values to
interfere with client self-determination. Standard 2.01 requires respecting client diversity and
choice, including end-of-life decisions.
Q11: A social worker in a hospital setting is treating an elderly patient. The patient's adult child,
who holds the medical power of attorney, demands that the social worker withhold information
about the patient's improving prognosis from the patient, stating "It will only upset her." How
should the social worker proceed?
A. Follow the family's directive to maintain family harmony and reduce patient distress
B. Inform the patient of her rights and advocate for her access to her own medical information
C. Comply with the family's directive because they hold legal decision-making authority
D. Split the difference by giving the patient vague, overly optimistic information
Correct Answer: B
Rigidical adherence to Standard 1.07 (Privacy and Confidentiality) means the patient has the
right to their own information unless they are deemed cognitively incompetent by a medical
professional, not just based on a family member's preference.
2026/2027 | 100% Correct Answers with Latest Update |
Verified Edition | Pass Guaranteed - A+ Graded
Section 1: Social Work Professional Identity & Ethics (Questions 1-30)
Q1: A social worker at a mental health clinic receives a friend request on their personal social
media account from a current client. According to the NASW Code of Ethics, what is the most
appropriate action?
A. Accept the request to maintain a positive therapeutic alliance
B. Deny the request and discuss professional boundaries regarding social media with the client
C. Accept the request but restrict the client from seeing personal photos
D. Deny the request but offer to provide the client with their personal phone number instead
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: NASW Code of Ethics Standard 1.06 prohibits social workers from engaging in dual
relationships that could impair professional judgment. Denying the request and discussing
boundaries aligns with CSWE competencies regarding professional conduct.
Q2: During a therapy session, a client expresses suicidal ideation with a specific plan and
access to a firearm. The client refuses to sign a no-suicide contract. What is the social worker's
primary ethical duty?
A. Respect client self-determination and maintain strict confidentiality
B. Break confidentiality and take steps to protect the client, such as initiating a involuntary hold
C. Document the refusal and continue therapy as usual until the client changes their mind
D. Consult with a supervisor while waiting to see if the client acts on the plan
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The ethical principle of beneficence and the duty to protect life (often guided by
Tarasoff principles) overrides confidentiality and self-determination when there is imminent,
life-threatening danger.
Q3: A social worker in a child welfare agency discovers that a supervisor is routinely falsifying
case notes to meet federal quotas for face-to-face visits. Which action is most aligned with the
NASW Code of Ethics regarding ethical responsibilities to the profession?
A. Confront the supervisor privately and give them a chance to correct the behavior
B. Ignore the behavior to avoid creating conflict in the agency
,C. Report the unethical conduct to appropriate authorities within the organization
D. Document the falsification in the worker's own case files as a warning
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: NASW Standard 2.11 requires social workers to address the unethical conduct of
colleagues, including reporting through appropriate channels, prioritizing client safety and
professional integrity over agency politics.
Q4: A social worker is utilizing telehealth platforms. Which of the following is a mandatory ethical
and legal requirement when initiating telehealth services?
A. Only use platforms approved by the agency, obtain informed consent regarding telehealth
risks/benefits, and ensure a safety plan for local emergencies
B. Provide the client with the social worker's home address to ensure accountability
C. Conduct sessions without a camera to protect client anonymity
D. Avoid discussing sensitive topics via telehealth to prevent data breaches
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Standard 1.04 (Competence) and standard telehealth guidelines require informed
consent specific to the modality, use of secure platforms, and safety planning that accounts for
the client's physical location, aligning with CSWE and state licensing board regulations.
Q5: A client who is undocumented discloses their immigration status to a social worker at a
community clinic. ICE agents later arrive at the clinic with a warrant for the client's arrest. How
should the social worker respond?
A. Provide ICE agents with the client's exact location and file to expedite the legal process
B. Invoke HIPAA's privacy protections and state confidentiality laws to refuse access without
client consent or a court order
C. Immediately terminate services to avoid being implicated in immigration fraud
D. Advise the client to turn themselves in to resolve the issue quickly
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: While immigration status is not protected under HIPAA, state-level confidentiality laws
and NASW Code of Ethics Standard 1.07 mandate protecting client privacy, requiring social
workers to refuse disclosure without a court order or statutory exception.
Q6: A newly graduated social worker is asked by their agency to provide clinical therapy for
complex trauma cases despite having no formal training in trauma-informed care. Which ethical
standard should guide their response?
A. Accept the assignment to demonstrate loyalty to the agency and gain experience
B. Accept the assignment but use generalist practice models instead of specialized ones
,C. Decline the assignment based on Standard 1.04, which prohibits practicing outside areas of
competence
D. Accept the assignment but assign a more experienced colleague to co-sign all notes
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: NASW Standard 1.04 requires social workers to only provide services within their
education, training, and supervised experience. Accepting cases outside one's competence
violates this core standard and CSWE practice competencies.
Q7: A client offers to pay for therapy by doing landscaping work at the social worker's private
residence. The client cannot afford standard fees and will otherwise lose access to services.
What is the most ethical response?
A. Accept the bartering arrangement because maintaining access to care supersedes standard
ethical guidelines
B. Decline the arrangement and assist the client in exploring sliding-scale fee clinics or pro bono
options
C. Accept the arrangement but only if a written contract is signed by the agency director
D. Accept the arrangement only if the client insists and waives liability
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: NASW Standard 1.13 strictly discourages bartering due to the potential for
exploitation, dual relationships, and distortion of the professional relationship, even if the client
initiates it for financial reasons.
Q8: In a rural community, a social worker is the only mental health provider. The social worker
discovers that to meet community demands, they are practicing marriage and family therapy,
though their license is generalist. According to the NASW Code, what is the best course of
action?
A. Continue providing the specialized services to prevent a gap in rural care
B. Refer complex cases to specialists in a neighboring city and seek supervision to expand their
own competence
C. Stop providing all mental health services until a specialist is hired
D. Consult the state board to obtain a special waiver allowing generalized practice
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: While rural realities are challenging, Standard 1.04 requires social workers not to
practice outside their competence. The ethical path is to refer out while pursuing supervised
training to expand competence (CSWE EPAS Core Competency 2.1.3).
Q9: A social worker is testifying in court regarding a child custody case. The opposing attorney
asks the social worker to speculate on the biological father's untreated mental illness. The social
, worker has no direct knowledge or records of the father's diagnosis. What is the correct
response?
A. Provide an educated guess based on behavioral observations of the child
B. Testify that the father likely has a personality disorder based on the case dynamics
C. State clearly that they cannot speculate on individuals not evaluated and stick to the facts of
their own assessment
D. Defer the question to the judge to avoid perjury
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Standard 4.01 requires social workers to accurately represent their qualifications and
the limits of their knowledge. Speculating on unassessed individuals violates integrity and
accuracy.
Q10: A client with a terminal illness requests assistance in accessing medical aid in dying
(MAID). The social worker personally believes MAID is morally wrong based on their religious
beliefs. What is the most ethical response?
A. Refuse to provide any assistance or referrals based on the social worker's moral convictions
B. Inform the client that MAID is morally wrong and try to persuade them to pursue palliative
care instead
C. Set aside personal beliefs, provide objective information regarding all legal end-of-life
options, and respect the client's self-determination
D. Refer the client to another social worker to avoid the ethical dilemma entirely
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: NASW Standard 1.06 dictates that social workers should not allow personal values to
interfere with client self-determination. Standard 2.01 requires respecting client diversity and
choice, including end-of-life decisions.
Q11: A social worker in a hospital setting is treating an elderly patient. The patient's adult child,
who holds the medical power of attorney, demands that the social worker withhold information
about the patient's improving prognosis from the patient, stating "It will only upset her." How
should the social worker proceed?
A. Follow the family's directive to maintain family harmony and reduce patient distress
B. Inform the patient of her rights and advocate for her access to her own medical information
C. Comply with the family's directive because they hold legal decision-making authority
D. Split the difference by giving the patient vague, overly optimistic information
Correct Answer: B
Rigidical adherence to Standard 1.07 (Privacy and Confidentiality) means the patient has the
right to their own information unless they are deemed cognitively incompetent by a medical
professional, not just based on a family member's preference.
