LMSW EXAM 2026-2027 QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS GRADED A+
GUARANTEED PASS
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:
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:
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 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
CORRECT ANSWERS GRADED A+
GUARANTEED PASS
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:
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:
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 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
