SW 450 Final Exam Prep (Practice Questions
+ Answers)
Section A: Multiple Choice
1. A social worker is practicing in a school setting. Which principle best guides
confidentiality when working with minors?
A. Always keep information confidential from parents
B. Share all information with school staff
C. Balance minor’s confidentiality with safety and legal obligations
D. Only document verbal disclosures
Answer: C
Rationale: Minors have partial confidentiality rights, but safety, mandated reporting, and
parental/legal rights may require disclosure.
2. Which best describes “systems theory” in social work?
A. Focus on individual pathology
B. Focus on unconscious conflicts
C. Individuals are influenced by interconnected systems
D. Behavior is genetically determined
Answer: C
Rationale: Systems theory views individuals within family, community, and societal systems.
3. A client reports suicidal ideation with a plan. The social worker should
FIRST:
A. Document and schedule next session
B. Assess immediate risk and ensure safety
C. Refer to outpatient counseling
D. Contact family without consent
,Answer: B
Rationale: Immediate safety and risk assessment take priority.
4. What is the primary purpose of informed consent in social work?
A. Protect the agency legally only
B. Ensure client understands services and risks
C. Allow social worker to avoid liability
D. Obtain insurance reimbursement
Answer: B
Rationale: Informed consent ensures clients understand treatment, risks, and rights.
5. Which is an example of “micro-level practice”?
A. Policy advocacy
B. Community organizing
C. Individual counseling
D. Legislative reform
Answer: C
Rationale: Micro practice focuses on individuals and families.
6. A social worker must report suspected child abuse when:
A. They strongly suspect abuse
B. They have reasonable cause to believe abuse occurred
C. The client confirms it
D. A supervisor approves
Answer: B
Rationale: Mandated reporting is based on reasonable suspicion, not proof.
7. Which intervention reflects a strengths-based approach?
A. Diagnosing pathology
B. Focusing on client deficits
,C. Identifying client resilience and resources
D. Prioritizing medication adherence
Answer: C
Rationale: Strengths-based practice emphasizes abilities and resources.
8. What is countertransference?
A. Client projecting feelings onto worker
B. Worker projecting personal feelings onto client
C. Client resistance to therapy
D. Ethical violation of confidentiality
Answer: B
Rationale: Countertransference occurs when the worker’s emotions affect judgment.
9. The NASW Code of Ethics primarily emphasizes:
A. Agency profit
B. Client welfare and professional integrity
C. Legal documentation only
D. Supervisor authority
Answer: B
Rationale: The NASW Code prioritizes client dignity, service, and ethics.
10. Which is an example of advocacy in social work?
A. Diagnosing depression
B. Helping a client apply for housing benefits
C. Writing clinical notes
D. Conducting psychological testing
Answer: B
Rationale: Advocacy involves helping clients access resources and rights.
Section B: Short Answer
, 11. Define cultural competence in social work practice.
Answer:
Cultural competence is the ability to understand, respect, and effectively work with individuals
from diverse cultural backgrounds while avoiding bias and ensuring equitable service delivery.
12. What is ethical dual relationship?
Answer:
A dual relationship occurs when a social worker has both a professional relationship and another
role (personal, financial, or social) with a client, which may impair objectivity or create conflict
of interest.
13. Explain the purpose of biopsychosocial assessment.
Answer:
It evaluates biological, psychological, and social factors affecting a client’s functioning to create
a comprehensive treatment plan.
Section C: Scenario-Based Questions
14. A client refuses treatment but is clearly experiencing severe depression. What
should the social worker do?
Answer:
Respect autonomy but continue exploring concerns, assess risk (especially suicide risk), provide
education, and document thoroughly.
15. A client discloses domestic violence but begs you not to report it. What is the
best action?
Answer:
Explain confidentiality limits, assess safety risk, and follow mandatory reporting laws while
ensuring client safety planning.
+ Answers)
Section A: Multiple Choice
1. A social worker is practicing in a school setting. Which principle best guides
confidentiality when working with minors?
A. Always keep information confidential from parents
B. Share all information with school staff
C. Balance minor’s confidentiality with safety and legal obligations
D. Only document verbal disclosures
Answer: C
Rationale: Minors have partial confidentiality rights, but safety, mandated reporting, and
parental/legal rights may require disclosure.
2. Which best describes “systems theory” in social work?
A. Focus on individual pathology
B. Focus on unconscious conflicts
C. Individuals are influenced by interconnected systems
D. Behavior is genetically determined
Answer: C
Rationale: Systems theory views individuals within family, community, and societal systems.
3. A client reports suicidal ideation with a plan. The social worker should
FIRST:
A. Document and schedule next session
B. Assess immediate risk and ensure safety
C. Refer to outpatient counseling
D. Contact family without consent
,Answer: B
Rationale: Immediate safety and risk assessment take priority.
4. What is the primary purpose of informed consent in social work?
A. Protect the agency legally only
B. Ensure client understands services and risks
C. Allow social worker to avoid liability
D. Obtain insurance reimbursement
Answer: B
Rationale: Informed consent ensures clients understand treatment, risks, and rights.
5. Which is an example of “micro-level practice”?
A. Policy advocacy
B. Community organizing
C. Individual counseling
D. Legislative reform
Answer: C
Rationale: Micro practice focuses on individuals and families.
6. A social worker must report suspected child abuse when:
A. They strongly suspect abuse
B. They have reasonable cause to believe abuse occurred
C. The client confirms it
D. A supervisor approves
Answer: B
Rationale: Mandated reporting is based on reasonable suspicion, not proof.
7. Which intervention reflects a strengths-based approach?
A. Diagnosing pathology
B. Focusing on client deficits
,C. Identifying client resilience and resources
D. Prioritizing medication adherence
Answer: C
Rationale: Strengths-based practice emphasizes abilities and resources.
8. What is countertransference?
A. Client projecting feelings onto worker
B. Worker projecting personal feelings onto client
C. Client resistance to therapy
D. Ethical violation of confidentiality
Answer: B
Rationale: Countertransference occurs when the worker’s emotions affect judgment.
9. The NASW Code of Ethics primarily emphasizes:
A. Agency profit
B. Client welfare and professional integrity
C. Legal documentation only
D. Supervisor authority
Answer: B
Rationale: The NASW Code prioritizes client dignity, service, and ethics.
10. Which is an example of advocacy in social work?
A. Diagnosing depression
B. Helping a client apply for housing benefits
C. Writing clinical notes
D. Conducting psychological testing
Answer: B
Rationale: Advocacy involves helping clients access resources and rights.
Section B: Short Answer
, 11. Define cultural competence in social work practice.
Answer:
Cultural competence is the ability to understand, respect, and effectively work with individuals
from diverse cultural backgrounds while avoiding bias and ensuring equitable service delivery.
12. What is ethical dual relationship?
Answer:
A dual relationship occurs when a social worker has both a professional relationship and another
role (personal, financial, or social) with a client, which may impair objectivity or create conflict
of interest.
13. Explain the purpose of biopsychosocial assessment.
Answer:
It evaluates biological, psychological, and social factors affecting a client’s functioning to create
a comprehensive treatment plan.
Section C: Scenario-Based Questions
14. A client refuses treatment but is clearly experiencing severe depression. What
should the social worker do?
Answer:
Respect autonomy but continue exploring concerns, assess risk (especially suicide risk), provide
education, and document thoroughly.
15. A client discloses domestic violence but begs you not to report it. What is the
best action?
Answer:
Explain confidentiality limits, assess safety risk, and follow mandatory reporting laws while
ensuring client safety planning.
