LCSW EXAM QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS
A couple seeks therapy to improve their communication. During an initial session, the
couple reports that their arguments frequently get physical because the wife makes the
husband so mad. The social worker should FIRST:
A. explore the ways in which the wife makes the husband mad.
B. discuss a safety plan.
C. require the couple to sign a no violence contract.
D. refer each of them to individual therapy. - Answers - D. refer each of them to
individual therapy.
A family is referred by their minister for family therapy. During the initial assessment, the
social worker learns that the mother abuses alcohol. Which of the following
interventions should the social worker take FIRST?
A. Involve the family in creating a family map of their problem.
B. Obtain a release to speak with their minister.
C. Work with the mother regarding her need for an alcohol dependency assessment.
D. Conduct a comprehensive assessment of the family members. - Answers - C. Work
with the mother regarding her need for an alcohol dependency assessment.
Parents of a six-year-old are referred to the social worker by the child's teacher, who
reports that the child is struggling to complete the coursework and frequently acts out in
class. The parents are confused and report that the child is healthy and well-behaved at
home. The social worker should FIRST:
A. provide psychoeducation about ADHD.
B. refer the child to a psychiatrist for medication evaluation.
C. encourage the parents to get psychological testing for their child.
D. recommend that the parents switch teachers. - Answers - C. encourage the parents
to get psychological testing for their child.
A client is referred to the social worker after being discharged from the psychiatric
hospital. The records indicate that he has been hearing voices for the past four months
and he believes he is being followed. According to the DSM 5 criteria, the most likely
diagnosis for the client is:
A. Brief Psychotic Disorder
B. Schizophrenia
C. Schizoaffective
D. Schizophreniform - Answers - D. Schizophreniform
, For the past year, a 21-year-old male college student reports feeling irritable, arguing
with his roommates and girlfriend, and having difficulty sleeping and studying. The client
is MOST likely exhibiting:
A. Substance-Induced Mood Disorder
B. Adjustment Disorder With Depressed Mood
C. Major Depressive Disorder
D. Persistent Depressive Disorder - Answers - C. Major Depressive Disorder
A 38-year-old woman is referred by her medical doctor. She anxiously shares that her
left arms becomes temporarily paralyzed whenever she and her boyfriend get in a
heated argument. Her doctor has ruled out a medical condition. What diagnosis should
the therapist consider?
A. Panic Disorder
B. Generalized Anxiety Disorder
C. Conversion Disorder
D. Illness Anxiety Disorder - Answers - C. Conversion Disorder
A social worker is working with a male client who reports occasional impotence and
anxiety when having sex with his new girlfriend. The client shares that he has had
issues like this in the past but did not have an issue with his previous girlfriend. What
therapy intervention should the social worker consider?
A. Desensitization
B. Sensate Focus
C. Exposure Therapy
D. Dialectic Behavioral Therapy - Answers - B. Sensate Focus
A new client with a history of suicidal gestures shares how much she likes the social
worker as compared to the horrible therapists she has had in the past. When working
with this client, the social worker should pay close attention to:
A. Countertransference issues.
B. Boundaries.
C. Self-disclosure.
D. Transference issues. - Answers - B. Boundaries.
A 5-year-old girl is referred to services at a community mental health center by her
preschool. She has been in three foster homes since her mother was incarcerated when
she was 2 years old. During the preschool observation the social worker observes that
the child is emotionally withdrawn, shows no positive affect and when she gets upset
does not seek or respond to comfort from the teachers. What diagnosis should the
therapist consider in this case?
A. Posttraumatic stress disorder
A couple seeks therapy to improve their communication. During an initial session, the
couple reports that their arguments frequently get physical because the wife makes the
husband so mad. The social worker should FIRST:
A. explore the ways in which the wife makes the husband mad.
B. discuss a safety plan.
C. require the couple to sign a no violence contract.
D. refer each of them to individual therapy. - Answers - D. refer each of them to
individual therapy.
A family is referred by their minister for family therapy. During the initial assessment, the
social worker learns that the mother abuses alcohol. Which of the following
interventions should the social worker take FIRST?
A. Involve the family in creating a family map of their problem.
B. Obtain a release to speak with their minister.
C. Work with the mother regarding her need for an alcohol dependency assessment.
D. Conduct a comprehensive assessment of the family members. - Answers - C. Work
with the mother regarding her need for an alcohol dependency assessment.
Parents of a six-year-old are referred to the social worker by the child's teacher, who
reports that the child is struggling to complete the coursework and frequently acts out in
class. The parents are confused and report that the child is healthy and well-behaved at
home. The social worker should FIRST:
A. provide psychoeducation about ADHD.
B. refer the child to a psychiatrist for medication evaluation.
C. encourage the parents to get psychological testing for their child.
D. recommend that the parents switch teachers. - Answers - C. encourage the parents
to get psychological testing for their child.
A client is referred to the social worker after being discharged from the psychiatric
hospital. The records indicate that he has been hearing voices for the past four months
and he believes he is being followed. According to the DSM 5 criteria, the most likely
diagnosis for the client is:
A. Brief Psychotic Disorder
B. Schizophrenia
C. Schizoaffective
D. Schizophreniform - Answers - D. Schizophreniform
, For the past year, a 21-year-old male college student reports feeling irritable, arguing
with his roommates and girlfriend, and having difficulty sleeping and studying. The client
is MOST likely exhibiting:
A. Substance-Induced Mood Disorder
B. Adjustment Disorder With Depressed Mood
C. Major Depressive Disorder
D. Persistent Depressive Disorder - Answers - C. Major Depressive Disorder
A 38-year-old woman is referred by her medical doctor. She anxiously shares that her
left arms becomes temporarily paralyzed whenever she and her boyfriend get in a
heated argument. Her doctor has ruled out a medical condition. What diagnosis should
the therapist consider?
A. Panic Disorder
B. Generalized Anxiety Disorder
C. Conversion Disorder
D. Illness Anxiety Disorder - Answers - C. Conversion Disorder
A social worker is working with a male client who reports occasional impotence and
anxiety when having sex with his new girlfriend. The client shares that he has had
issues like this in the past but did not have an issue with his previous girlfriend. What
therapy intervention should the social worker consider?
A. Desensitization
B. Sensate Focus
C. Exposure Therapy
D. Dialectic Behavioral Therapy - Answers - B. Sensate Focus
A new client with a history of suicidal gestures shares how much she likes the social
worker as compared to the horrible therapists she has had in the past. When working
with this client, the social worker should pay close attention to:
A. Countertransference issues.
B. Boundaries.
C. Self-disclosure.
D. Transference issues. - Answers - B. Boundaries.
A 5-year-old girl is referred to services at a community mental health center by her
preschool. She has been in three foster homes since her mother was incarcerated when
she was 2 years old. During the preschool observation the social worker observes that
the child is emotionally withdrawn, shows no positive affect and when she gets upset
does not seek or respond to comfort from the teachers. What diagnosis should the
therapist consider in this case?
A. Posttraumatic stress disorder
