LMSW Exam With Correct Answers
2023 Version/A GRADE Exam
AASPIRINS - Answer A: acknowledge & assess
S: start where the client is
P: protect Life (preventing danger to self and others)
I: informed Consent
R: rule out medical conditions, send to Dr. if medical
I: intoxication (don't treat if intoxicated)
N: non-judgmental
S: support self-determination
For "Best"/"Worst" or "MOST reasonable" questions
AREAFI - Answer What to do "FIRST" or "NEXT":
A: Acknowledge/Assess feelings
R: Refer
E: Educate
A: Advocate
F: Facilitate
I: Intervene
Levels of cognition - Answer knowledge (teaching facts, theories, etc)
comprehension
application
analysis
synthesis (creating something new)
evaluation (judging quality)
Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs - Answer Physiological
Safety
Love/belonging
Esteem
Self-actualization
Types of groups - Answer Shared problem, Counseling, Activity
self help, natural group, closed group, open group, structured, reference, crisis
Individual self-actualization occurs through... - Answer - release of feelings that block
social performance
- support from others
- orientation to reality and check out own reality with others
- reappraisal of self
Bowenian Family Therapy - Answer change through understanding multigenerational
dynamics
-driven to achieve balance of internal and external differentiation
, LMSW Exam With Correct Answers
2023 Version/A GRADE Exam
Logotherapy - Answer change through finding meaning in life, understanding
purpose
Problem solving therapy (aka Task Centered) - Answer change through supporting
client to take actions to address problems; client defined problems
-Short term
-Good for lower functioning, schizophrenia, homeless
Dialectical Behavior theory - Answer Aims to change behavioral, emotional, and
thinking patterns associated with dysfunction
-teaches mindfulness, suicidal behavior, emotional regulation, interpersonal
effectiveness
• Good for Borderline Personality Disorder
Narrative therapy - Answer Change occurs by externalizing problem and creating a
new narrative or story, which emphasizes the client's competencies and strengths.
-Problem separate of client, externalize the problem
Feminist Therapy - Answer Change through recognizing disempowering social
forces and empowering client.
-Good for eating disorders.
Emotional Triangulation - Answer Network of relationship between 3 people. Stable
until anxiety starts between dyad, then 3rd party is used to reduce anxiety.
structual family therapy - Answer SW engages family in restructuring; boundaries are
determined with Interpersonal, boundaries w/ outside world, hierarchal organization
of the family
Interpersonal family structure - Answer Family is defined. Promoted differentiation
and autonomy
Boundaries of the outside world (Structural family therapy) - Answer Defines family.
Must be permeable enough to maintain well functioning open system
hierarchal organization (Structural family therapy) - Answer in all families and
cultures. Maintained generationally; parent-child roles, rights, obligations, etc.
Strategic Family Therapy - Answer - Pretend technique
-1st order changes (superficial behavior changes)
-2nd order changes (systematic interaction patterns)
-Family homeostasis (preserve family organization and communication)
-Relabeling (change label attached to problem or person)
, LMSW Exam With Correct Answers
2023 Version/A GRADE Exam
-Paradoxical directive (prescribe symptomatic behavior so client realize it can be
controlled)
Suprasystem (systems theory) - Answer An entity that is served by a number of
component systems organized in interacting relationships
Throughput (system theory term) - Answer Energy that is integrated into the system
so it can be used by the system to accomplish its goals
Subsystem (systems theory) - Answer A major component of a system made up of
2+ independent components that interact in order to attain their own purpose(s) and
the purpose(s) of the system in which they are embedded
SOAP format (Assessment) - Answer Subjective: How are they doing since last visit
Objective: Vitals, physical exam, lab results
Assessment: Tasks S & O into short assessment
Plan: Done after assessment; treatment plan
Mental Status Exam (MSE) - Answer Appearance
Orientation (Time place events)
Speech (Slurred, pressed, slow)
Affect/Mood
Impulsivity (Potential of harm)
Judgement/Insight (Predict consequences)
Thought process (reality, thinking style)
Intellectual function/memory
Suicide Assessment (Danger to self) - Answer - Hx of attempt/family hx
- Lives alone, no social support
- Psych disorders (depression, anxiety)
- Substance use/abuse
- Media & peer exposure
- Losses
- Firearms or lethal weapons
Suicide Protective Factors - Answer - Social support, family connectedness
- Coping skills
-Access to clinical care/Treatment
- Religion & participation in religious activities
- Limited access to lethal methods
Risk Assessment (Suicide/Violence) - Answer - Frequency, intensity & duration of
suicidal or violent thoughts
- Access to available methods
2023 Version/A GRADE Exam
AASPIRINS - Answer A: acknowledge & assess
S: start where the client is
P: protect Life (preventing danger to self and others)
I: informed Consent
R: rule out medical conditions, send to Dr. if medical
I: intoxication (don't treat if intoxicated)
N: non-judgmental
S: support self-determination
For "Best"/"Worst" or "MOST reasonable" questions
AREAFI - Answer What to do "FIRST" or "NEXT":
A: Acknowledge/Assess feelings
R: Refer
E: Educate
A: Advocate
F: Facilitate
I: Intervene
Levels of cognition - Answer knowledge (teaching facts, theories, etc)
comprehension
application
analysis
synthesis (creating something new)
evaluation (judging quality)
Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs - Answer Physiological
Safety
Love/belonging
Esteem
Self-actualization
Types of groups - Answer Shared problem, Counseling, Activity
self help, natural group, closed group, open group, structured, reference, crisis
Individual self-actualization occurs through... - Answer - release of feelings that block
social performance
- support from others
- orientation to reality and check out own reality with others
- reappraisal of self
Bowenian Family Therapy - Answer change through understanding multigenerational
dynamics
-driven to achieve balance of internal and external differentiation
, LMSW Exam With Correct Answers
2023 Version/A GRADE Exam
Logotherapy - Answer change through finding meaning in life, understanding
purpose
Problem solving therapy (aka Task Centered) - Answer change through supporting
client to take actions to address problems; client defined problems
-Short term
-Good for lower functioning, schizophrenia, homeless
Dialectical Behavior theory - Answer Aims to change behavioral, emotional, and
thinking patterns associated with dysfunction
-teaches mindfulness, suicidal behavior, emotional regulation, interpersonal
effectiveness
• Good for Borderline Personality Disorder
Narrative therapy - Answer Change occurs by externalizing problem and creating a
new narrative or story, which emphasizes the client's competencies and strengths.
-Problem separate of client, externalize the problem
Feminist Therapy - Answer Change through recognizing disempowering social
forces and empowering client.
-Good for eating disorders.
Emotional Triangulation - Answer Network of relationship between 3 people. Stable
until anxiety starts between dyad, then 3rd party is used to reduce anxiety.
structual family therapy - Answer SW engages family in restructuring; boundaries are
determined with Interpersonal, boundaries w/ outside world, hierarchal organization
of the family
Interpersonal family structure - Answer Family is defined. Promoted differentiation
and autonomy
Boundaries of the outside world (Structural family therapy) - Answer Defines family.
Must be permeable enough to maintain well functioning open system
hierarchal organization (Structural family therapy) - Answer in all families and
cultures. Maintained generationally; parent-child roles, rights, obligations, etc.
Strategic Family Therapy - Answer - Pretend technique
-1st order changes (superficial behavior changes)
-2nd order changes (systematic interaction patterns)
-Family homeostasis (preserve family organization and communication)
-Relabeling (change label attached to problem or person)
, LMSW Exam With Correct Answers
2023 Version/A GRADE Exam
-Paradoxical directive (prescribe symptomatic behavior so client realize it can be
controlled)
Suprasystem (systems theory) - Answer An entity that is served by a number of
component systems organized in interacting relationships
Throughput (system theory term) - Answer Energy that is integrated into the system
so it can be used by the system to accomplish its goals
Subsystem (systems theory) - Answer A major component of a system made up of
2+ independent components that interact in order to attain their own purpose(s) and
the purpose(s) of the system in which they are embedded
SOAP format (Assessment) - Answer Subjective: How are they doing since last visit
Objective: Vitals, physical exam, lab results
Assessment: Tasks S & O into short assessment
Plan: Done after assessment; treatment plan
Mental Status Exam (MSE) - Answer Appearance
Orientation (Time place events)
Speech (Slurred, pressed, slow)
Affect/Mood
Impulsivity (Potential of harm)
Judgement/Insight (Predict consequences)
Thought process (reality, thinking style)
Intellectual function/memory
Suicide Assessment (Danger to self) - Answer - Hx of attempt/family hx
- Lives alone, no social support
- Psych disorders (depression, anxiety)
- Substance use/abuse
- Media & peer exposure
- Losses
- Firearms or lethal weapons
Suicide Protective Factors - Answer - Social support, family connectedness
- Coping skills
-Access to clinical care/Treatment
- Religion & participation in religious activities
- Limited access to lethal methods
Risk Assessment (Suicide/Violence) - Answer - Frequency, intensity & duration of
suicidal or violent thoughts
- Access to available methods
