ASWB LSW Complete Exam Prep 2025/2026: DSM-5,
Theories, Human Development, Ethics & Evidence-
Based Social Work Practice Questions
James has severe anger issues and feels rage toward family members,
especially the women in his family. James says today in the session he plans
to kill his mother for failing to protect him. He plans to do so by wrapping his
hands around her neck until her face turns blue. You know the mother lives in
the greater metropolitan area, but you do not know where. Your FIRST step is
to:
-Call the police and provide as much relevant information as is available
-Seek collegial consultation
-Ask James if he has ever tried something like that before
-Ask James to call the mother in your presence and warn her - correct
answer Call the police and provide as much relevant information as is
available
Explanation: The first step is to provide security to the extent possible.
Contacting the local authorities is the priority as this allows them to deal with
the threat accordingly.
The BEST approach to take as a crisis intervention therapist seeking to de-
escalate and stabilize a crisis situation is to be:
-Active, directive, and systematic
,-Passive, non-directive, and systematic
-Active and non-directive, fostering self-determination and client-desired
outcome
-Active, fostering self-determination and client-desired outcome - correct
answer Active, directive, and systematic
Explanation: The best approach to take with a crisis situation requiring de-
escalation and stabilization is to be active, directive, and systematic. When in
an active state of crisis, clients are not able to muster required resources for
problem-solving and safety.
A young couple presents for counseling following police intervention for
domestic violence. He admits to drinking "a few too many sometimes, but
usually only 8-10 beers." The FIRST step is to:
-Provide informed consent for treatment
-Instead of treating him, refer him to detox and addiction help
-Assess for safety
-Support the couple's right to self-determination - correct answer Assess for
safety
Explanation: The first step is to assess the situation for safety to determine the
level of threat present in the home, given current risk factors for age, police
involvement, and alcohol. There is no indication he is currently intoxicated
though he may be dependent and at risk for medical complications. Full
, assessment is required before a treatment plan can be presented or the
couple can voice their desires for what may and may not be available to them.
Joan is 60 and just retired after 30 years of teaching at a local community
college. Joan felt good about herself when she worked, but now she wonders
what she is worth and who she is outside of her professional life. Joan is
married and has two grown children who are starting their own families. She
feels out of place when she's around them, not knowing how she fits in. What
is your FIRST assumption about the precipitating events from a life cycle
theoretical perspective?
-Conditions of worth imposed by the workplace and family
-Problem-saturated story impacted by oppressive internalized view of self
-Current developmental event impacted by the developmental events of other
family members
-Classical conditioning leading to uncertainty, perpetuated by irrational beliefs
- correct answer Current developmental event impacted by the
developmental events of other family members
Explanation: From an individual or family life cycle theoretical perspective, the
primary assumption about Joan's situation is based on her current
developmental stage and retirement, which is compounded by her family's
changing landscape as they begin their own families.
Sue calls a social worker and reports her 95-year-old father does not have
sufficient cognitive functioning to maintain his finances. What should the social
worker do NEXT?
Theories, Human Development, Ethics & Evidence-
Based Social Work Practice Questions
James has severe anger issues and feels rage toward family members,
especially the women in his family. James says today in the session he plans
to kill his mother for failing to protect him. He plans to do so by wrapping his
hands around her neck until her face turns blue. You know the mother lives in
the greater metropolitan area, but you do not know where. Your FIRST step is
to:
-Call the police and provide as much relevant information as is available
-Seek collegial consultation
-Ask James if he has ever tried something like that before
-Ask James to call the mother in your presence and warn her - correct
answer Call the police and provide as much relevant information as is
available
Explanation: The first step is to provide security to the extent possible.
Contacting the local authorities is the priority as this allows them to deal with
the threat accordingly.
The BEST approach to take as a crisis intervention therapist seeking to de-
escalate and stabilize a crisis situation is to be:
-Active, directive, and systematic
,-Passive, non-directive, and systematic
-Active and non-directive, fostering self-determination and client-desired
outcome
-Active, fostering self-determination and client-desired outcome - correct
answer Active, directive, and systematic
Explanation: The best approach to take with a crisis situation requiring de-
escalation and stabilization is to be active, directive, and systematic. When in
an active state of crisis, clients are not able to muster required resources for
problem-solving and safety.
A young couple presents for counseling following police intervention for
domestic violence. He admits to drinking "a few too many sometimes, but
usually only 8-10 beers." The FIRST step is to:
-Provide informed consent for treatment
-Instead of treating him, refer him to detox and addiction help
-Assess for safety
-Support the couple's right to self-determination - correct answer Assess for
safety
Explanation: The first step is to assess the situation for safety to determine the
level of threat present in the home, given current risk factors for age, police
involvement, and alcohol. There is no indication he is currently intoxicated
though he may be dependent and at risk for medical complications. Full
, assessment is required before a treatment plan can be presented or the
couple can voice their desires for what may and may not be available to them.
Joan is 60 and just retired after 30 years of teaching at a local community
college. Joan felt good about herself when she worked, but now she wonders
what she is worth and who she is outside of her professional life. Joan is
married and has two grown children who are starting their own families. She
feels out of place when she's around them, not knowing how she fits in. What
is your FIRST assumption about the precipitating events from a life cycle
theoretical perspective?
-Conditions of worth imposed by the workplace and family
-Problem-saturated story impacted by oppressive internalized view of self
-Current developmental event impacted by the developmental events of other
family members
-Classical conditioning leading to uncertainty, perpetuated by irrational beliefs
- correct answer Current developmental event impacted by the
developmental events of other family members
Explanation: From an individual or family life cycle theoretical perspective, the
primary assumption about Joan's situation is based on her current
developmental stage and retirement, which is compounded by her family's
changing landscape as they begin their own families.
Sue calls a social worker and reports her 95-year-old father does not have
sufficient cognitive functioning to maintain his finances. What should the social
worker do NEXT?
