ASWB LCSW Online Practice Questions and Exam Preparation

ASWB LCSW Online Questions & Answers

• Question 1:

  Trauma is expressed best by recognizing not just objective facts but also the subjective emotional experiences of an event. It is a situation that leaves you feeling overwhelmed and alone. A stressful event is more likely to be traumatizing if:

  A. It happens unexpectedly
  B. One feels powerless to prevent it
  C. Someone was intentionally cruel
  D. Any of the above
  D. Any of the above

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  A stressful event is more likely to be traumatic if it happens unexpectedly, is unpreventable or if it involves intentional cruelty. Psychological and emotional trauma is the result of extraordinary events that underplay one's sense of security, making them vulnerable and helpless. It can be caused by a one-time occurrence or an ongoing stressor. Commonly overlooked sources of trauma may include sports injuries, surgery, or humiliating experiences.

• Question 2:

  Madison is aware of a fellow colleague with a drug abuse problem. Until recently, it did not appear to be affecting job performance. Now the colleague is missing work and failing to meet with clients as required. Madison does not want to get her fellow worker in trouble and feels someone else will eventually notice the problem. How else could this be handled?

  A. Surprise drug testing at the workplace
  B. Tell another colleague aboutthe problem
  C. Tell a supervisor immediately
  D. Talk to the colleague having a problem
  D. Talk to the colleague having a problem

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  Madison should first talk to her coworker with the drug abuse problem. Clinical social workers are professionals in many fields, and this should also fall into place with their own colleagues. If there is direct knowledge of a fellow worker's impairment, that indMdual should first be consulted and assisted in taking action.

• Question 3:

  The nation's leading medical problem is not cancer, lung or heart disease. The problem has definite causes and effects on one in five adult Americans. Research suggests genetic, neurological, biochemical, psychological and environmental origins. What condition is being described?

  A. Hearing loss
  B. Vision loss
  C. Mental illness
  D. Physical disability
  C. Mental illness

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  More than 57 million Americans, or about one in four adults, suffer from a diagnosable mental disorder in a given year. The sooner symptoms are recognized the better. IndMduals in fear of losing control of their lives require help. Symptoms to look for include: depression, excessive sleeping, deterioration of relationships, unusual behavior, social withdrawal and the inability to express feelings.

• Question 4:

  MadeIine is a clinical social worker who is at a school function with her son when she recognizes a young boy involved in one of her cases. The child appears to be one of her son's close friends and immediately remembers MadeIine. Before

  the social worker can avoid the conversation, the child says, "You're the lady that comes to my house all the time." This immediately brings up questions from Made|ine's son.

  What should she do?

  A. Lie to her son and say she does not knowthe boy
  B. Protect her son by taking him home immediately
  C. Tell her son she is not at liberty to discuss it. Redirect any continuing questions.
  D. Not allow her son to play with him while she is there
  C. Tell her son she is not at liberty to discuss it. Redirect any continuing questions.

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  The clinical social worker recognizes this situation as a conflict of interest underthe NASW Code of Ethics. Instead of alienating her son's friendship with the child, she should let her son know she cannot answer his question and redirect the conversation to a less sensitive topic. MadeIine needs to make administration aware of the problem and allow them the decision as to whether or not to transfer the case to another professional. In rural areas, it is often part of the job to professionally manage dual relationships, as the community is too small to avoid working with people you may see in a social venue. In these cases, professional boundaries and close supervision are important.

• Question 5:

  A clinical social worker ensures that an assessment plan flows naturally from children and family to service planning. Face-to-face meetings are conducted to assess needs and recognize positive strengths. Other agencies may be involved

  including teachers, therapists, and other community support systems.

  What type of assessment encompasses all ofthe above?

  A. Cognitive behavioral assessment
  B. Family fundamentals assessment
  C. Community relations assessment
  D. Functional assessment
  D. Functional assessment

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  A functional assessment is one of the key factors in achieving the well -being, safety and permanence of a child. The family and children are engaged as partners in the entire process. Family assessments are needs- based, team-based and strengths-based. They make use of family systems relationships.

• Question 6:

  A clinical social worker is providing services for a client who suffered years of sexual abuse by a guardian. There is very little rapport, and the professional understands the challenges ahead. What needs to be established before therapy can be successful?

  A. Completion ofa thorough assessment
  B. Foundation based on a trusting relationship
  C. Intimate relationship
  D. None ofthe above
  B. Foundation based on a trusting relationship

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  Before therapy can be successful, an intimate relationship must be established between the clinical social worker and the client. A relationship in social work is defined as a beginning and end with human encounters between two or more people.

• Question 7:

  Bill and Nlaria are in their late thirties. They are both prominent in their careers and well established financially. The decision has been made to start bringing children into their small family. Nlaria is concerned that her energy level may not be as high as it once was. Bill worries about lMng long enough to see his children into adulthood. What positive aspects should a clinical social worker educate the couple about?

  A. Parents between the ages of 35 and 40 have over 15 years of adult life experience.
  B. Middle-aged parents have a strong sense of personal identity.
  C. Adults in midlife have a deeper sense of life values.
  D. All of the above
  D. All of the above

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  There are more positives about having children in the middle years than negatives. Financial stability and a profound sense of worth enable couples to bring life experiences into to their child rearing techniques. IndMduals in their twenties sometimes do not feel psychologically ready for the commitments involved in having children.

• Question 8:

  Anorexia is a severe eating disorder that may coexist with psychiatric and physical illness. Most people with this problem see themselves as overweight and are ten times more likely to die than those who eat nutritionally. IndMduals suffering with anorexia may exercise extensively, induce vomiting or misuse Iaxatives. Which of the following is not a symptom associated with long-term anorexia?

  A. Loss of menses
  B. Thickening of bone tissue
  C. Drop in internal blood temperature
  D. Brittle hair and nails
  B. Thickening of bone tissue

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  Thickening of bone tissue is not associated with long-term anorexia; rather, most indMduals suffering from anorexia will have a thinning of the bones or osteoporosis. Other symptoms include severe constipation, low blood pressure and

  yellowish skin. Treatment for anorexia involves three components:

  restoring healthy weight, treating psychological problems, and eliminating behaviors leading to the disorder.

• Question 9:

  Task-centered therapy focuses on the belief that indMduals have both the resources and the desire to solve their problems. Family and environmental systems may block or facilitate resolution. Collaboration between therapist and client is utilized to define problems and solutions. Treatment is short-term, and focuses on what?

  A. The environment milieu
  B. Specific interventions to resolve problems
  C. The final outcome desired
  D. The cIient's thoughts about the problems
  B. Specific interventions to resolve problems

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  Task-centered therapy identifies specific approaches to address problems in a short period of time. In collaboration with the client, barriers are identified and teamed with specific interventions to address them.

• Question 10:

  The definition of extended families has changed over the years. More recently, a family is usually spread out across the country. MiddIe and upper class indMduals tend to move away based on occupational opportunities. Lower class families tend to move toward each other when locating housing or financial stability. With the geological isolation coming into play, families are found to be more private than they once were. What is one ofthe consequences of children having fewer adults in their lives?

  A. Less knowledgeable of family history
  B. More emotionally dependent on parents
  C. Further isolated among peers
  D. Unable to socialize appropriately
  B. More emotionally dependent on parents

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  When fewer adults are present in a chiId's life, they will not consider a seldom seen relative important. Their focus and dependency lies solely with the parents. Children miss out on sharing values, tasks and attitudes.