SOWK 7310: Intro to Social Work Practice
Quiz Questions for Midterm Review
Gordon-Garofalo
Teresa works at Catholic Charities Creative Services, where she fills in the gaps in what that
agency offers. She put together an educational package for pregnant immigrants to help them
understand the physical and psychological changes they will experience. What social work role
is she performing?
Program Developer
Counselor
Advocate
Planner
Steve works at a family service agency providing various services for individuals, families, and
couples. One of his clients, a 65-year-old single man, has recently lost his wife after a long
struggle with cancer. He is finding it difficult to manage his feelings and adjust to living alone.
Steve refers his client to a grief group which meets weekly at a local church. What social work
role best captures what Steve performed?
Broker
Facilitator/expediter
Organizational analyst
Consultant
Jayla works in collaboration with a divorce lawyer to help couples make decisions about life
after marriage. Usually the decisions concern the division of property or child custody
arrangements. Jayla’s ultimate strategy is to help partners focus more on the issues, such as
the best interests of the child, rather than allow their emotions to take center stage. What social
work role best captures what Jayla performs?
Mediator
Expediter
Advocate
Facilitator
Which of the following social work values refers to social workers’ respect for the inherent value
of the persons with whom they work?
a. Access to resources
*b. Dignity and worth
c. Interpersonal relationships
d. Integrity
_____ refers to the dynamic when a client consciously or unconsciously associates the social
worker with past experiences in such a way that perceptions and interactions with the social
worker are affected.
a. Competence
b. Paternalistic beneficence
c. Transference
d. Nonpossessive warmth
Linda is an 80-year-old woman living with her daughter. She recently broke her hip. Her doctor
wants to refer her to a rehabilitation facility but Linda refuses to go. She is referred to a social
worker who is trying to make arrangements for her to be treated at home. By facilitating her
treatment at home, the social worker is upholding the client’s right to _____.
*a. self-determination
b. competence
c. risk management
d. Paternalism
Which of the following is an appropriate strategy to use when a social worker cannot accept the
client’s behaviors or beliefs?
*a. Acknowledging the client’s reactions and exploring them through supervision or
therapy
b. Transferring the client to another social worker and informing the client that the reason
for it is personal rejection
c. Convincing the client to change his or her behaviors or beliefs before helping him or
her
d. Condoning all the behaviors of the client and masking feelings while working with the
client
It is acceptable for a social worker to override a client’s autonomy when:
a. the client is capable of making decisions with others’ help.
*b. the client is judged not to have sufficient decision-making capacity.
c. the client is from a minority culture.
d. the relatives of the client request the social worker.
Which of the following statements is true of informed consent?
a. Once clients give consent, they surrender the right to revoke it later.
b. Professionals should not inform clients of limits to services they can provide.
*c. Clients should be informed when services are provided by a social work student.
d. Informed consent should not be an active part of the helping process.
Which of the following statements is true of preserving professional boundaries?
*a. Dual relationships are to be avoided when there is a risk of exploitation.
b. A sexual relationship with a client is permissible after the termination of the
professional relationship.
c. The social worker is not responsible for any harm that may come to a client as the
result of dual relationships.
d. Business relationships between social workers and former clients are encouraged.
_____ refers to a social worker’s responsibility to respect clients’ privacy, to gather information
only for the purpose of providing effective services, and to disclose information only with clients’
consent.
*a. Confidentiality
b. Supervision
c. Paternalism
d. Transference
After a long and busy day, a social worker takes a much needed 10-minute break, leaving client
information displayed on the computer screen. This situation in which the social worker leaves
client information on the screen is a violation of the client’s _____.
a.
self-determination
*b. confidentiality
c.
legal responsibility
d.
informed consent
Under which of the following scenarios is it inappropriate for a social worker to
disclose case information?
a. When seeking supervision
b. When a signed release form is part of agency records
*c. When consulting with friends about case strategies
d. When a client presents a risk to himself or herself or someone else
In the Tarasoff case, the court ruled that:
a. social workers must immediately inform the police if they suspect child or elder abuse.
*b. mental health professionals have an obligation to protect their clients’ intended
victims.
c. social workers can disclose a client’s identity while consulting with colleagues.
d. the right to privacy is fundamental and cannot be breached in any situation.
When a social worker has reasons to believe a child has been abused, the social worker should:
a. disclose the information to the child’s teachers and friends.
*b. report the suspicions to child protective services.
c. give the child’s family a chance to improve their parenting practices.
d. explore the circumstances in the child’s home to determine if they are generally
positive.
When maintaining client records, social workers should:
a. include as much detail as possible about the client’s life using professional jargon.
b. update entries only after the case is closed.
*c. keep case records in locked files.
d. include verbatim or process recordings in case files.
Chapter 5
To achieve positive results in role clarification while dealing with a new client, a social worker
should:
a. not emphasize client responsibility.
b. avoid mentioning that difficulties are inherent in the process.
*c. determine the client’s expectations.
d. avoid the person-in-the-environment focus.
Taking the time to explore expectations and to clarify how you can be of assistance to your
clients goes a long way in:
a. granting immunity to you from prosecutions if an intervention backfires.
*b. preventing clients from drawing unwarranted negative conclusions.
c. enabling you and your clients to set your own ethical standards.
d. enabling you to force clients to pursue a particular course of advocacy action.
Which of the following skills is essential for creating facilitative conditions for change and
growth?
*a. Empathy
b. Conditional regard
c. Possessive warmth
d. Rigidity
Which of the following actions of a social worker will reduce the level of threat perceived by an
involuntary client and mitigate his or her defensiveness?
a. Stating rigid views
*b. Empathizing with the situation
c. Limiting self-exploration
d. Blaming those responsible for the client’s referral
Ms. Genelia cries while telling you about the recent death of her mother, whom she describes
as one of her strongest supporters. You respond, “I know exactly how you feel. My mother died
two years ago. We had a similar relationship. I cried for two weeks after her death.” This is an
example of:
a. assertive responding.
b. compassion fatigue.
*c. sympathetic responding.
d. level 3 empathic responding.
In a session with his social worker, a client states that the cops arrested him because he is a
member of a racial minority group. Which of the following statements is an example of an
empathic response?
a. Why do you think that the cops arrested you because of your race?
b. It must be really difficult to live in this hostile environment.
*c. Would I be correct if I said that you felt harassed by the cops?
d. What does your arrest have to do with your job search?
A female client, aged 35, has a cancerous tumor in her breast. She has been scheduled to
undergo surgery and have her breast removed. She says, “I am worried about whether I will still
be attractive to my partner or not even if I am cured.” Which of the following statements is a
Level 3 reciprocal response to the client’s concerns?
*a. So you are apprehensive that you might be physically safer after the surgery, but that
your partner might not feel the same way about you?
b. Can you not think about the alternative, the consequences of not having the cancer
removed?
c. You should focus on tackling one issue at a time.
d. You’ll just have to be patient. I can see that you are worried.
In the context of empathic communication between social workers and clients, which of the
following statements is true of confrontation?
a. It is employed to expand clients’ awareness and to motivate them to action.
b. It is ineffective when clients are contemplating actions that are unlawful.
c. It is employed to make a client pay attention to other people’s feelings and
circumstances.
d. It is ineffective when clients are contemplating actions that are dangerous to
themselves.
During a session with a social worker, a 30-year-old client conveys angry feelings about the
trauma of his childhood abuse. Which of the following statements would be an appropriate Level
4 additive empathy response?
a. You are likely to succeed in gaining your self-respect at the conclusion of the case
plan.
b. I had undergone similar trauma during my childhood.
c. You are really upset about what happened and you are wondering if you will ever gain
your self-respect.
d. How did you get along with your last social worker?
In the course of a session with a social worker, if a client becomes pensive, or shows
puzzlement through facial expressions, the social worker should:
a. ignore the client’s actions.
*b. verbalize the feeling explicitly through a reflective response.
c. wait for the client to verbalize the feelings.
d. ask the client if he or she wants to stop the session.
A social worker tells a teenage client, “I am wondering whether your difficulty in studying is
related to your resentment for your father?” This statement is an example of a(n) _____.
a. discrepant viewpoint
b. semantic interpretation
*c. propositional interpretation
d. reciprocal-level empathic response
Which of the following helps social workers to effectively employ interpretation and additive
empathy?
a. Using additive empathy liberally during the first meeting with a client
b. Using several additive empathic responses in succession
*c. Phrasing interpretive responses in tentative terms
d. Pushing clients into rapidly acquiring new insights
Social workers should avoid making interpretations that:
a. bring to light discrepant viewpoints.
*b. are far removed from the awareness of clients.
c. might require self-exploration.
d. are intended to provide a fresh perspective to clients.
_____ often leads to an interactive cycle of confrontation and denial between a social worker
and a client in which the client acts to protect his or her self-esteem by denying charges.
a. Self-confrontation
*b. Aggressive confrontation
c. Nonassertive behavior
d. Escapist behavior
“I am concerned that your license as a physical therapist might be at risk because failure to
disclose a criminal record on a job application is illegal.” This statement by a social worker is an
example of a(n) _____.
*a. assertive confrontation
b. destructive confrontation
c. discrepant viewpoint
d. aggressive style
Social workers can encourage clients to engage in self-confrontation by:
a. employing the aggressive-passive style of communication.
*b. asking them questions that cause them to reflect on the relationship between their
behaviors and their own values.
c. making several additive empathic responses in succession when meeting a client for
the first time.
d. phrasing interpretive responses to the client’s opinion in absolute terms without
leaving any scope for confusion rather than using tentative terms.
In the context of social work, which of the following is a guideline for employing confrontation
effectively?
a. Use confrontation when clients are experiencing extreme emotional strain.
b. Use confrontation as often as possible.
c. Expect immediate change after confrontation.
*d. Encourage self-confrontation whenever possible.
Which of the following forms of assessment is most helpful in understanding the history and life
experiences of a child?
a. Functional assessment
b. Play therapy
c. Standardized screening tools
d. Developmental assessment
Which of the following statements best describes assessment?
a. It is completed during the initial exploratory phase.
b. It highlights the dynamics of preferred outcome.
c. It is a synthesis of relevant information and a tentative hypothesis.
d. It involves the ongoing discussion to determine a diagnosis.
In assessment, A-B-C refers to:
a. accepting-believing-confirming
b. apology-betrayal-conciliation
c. antecedent-behavior-consequence
d. advocate-broker-case manager
"Enactment" provides what type of data for assessment?
a. Direct observation
b. Instrument
c. Self-monitoring
d. Collateral information
The reasons why it is important to explore clients' emotional reactions to their problems include
all of the following EXCEPT:
a. people often gain relief from expressing troubling emotions related to problems
b. emotional reactions can block hidden motives that underlie problem behaviors
c. the emotions of some people impel them to behave in ways that exacerbate their
problems
d. intense emotional reactions can become primary problems
Which of the following questions does NOT address the meaning clients ascribe to problems?
a. What conclusions have you drawn about losing your job?
b. What happened after he told you that you would be fired?
c. Why do you think he fired you?
d. What do you make of his decision to fire you?
You have just begun working with an elderly woman. You want to better assess her ability to
perform tasks associated with her daily living. Which of the following assessments is most
appropriate?
a. Physical examination
b. Functional assessment
c. Collateral contacts
d. Standardized screening tools
The authors suggest all of the following guidelines for practitioners who are culturally different
than their clients EXCEPT:
a. use slang and other colloquial terms to demonstrate familiarity with the culture
b. acknowledge differences
c. take on a learner role about culture
d. ask clients about their experiences with practitioners from another culture
"You've done a good job of describing situations where you feel anxious being in crowds. Can
you describe a situation when you aren't feeling anxious in crowds?" This is an example of:
a. strengths-based assessment
b. seeking exceptions
c. scaling the problem
d. seeking concreteness
Asking a client to rate how much they feel commitment to solving their problem is an example
of:
a. scaling motivation
b. scaling the problem
c. seeking exceptions
d. miracle question
The most frequent symptom of suicidal risk with adolescents is:
a. decreased concentration
b. persecution ideation
c. depressed mood
d. negative self-image
All of the following are essential components of motivational interviewing EXCEPT:
a. Reflective listening
b. Subjective observation
c. Summarizing
d. Open-ended questions
In discussing substance use with clients, the most effective approach is:
a. prescriptive
b. straightforward
c. educational
d. authentic
Mr. J has been abusing alcohol for most of his adult life. He confides that it has become a
problem and he feels he needs to change, but he does not know where to begin. What stage of
change would best characterize Mr. J's sentiment?
a. Precontemplation
b. Maintenance
c. Contemplation
d. Determination
Working together with a client to complete a genogram can give a social worker all of the
following information EXCEPT:
a. the family's financial situation
b. a history of past illnesses
c. relationships within the family
d. significant life events
Referral information for Ms. J indicates a "dual diagnosis." What does this term refer to?
a. the presence of both affective and thought disorders
b. the presence of both addictive and mental health disorders
c. the presence of both physical and addictive disorders
d. the presence of both medical and mental health disorders
Your progress notes should reflect all of the following EXCEPT:
a. Objective data
b. Subjective observations
c. Conclusions
d. Plans
You describe your client as having no interest in activities that she used to find pleasurable.
What word could you use to describe this in your assessment?
a. Anhedonia
b. Delusional thinking
c. Ideas of reference
d. Agoraphobia
Assessing a client's judgment involves the extent to which they are able to:
a. perceive reality
b. stay focused on a given topic
c. consider consequences
d. know what day it is
When you visit Ms. L she is not oriented to place and time and believes she has the power to
control others' thoughts. Based on this, you later write in your assessment that Ms. L has:
a. Poor self-concept
b. Borderline intellectual functioning
c. Poor reality testing
d. A lack of judgment
The first client Andrew saw on a particular Monday needed to be assisted quickly. The client
and her two children had been kicked out of her parent’s house, and she had no place to turn.
Following a short assessment, which included questions to evaluate risks of violence or suicide,
Andrew helped set up referrals for temporary housing along with food assistance. The client had
never faced such a situation and Andrew focused on helping her re-establish the stability in her
life that existed before she left her parent’s house. Although the session only lasted 90 minutes,
Andrew followed up later in the day and learned that the family’s food and housing needs were
met, and the family was connected with a case manager who would continue to help. The type
of counseling that best describes Andrew’s intervention is ________.
crisis intervention
time-limited therapy
generalist practice
the strengths approach
Regarding crisis Intervention in social service agencies, hospitals and clinics, schools, and
communities, it is suggested that best practice is ________.
having a crisis plan in place before the crisis takes place
having a crisis team trained and identified
having pre-established policies and organizational structures
all of the above
In crisis counseling, the first area you should assess after learning about the nature of the crisis
is the client’s ________.
underlying problem
motivation
safety
strengths and resources