Question 1

Social workers spend a lot of time documenting. Documentation records services provided while protecting a client's well-being. Future services will be assured if documentation is completed in a timely manner. What is the foremost thing to remember when completing this task?

Accepted Answer

All documentation of a social worker should only include facts that are directly related to services and safety. Privacy of the client should be protected to the extent possible. Sharing information with other providers requires consent by the client.

Question 2

Continuing education in the field of social work is a must. Professionals are hired on the foundation of expertise and should only accept work based on the willingness to acquire necessary training. What type of performance is being described?

Accepted Answer

Social workers must stay current with emerging methods and working techniques. It is their duty to become proficient in professional practice. Besides trainings, administration may offer conferences and seminars.

Question 3

Professionals deal with an array of individuals from different cultures. Social workers need to be aware of strengths that exist in everyone no matter what their race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender or disability may be. If a social worker is unable to provide services based on a lack of knowledge in this area, what should she or he do?

Accepted Answer

Culture and function in human behavior should be understood by social workers. Having base knowledge of a person's beliefs prior to services is of utmost importance. Any provisions made need to be sensitive to differences.

Question 4

Erica spends the day with clients as a social worker for the Department of Health and Human Services. Her work requires home visits, and most documentation is completed at this time. In between visits, Erica leaves case records in her car until she needs them. Due to a tight schedule on this particular day, she haphazardly throws papers on the backseat. A neighbor of one the clients walks by the vehicle and recognizes a name on one of the documentation sheets. What ethical standards were not followed by the social worker?

Accepted Answer

Social workers need to take reasonable steps to protect the confidentiality of each and every client. Written or electronic records are not to be available for anyone that does not have appropriate authorization.

Question 5

Alan has been providing social work services to a client for two weeks. When the issue of payment as set forth in the signed contract arises, the client is unable to come up with the money. However, the social worker is offered a free gym membership since the client works at the local fitness center part-time. What is the social worker's next move?

Accepted Answer

Bartering arrangements should be avoided at all times. The NASW Code of Ethics enforces this rule because it creates potential for exploitation and conflict. All written fee for service contracts should be approved and signed by both parties.

Question 6

A social worker is helping a family whose primary language is Spanish. The mother and children speak broken English, but there is great difficulty in reading within both languages. When the social worker attempts to orally go over a written consent with the mother, there is much confusion. What is the professional's next step?

Accepted Answer

It is the social worker's responsibility to ensure a client comprehends the services being provided and does not sign anything without full understanding. If a detailed verbal explanation is not appropriate due to a client's literacy or language barrier, a translator should be provided.

Question 7

Lisa is completing her graduate classes in social work. One of the requirements is to observe another professional in the field. Lisa contacts an agency and requests the opportunity to take part in an actual family assessment. What is the professional's responsibility prior to this event?

Accepted Answer

A professional social worker needs to have written consent prior to letting anyone else observe services being provided to a client. If a family refuses, their wishes must be honored. The social worker should be clear and understanding when informing the client of possible risks by a third party.

Question 8

Ryan is a social worker who gets a referral on a family with possible child neglect concerns. After completing a full assessment, he discovers there are definitely problems with parenting skills and the children may be at risk. Around the same time, Ryan receives a phone call at home from amechanic whois working on Ryan's vehicle. Soon it is discovered the mechanic is a relativeof the family and is aware of the services being provided. What should Ryan do at this point?

Accepted Answer

Social workers should always be alert to any conflicts of interest that can interfere with impartial judgment and professional discretion. When a conflict arises, the client should be immediately notified. Steps need to be taken to resolve the problem in a manner that reflects the client's best interests. Some cases require the social worker to terminate their services and refer the client to another professional.

Question 9

A local professional social worker is conducting a seminar on child abuse/neglect. During the course of the session, a prior case is described as an example. The names are left out, but physical location and ages are given. Soon a member in the audience is phoning a neighbor with information pertaining to her grandchildren. What area of expertise has been violated?

Accepted Answer

Social workers should never disclose identifying information when discussing clients for training or teaching purposes. In this example, the physical location and ages were enough for someone to recognize the family. Private information cannot be solicited from clients unless it is essential for providing services.

Question 10

Michael is set up on a blind date by some of his friends. When he meets Cathy at a restaurant, Michael instantly recognizes her. He provided social work services to Cathy twoyears prior. What is Michael's next move?

Accepted Answer

Social workers should never engage in personal relationships with clients due to a potential for harm. If a professional continues with such conduct, he/she is responsible for proving the client has not been exploited or manipulated.

Question 11

A social worker accepts a job in administration and will be leaving hercurrent position. How should the social worker handle her caseload?

Accepted Answer

Reasonable steps should be taken if a provider is still required, with careful consideration to factors that could cause adverse effects. Appropriate arrangements should be made for continuation of services when necessary.

Question 12

A client has been receiving social work services for threemonths and has not made a payment as agreed upon in a contract. The professional finds he cannot terminate services due to what condition?

Accepted Answer

A social worker cannot terminate services when a client poses an imminent danger to self or others. Social workers can terminate services to clients when they no longer serve their needs or interests. This can also occur due to non-payment or an overdue balance as agreed upon in a contract. A professional is responsible for discussing payment arrangements as set forth in a mutual contract.

Question 13

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?

Accepted Answer

Madison should talk to her colleague with the drug abuse problem. 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 individual should first be consulted and assisted in taking action. The problem may be due to drug/alcohol abuse, mental health problems or personal issues.

Question 14

David has confronted a fellow colleague about his alcohol problem, even offering to seek help. The colleague denies having an issue and refuses the assistance from David. Job performance is becoming poor and the colleague arrives late for work every day. What is David's next step?

Accepted Answer

A social worker should always attempt to assist colleagues with their problems and help with remedial action when the impairment interferes with practice effectiveness. When adequate steps are not taken to rectify the problem, action needs to be sought through the appropriate channels. This may include a supervisor or the NASW licensing board.

Question 15

A social worker has been reported by a client to the NASW licensing board for unethical conduct. The professional's colleagues know this charge is not true. What should they do?

Accepted Answer

Professional social workers should assist and defend their colleagues when there is knowledge they have been wrongly charged with unethical conduct. All social workers should be knowledgeable of local, state and national procedures for handling ethics complaints.

Question 16

A client is receiving services from a social worker one time per week. The question is raised about possibly seeing a psychologist and the social worker reports holding a license in that field, also. When the client contacts the professional's employing agency, it is discovered the information is false. What type of violation is taking place?

Accepted Answer

Social workers should only claim credentials they actually hold and take the proper steps to correct any misrepresentations. All qualifications, education, competence, affiliations and service should be accurate.

Question 17

It is the social worker's ethical responsibility to expand opportunities for all individuals. Special provisions should be made for those who are oppressed, vulnerable, exploited or disadvantaged. In regards to social and political action, what stand should a professional take?

Accepted Answer

Professional social workers should take part in social and political action when it ensures equal access to resources for all individuals. Whenever possible, one should advocate for changes in legislation that will improve conditions for meeting human needs and encouraging diversity.

Question 18

What does the NASW Code of Ethics offer to social work professionals?

Accepted Answer

The NASW Code of Ethics is a set of standards, principles and values utilized for decision making when ethical issues arise. There is no specific ranking within the code and issues will be judged by a peer review process. Situations differ and professionals must take into account the context by which the rules should fit.

Question 19

Ethical principles are based on the core values of social workers and establish ideals to which all professionals should follow. When knowledge, values and skills are drawn upon to help people in need address social problems, what value is being demonstrated?

Accepted Answer

The primary goal of all professionals is to aid people in need with social problems. Occasionally, social workers will be asked to volunteer their expertise with no financial return and seek services to others above their own interests.

Question 20

Kelley is a social worker seeking to enhance a client's capacity to change. The idea is to have the client address hisown needs by resolving conflicts between interests and the broader society. This should be handled in a socially responsible manner and is an example of what principle value?

Accepted Answer

Self-determination should always be promoted by the social worker in a caring and respectful manner. A professional needs to be understanding of cultural, ethnic and individual differences. There is a dual responsibility to be recognized by the social worker in regards to the client and society.

Quiz 4: Professionalism: Ethical Issues in Social Work