Question 1

A 23-year-old client named Amber has isolated herself from others due to feelings of inadequacy. The social worker understands the well-being of the client cannot be secured without the help of others and asks Amber's parents to be involved in the therapy. What value is being recognized?

Accepted Answer

Strengthening relationships among individuals helps in the restoration of a client's family, community, and social group. The importance of human relationships is tremendous when enhancing a person's wellbeing. Social workers recognize relationships as being an avenue for change.

Question 2

John walks past a fellow social worker's desk and overhears parts of a conversation. The colleague is making demeaning comments about another professional to someone on the other end of the line. Later, during lunch, John asks his colleague about the conversation. The colleague states he was talking with a client. What ethical standard has been violated by the fellow social worker?

Accepted Answer

Social workers should always avoid negative criticism towards other colleagues while in the presence of other professionals or clients. Respect should be demonstrated by accurately describing the views, obligations and qualifications of other colleagues. Demeaning comments may refer to race, sex, gender, age, color, marital status, political beliefs and competency.

Question 3

Two social workers are discussing a case in a conference room. One of the colleagues is consulting with the other about a specific request from a client. Not sure how to handle the situation, expertise from another professional seemed like the best answer. When is it justifiable to consult with others about a client?

Accepted Answer

Advice can be requested from other professionals if it is in the best interest of the client. Disclosure of information should be restricted to ensure confidentiality. Social workers need to be aware of other colleagues and their areas of expertise.

Question 4

Mr. Bentley has been providing social work services to a client for threeweeks based on a referral for self-esteem issues. During the course of assessment, it is discovered there are also drug abuse problems. Since this is not an area of expertise for Mr. Bentley, what should his next step be?

Accepted Answer

When a provider cannot adequately serve a client, the clientshould be referred to a professional with the necessary expertise. Responsibilities should be transferred in an orderly fashion with client's consent. If a social worker is not making reasonable progress with a client, it is only ethical to make arrangements beneficial to everyone involved.

Question 5

Miranda discovers that a client she has been working with is secretly stalking a fellow colleague. The other professional had provided services to the client one year ago for alcohol abuse. Miranda understands her obligation to protect the client's confidentiality and privacy. What makes this an exception?

Accepted Answer

This situation is an exception to confidentiality and privacy considerations because Miranda's colleague could be in danger of serious harm. Miranda should still only disclose information relevant to the potentially threatening situation.Any other disclosures require the consent of the client.

Question 6

Social workers need to obtain informed consent prior to services provided by telephone, computer, radio or television. Client approval is also necessary prior to:

Accepted Answer

All of the above situations require client approval and consent. Valid informed consent is the basis of a professional relationship between social worker and client. Should there be language barriers, comprehension problems or literacy issues, steps need to be taken to ensure understanding.

Question 7

Cassandra is a single mother who becomes upset with her social worker when a referral is made for parenting classes. The client feels that she is not a bad mother and that there is not a problem. Cassandra demands to see her records, but the social worker is concerned that some of the information found within may cause emotional harm. How should the professional deal with this problem?

Accepted Answer

Anytime a client requests records that may be emotionally harmful, they should be limited in their access. The professional needs to assist in the interpretation of all data. It is the social worker's duty to be sure identifying information towards others is eliminated.

Question 8

Mrs. Moore recently completed an assessment on the Wilkins family. There are several problems within the household unit that need to be addressed. A new intervention practice has been shown to be effective in similar cases. Should Mrs. Moore utilize this new approach?

Accepted Answer

Social workers should demonstrate competency within the boundaries of their knowledge. A new intervention should only be utilized after a professional has received training, consultation and supervision.

Question 9

Bethany discovers that a male colleague has been getting a higher pay grade. They both have the same expertise and work with the same clientele. As soon as this information is obtained, Bethany goes directly to court without first contacting her supervisor. This is legal under what law?

Accepted Answer

The Equal Pay Act requires that men and women in the same workplace receive equal pay for the same work. This includes bonuses, overtime pay and stock options. NASW does not tolerate gender-based pay discrimination.

Question 10

A social worker's client is hospitalized with a serious heart condition. The client will require an in-home nurse after she is discharged. However, the client is currently incapacitated to make arrangements for her own care.How should the professional get the proper paperwork and consent forms signed?

Accepted Answer

A client's best interest should always be of utmost importance. Social workers can seek out a third party if they will act in a manner consistent with the client's wishes. Attempt to inform the client to the best of their understanding.

Question 11

A team of professionals gathered to help a family devastated by flood. The social worker provided therapy to help promote empowerment among the family members. A housing program found an affordable apartment and helped the clients relocate. The Red Cross provided food and clothing necessary for daily living. At a recent luncheon for flood victims, the work and contributions made by all were recognized. What ethical rule is being followed?

Accepted Answer

Social workers should only take credit for the jobs they have actually performed. Cooperation with other professionals in different areas serves the well-being of clientele. All team members and their accomplishment should be acknowledged.

Question 12

Social work services are being provided for a family referred due to child sexual abuse by a guardian. The perpetrator is currently in jail, but will be released soon due to a lack of evidence. The children are fearful of his return, and the mother still claims his innocence. An adult daughtercontacts the social worker with reports of her own sexual abuse by the same man many years ago. Her testimony is consistent with that of the younger children, and the perpetrator is sentenced to more jail time. Why was this information not a violation of confidentiality?

Accepted Answer

The social worker acted appropriately due to the danger of the children involved. The proper information was shared in a court of law. Allowing the perpetrator back into society places the clients in an imminent situation.

Question 13

Social workers undergo annual reviews by administration. During an evaluation, a supervisor docks points with his female employees due to not wearing dresses in the job setting. He feels this is preferable work attire and should be taken seriously. Does the supervisor have the authority to complete a review in this manner?

Accepted Answer

There is clearly stated criteria for work performance, and the supervisor should evaluate in a consistent manner. Personal opinions should never reflect a professional's work ethics.

Question 14

Larry has knowledge that a fellow colleague is teaching aboutparenting skills during his sessions with clients. This is not a field of expertise,and the colleague's teachings are based on personal parenting experiences. Larry has tried to discuss this issue with the fellow social worker but has not been successful. What ethical standard is the colleague violating?

Accepted Answer

When a social worker is not acting in his or her area of expertise, they are demonstrating incompetency. If a professional believes that a colleague is incompetent and has not taken steps to address the issue, action should be taken by established organizations.

Question 15

A social worker was observed accepting money from an attorney for a copy of a client's record. The colleague who witnessed the event discussed the matter with the professional, and efforts are being made to resolve the problem. The actions that took place in regards to the client's records fall under what category?

Accepted Answer

All professional social workers need to take appropriate measures to expose, prevent, discourage or correct unethical conduct by fellow colleagues. Professionals in this area should be knowledgeable about procedures and policies as set forth by the NASW.

Question 16

Social workers who provide education and training to others should abide by fourrules. Which of the following is one of these rules?

Accepted Answer

Social workers acting as educators, trainers and field instructors should provide instruction relevant to current information. They should only teach from their field of expertise and competency in the subject matter. The other three rules are: 1) The professional needs to evaluate a student's performance fairly and respectfully, 2)Clients need to be notified if services are being provided by a student, and 3)Dual relationships between an educator and student are prohibited.

Question 17

Client records hold valuable information pertaining to the services and needs of an individual or family. Documentation should reflect the services being provided in an accurate manner. What is another important consideration?

Accepted Answer

Timely documentation facilitates the referral of services and ensures a continuous pattern for a client's future. Privacy is an important aspect of documentation, and the record should only contain information directly relevant to the services being provided. Client records should be stored appropriately for future access.

Question 18

Mr. Harrison receives a phone call from an individual wanting to transfer social work services to him from another professional. To minimize confusion, Mr. Harrison should do what?

Accepted Answer

A social worker should clearly consider the client's needs prior to accepting them for services. The nature of the existing relationship should be discussed pertaining to benefits or risks. Consultation with the previous professional should only be done if in the client's best interest and signed consent.

Question 19

There is threat of a labor strike within the agency James is currently providing social work services through. He knows this action will improve services to clients and working conditions. What should James take into consideration before participating?

Accepted Answer

Social workers can legally take part in organized action in the form of labor management disputes, job actions or labor strikes. A professional's ethical principles, standards and values are necessary to guide the issue. Before taking part in the strike, James needs to examine the impact it will have on his clients.

Question 20

Social workers often find themselves in dual relationships. The management of transference and counter transference cannot be ignored. Within the realm of child welfare, supervisors play a vital role in what areas?

Accepted Answer

The NASW Code of Ethics defines dual relationships as occurring when clients and social workers relate in more than one manner. Immediate supervisors have the job of modeling, coaching and engaging within professional discussions. They should assure proper boundaries are being achieved within the practice according to the outline of professional standards.

Quiz 4: Professionalism: Ethical Issues in Social Work