LMSW Professional Values and Ethics 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A social worker discovers that a colleague is billing Medicaid for sessions that never occurred. What is the MOST appropriate first step?
- Confront the colleague directly and demand they stop
- Report the behavior to a supervisor or appropriate authority (Correct answer)
- Document the behavior and wait to see if it continues
- Ignore it to avoid damaging the working relationship
Correct answer: Report the behavior to a supervisor or appropriate authority
The NASW Code of Ethics requires social workers to take action when a colleague engages in unethical conduct, including reporting to supervisors or licensing boards.
Question 2: Which principle underlies the social work concept of 'self-determination'?
- Clients must make choices that social workers approve of
- Clients have the right to make their own decisions about their lives (Correct answer)
- Social workers guide clients toward the most beneficial outcomes
- Self-determination applies only to competent adult clients
Correct answer: Clients have the right to make their own decisions about their lives
Self-determination respects the client's right to make their own choices, even when those choices differ from what the social worker would recommend.
Question 3: A client shares information in session that suggests they are being abused by a family member. The client begs the social worker not to report it. What should the social worker do?
- Honor the client's request to maintain therapeutic trust
- Report the abuse as required by mandatory reporting laws (Correct answer)
- Consult with a supervisor and delay reporting for one week
- Encourage the client to self-report within 30 days
Correct answer: Report the abuse as required by mandatory reporting laws
Mandatory reporting laws supersede client confidentiality when abuse is suspected, and social workers are legally required to report.
Question 4: The NASW Code of Ethics places social workers' primary ethical obligation to:
- Their employing agency
- The profession of social work
- Clients (Correct answer)
- Society at large
Correct answer: Clients
According to the NASW Code of Ethics, social workers' primary responsibility is to promote the well-being of clients.
Question 5: A social worker in private practice wants to enter into a business relationship with a former client of two years. What is the BEST course of action?
- Proceed if the therapeutic relationship has been formally terminated
- Avoid the relationship due to potential exploitation of the former client (Correct answer)
- Consult with a colleague and proceed if they approve
- Wait the required 1-year post-termination period before proceeding
Correct answer: Avoid the relationship due to potential exploitation of the former client
Social workers should avoid business relationships with former clients because the power differential from the therapeutic relationship may persist and create exploitation risk.
Question 6: Which term describes a social worker's obligation to keep client information private unless the client consents to disclosure or a legal exception applies?
- Privileged communication
- Confidentiality (Correct answer)
- Informed consent
- Fiduciary duty
Correct answer: Confidentiality
Confidentiality is the ethical duty of social workers to protect private client information from unauthorized disclosure.
Question 7: A social worker realizes mid-treatment that a client's presenting problem exceeds their competence level. The MOST ethical response is to:
- Continue treatment while researching the issue independently
- Terminate the client immediately to avoid harm
- Refer the client to a more qualified professional and assist with transition (Correct answer)
- Consult with a colleague but continue providing services
Correct answer: Refer the client to a more qualified professional and assist with transition
When a client's needs exceed a social worker's competence, ethical practice requires referring to an appropriate provider while ensuring continuity of care.
LMSW Professional Values and Ethics 2
A social worker discovers that a colleague is billing Medicaid for sessions that never occurred.
What is the MOST appropriate first step?