MSW FREE MSW Master of Social Work Professional Values and Ethics Questions and Answers 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A social worker discovers that a colleague is practicing outside their area of competence. According to the NASW Code of Ethics, what is the most appropriate first step?
- Report the colleague to the licensing board immediately
- Discuss the concern directly with the colleague (Correct answer)
- Ignore the situation to avoid workplace conflict
- Post about the issue on professional forums
Correct answer: Discuss the concern directly with the colleague
The NASW Code of Ethics encourages addressing concerns with colleagues directly before pursuing formal action.
Question 2: Which ethical principle is MOST directly violated when a social worker accepts a gift of significant monetary value from a current client?
- Social justice
- Dual relationships and boundaries (Correct answer)
- Client self-determination
- Competence
Correct answer: Dual relationships and boundaries
Accepting significant gifts from clients creates a boundary violation that can compromise the professional relationship.
Question 3: A social worker in a rural community is asked to provide therapy to a neighbor's child. What ethical concept is the primary concern?
- Informed consent
- Confidentiality
- Dual relationships (Correct answer)
- Cultural competence
Correct answer: Dual relationships
In rural settings, dual relationships are a heightened concern because the social worker already has a personal connection with the family.
Question 4: When a client reveals plans to harm a specific identifiable person, the social worker's duty to warn is based on which landmark legal case?
- Roe v. Wade
- Tarasoff v. Regents of the University of California (Correct answer)
- Brown v. Board of Education
- Jaffee v. Redmond
Correct answer: Tarasoff v. Regents of the University of California
Tarasoff v. Regents established that mental health professionals have a duty to protect identifiable potential victims of their clients.
Question 5: A social worker is conducting research with vulnerable populations. Which ethical standard requires that participants can withdraw at any time without penalty?
- Beneficence
- Voluntary informed consent (Correct answer)
- Privacy protection
- Data confidentiality
Correct answer: Voluntary informed consent
Voluntary informed consent requires that research participants understand they may withdraw participation at any point without negative consequences.
Question 6: Which core social work value is BEST demonstrated when a social worker advocates for policy changes to address systemic poverty?
- Service
- Dignity and worth of the person
- Social justice (Correct answer)
- Integrity
Correct answer: Social justice
Social justice involves challenging social injustice and pursuing change on behalf of vulnerable and oppressed populations at the systemic level.
MSW FREE MSW Master of Social Work Professional Values and Ethics Questions and Answers 2
A social worker discovers that a colleague is practicing outside their area of competence.
According to the NASW Code of Ethics, what is the most appropriate first step?