MSW Master of Social Work Professional Values and Ethics Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A social worker is counseling a client who discloses a credible and specific threat to harm their former spouse, who is an identifiable third party. The client has a history of domestic violence and access to a firearm. What is the social worker's primary ethical and legal obligation?
- Maintain strict client confidentiality to preserve the therapeutic alliance.
- Immediately call the client's former spouse to warn them of the threat.
- Take reasonable steps to notify law enforcement and warn the potential victim. (Correct answer)
- Develop a safety plan with the client to manage their anger and violent impulses.
Correct answer: Take reasonable steps to notify law enforcement and warn the potential victim.
This scenario invokes the 'duty to protect' principle, a legal and ethical obligation that may override client confidentiality. When a client poses a serious, foreseeable, and imminent risk of harm to an identifiable person, the social worker must take steps to protect the potential victim. This typically involves notifying law enforcement and making a reasonable effort to warn the intended victim. While developing a safety plan is a crucial clinical intervention, it does not supersede the immediate duty to protect others from harm.
Question 2: According to the NASW Code of Ethics, which core value is described as treating each person in a caring and respectful fashion, mindful of individual differences and cultural and ethnic diversity?
- Social Justice
- Integrity
- Competence
- Dignity and Worth of the Person (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Dignity and Worth of the Person
The NASW Code of Ethics is founded on six core values. The value of 'Dignity and Worth of the Person' specifically calls on social workers to respect the inherent value of every individual, treat people with care and respect, and be mindful of diversity. 'Social Justice' involves challenging inequality, 'Integrity' relates to behaving in a trustworthy manner, and 'Competence' refers to practicing within one's area of expertise.
Question 3: A social worker in a small, rural community is invited to the wedding of a former client. The therapeutic relationship, which focused on grief counseling, was terminated appropriately two years ago. Which of the following is the MOST ethical consideration for the social worker?
- Attend the wedding, as the therapeutic relationship has been terminated for a significant period.
- Politely decline the invitation to avoid potential boundary confusion and the appearance of a dual relationship. (Correct answer)
- Attend the wedding but leave early and avoid interacting with the former client's family to minimize contact.
- Ask the former client if they would feel uncomfortable if the social worker attended before making a decision.
Correct answer: Politely decline the invitation to avoid potential boundary confusion and the appearance of a dual relationship.
The NASW Code of Ethics cautions social workers against engaging in dual or multiple relationships with clients or former clients where there is a risk of exploitation or potential harm. Attending a significant personal event like a wedding creates a social relationship that blurs professional boundaries, even after termination. The most prudent and ethical action is to politely decline to maintain a clear professional boundary and avoid any potential for future complications or misunderstandings.
Question 4: Which of the following is an ESSENTIAL component of the informed consent process in a direct practice setting?
- Guaranteeing the client that their desired outcomes will be achieved through therapy.
- Discussing the limits of confidentiality, such as the duty to report child abuse. (Correct answer)
- Providing the social worker's personal cell phone number for after-hours emergencies.
- Requiring the client to commit to a minimum number of sessions before starting treatment.
Correct answer: Discussing the limits of confidentiality, such as the duty to report child abuse.
Informed consent is a process of sharing information with clients so they can make an informed decision about treatment. An essential part of this process is explaining the limits of confidentiality, including any legal obligations the social worker has to report information, such as suspected child abuse or threats of harm to self or others. Guaranteeing outcomes is unethical, providing personal contact information is a boundary issue, and requiring a minimum number of sessions can conflict with the client's right to self-determination.
Question 5: A social worker in private practice learns that a new client referred for individual therapy is the sibling of their best friend. The social worker has met the client socially on a few occasions but does not know them well. What is the social worker's MOST ethical course of action?
- Proceed with therapy but seek regular supervision to manage the dual relationship.
- Inform the client of the conflict of interest and refer them to another qualified provider. (Correct answer)
- Ask the best friend not to discuss the client in order to maintain confidentiality.
- Accept the client for therapy but make a note in the file about the pre-existing relationship.
Correct answer: Inform the client of the conflict of interest and refer them to another qualified provider.
This situation presents a clear conflict of interest and a dual relationship that could compromise the social worker's objectivity and the client's confidentiality. According to the NASW Code of Ethics, social workers should be alert to and avoid conflicts of interest. The most ethical action is to avoid the conflict from the start by explaining the situation to the potential client and referring them to another professional whose impartiality is not compromised.
Question 6: A social worker is working with an adult client who, despite the social worker's advice and provision of resources for a safer housing option, decides to remain in an unstable living situation. The client is deemed to have the capacity to make their own decisions. The social worker's responsibility to respect the client's choice is based on which ethical principle?
- Beneficence
- Social Justice
- Self-Determination (Correct answer)
- Integrity
Correct answer: Self-Determination
The principle of self-determination is a core social work value that respects and promotes the right of clients to make their own choices and decisions. While the social worker may be concerned (beneficence), their primary ethical duty in this case—where the client has decision-making capacity—is to honor the client's autonomy, even if the social worker disagrees with the choice. The social worker's role is to assist the client in identifying and clarifying their goals, not to make decisions for them.
MSW Master of Social Work Professional Values and Ethics Questions and Answers
A social worker is counseling a client who discloses a credible and specific threat to harm their former spouse, who is an identifiable third party.
The client has a history of domestic violence and access to a firearm.
What is the social worker's primary ethical and legal obligation?