MSW 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 while impaired due to substance use. According to the NASW Code of Ethics, what is the social worker's primary obligation?
- Ignore the situation to avoid conflict
- Report the concern through appropriate channels to protect clients (Correct answer)
- Confront the colleague publicly at a staff meeting
- Discuss the matter with other colleagues informally
Correct answer: Report the concern through appropriate channels to protect clients
The NASW Code of Ethics requires social workers to take action when a colleague's impairment interferes with practice effectiveness, primarily to protect clients from harm.
Question 2: Which ethical principle is demonstrated when a social worker helps a client understand all available treatment options and supports the client's right to choose?
- Beneficence
- Self-determination (Correct answer)
- Nonmaleficence
- Justice
Correct answer: Self-determination
Self-determination is the ethical principle that recognizes clients' rights to make their own decisions and choices about their care and treatment.
Question 3: A social worker in private practice receives a subpoena for a client's records. What should the social worker do first?
- Immediately release all records to comply with the subpoena
- Destroy sensitive portions of the record
- Consult with an attorney and notify the client before releasing any information (Correct answer)
- Refuse to acknowledge the client relationship
Correct answer: Consult with an attorney and notify the client before releasing any information
Social workers should consult legal counsel and inform the client before responding to a subpoena, as a subpoena alone does not override confidentiality obligations without a court order.
Question 4: In which situation would a social worker be ethically justified in breaching client confidentiality without the client's consent?
- When a family member requests information about the client's diagnosis
- When the client reveals plans to seriously harm an identifiable third party (Correct answer)
- When an insurance company requests detailed session notes
- When a colleague asks about the client's progress out of curiosity
Correct answer: When the client reveals plans to seriously harm an identifiable third party
The duty to warn or protect applies when a client poses a serious, imminent threat to an identifiable third party, which is a recognized exception to confidentiality.
Question 5: A social worker feels a strong personal attraction to a current client. What is the most ethical course of action?
- Continue treatment but avoid discussing personal feelings
- Pursue the relationship after terminating services
- Seek consultation or supervision and consider transferring the client (Correct answer)
- Ask the client if they share the same feelings
Correct answer: Seek consultation or supervision and consider transferring the client
The NASW Code of Ethics prohibits dual relationships that could exploit clients, and seeking supervision while considering a referral protects the client's well-being.
Question 6: Which core social work value is most directly reflected in advocating for policy changes that address systemic poverty?
- Integrity
- Dignity and worth of the person
- Social justice (Correct answer)
- Competence
Correct answer: Social justice
Social justice is the core value that compels social workers to pursue social change, particularly on behalf of vulnerable and oppressed populations affected by systemic inequities.
MSW MSW Master of Social Work Professional Values and Ethics Questions and Answers 2
A social worker discovers that a colleague is practicing while impaired due to substance use.
According to the NASW Code of Ethics, what is the social worker's primary obligation?