LMSW Social Work Ethics and Values Questions and Answers Flashcards
6 cards from real LMSW practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 LMSW Social Work Ethics and Values Questions and Answers flashcards as text
A mandated reporter social worker learns of suspected child abuse from a third party, not directly from the client. The social worker's obligation is to:
Answer: Report the suspicion to child protective services as required by law
Mandated reporter laws require social workers to report reasonable suspicions of child abuse regardless of the source of information, superseding confidentiality in this situation.
Which NASW ethical standard addresses a social worker's responsibility to participate in activities that promote social and political action for vulnerable populations?
Answer: Social justice
The NASW Code of Ethics' social justice standard calls on social workers to pursue social change and advocate for oppressed and vulnerable populations at the societal level.
A social worker in private practice wants to use a client's case (de-identified) in a training presentation. Ethically, the social worker must:
Answer: Obtain written informed consent from the client before using the case material
Even when de-identified, using client case material for educational purposes requires informed consent to respect client privacy and autonomy.
A social worker's personal values conflict with a client's legal lifestyle choices. The most ethical course of action is to:
Answer: Set aside personal values and continue providing non-judgmental, competent services
Social workers are ethically bound to practice without discrimination or imposition of personal values, maintaining professional objectivity when clients make legal choices the worker personally disagrees with.
When a client cannot pay for services and the agency has a no-sliding-scale policy, what ethical obligation does the social worker have?
Answer: Help the client access alternative resources and facilitate a proper referral
Social workers must ensure continuity of care and refer clients to appropriate resources rather than abruptly terminating services, reflecting the value of access to services and client well-being.
A client who has been stable for two years wants to terminate therapy. The social worker believes the client still needs treatment. Ethically, the social worker should:
Answer: Respect the client's right to self-determination and collaboratively plan the termination
Client self-determination is a core NASW value; social workers must respect a client's right to end services while ensuring a planned, collaborative termination process.