LMSW LMSW Professional Values and Ethics Questions and Answers 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 privately and give them a chance to self-report (Correct answer)
- Ignore it to avoid damaging the professional relationship
- Report the fraudulent billing to the appropriate supervisor or licensing board
- Document the behavior but take no action until more evidence is gathered
Correct answer: Confront the colleague privately and give them a chance to self-report
The NASW Code of Ethics requires social workers to address ethical violations by colleagues, starting with direct consultation when feasible before escalating to formal reporting.
Question 2: Which of the following BEST describes the ethical principle of 'social justice' in social work practice?
- Ensuring each client receives equal amounts of service time
- Advocating for equitable distribution of resources and challenging oppressive systems (Correct answer)
- Maintaining neutrality on all political and social issues
- Focusing exclusively on individual client needs without considering societal factors
Correct answer: Advocating for equitable distribution of resources and challenging oppressive systems
Social justice in social work involves challenging structural inequalities and advocating for fair access to resources, rights, and opportunities for all people.
Question 3: A client shares information during a session that suggests they may have committed tax fraud years ago. How should the social worker respond?
- Immediately report the client to the IRS
- Terminate services to avoid legal liability
- Maintain confidentiality, as past tax fraud is not a mandated reporting situation (Correct answer)
- Confront the client and demand they turn themselves in
Correct answer: Maintain confidentiality, as past tax fraud is not a mandated reporting situation
Past financial crimes by a client do not fall under mandated reporting requirements, so the social worker must maintain confidentiality per ethical and legal standards.
Question 4: An LMSW is asked by their agency to provide services outside their area of competence due to staff shortages. What is the ethical response?
- Accept the assignment and learn as you go to help the agency
- Refuse all work until fully trained in every possible area
- Accept only if adequate supervision and training will be provided (Correct answer)
- Report the agency to NASW immediately
Correct answer: Accept only if adequate supervision and training will be provided
The NASW Code of Ethics requires social workers to practice only within their areas of competence, but allows expanding competence with appropriate supervision and training.
Question 5: A client undergoing divorce proceedings asks their social worker to testify on their behalf in court. The social worker has concerns that testimony could harm the client's interests. What should the social worker do?
- Refuse outright to protect confidentiality
- Discuss the potential consequences with the client before agreeing to testify (Correct answer)
- Testify only about positive aspects of the client's situation
- Immediately consult a lawyer without informing the client
Correct answer: Discuss the potential consequences with the client before agreeing to testify
Informed consent requires the social worker to discuss the implications of testimony with the client so the client can make an informed decision about requesting it.
Question 6: Which ethical standard addresses a social worker's responsibility to avoid letting personal values interfere with professional practice?
- Self-determination
- Cultural competence
- Professional integrity (Correct answer)
- Primacy of clients' interests
Correct answer: Professional integrity
Professional integrity requires social workers to behave honestly and responsibly and not allow personal biases or values to negatively affect their professional conduct.
