ASWB ASWB Certifications LCSW Questions & Answers

• Question 181:

  KeIIy's doctor has concerns about the fluctuation of her weight. She has struggled with diets her whole life but is still 120 pounds overthe average weight for her size. The doctor is concerned about symptoms that may indicate an eating disorder. During an examination the physician asked Kelly about her eating habits. The patient appeared to experience shame and distress when attempting to explain. She will eat between meals and often times will consume more than she needs. What disorder is being described by Kelly?

  A. Bulimia

  B. Depression

  C. Binge eating

  D. Anxiety

  Correct Answer: C

  Binge eating is characterized by episodes of over eating that feel as if they are beyond an indMduaI's control. There is no fasting or purging afterwards, and this leads to obesity. People with this problem often have coexisting psychological problems such as personality disorders.

• Question 182:

  Cerebral palsy affects an indMduaI's ability to maintain balance, achieve posture and move about smoothly. Symptoms can change over a person's lifetime and other disabilities may result, such as poor vision and reading. What is the one factor of cerebral palsy thatdifferentiates it from other disabilities?

  A. There is a cure for the disorder.

  B. IndMduals live a shorter lifespan.

  C. It does not progress or worsen.

  D. It requires corrective surgery.

  Correct Answer: C

  Cerebral palsy is a brain abnormality that does not progress over time. Symptoms may change, but the disability stays the same. People who sufferfrom this problem have damage to the part of the brain that controls muscle tone. Often diverse muscles will be affected at different times.

• Question 183:

  Melanie's husband has reported problems he is observing in the home with his wife. The couple has three school-aged children. When the siblings get home from school, MeIanie is usually sleeping on the couch. She fails to help with homework due to bad headaches and forgets important school events. Dinner is rarely cooked because MeIanie reports feeling pain in her joints. She dozes off at odd times during the day and even during important events. What disorder might a therapist diagnose for Melanie?

  A. Dementia

  B. Anti-social disorder

  C. Amnesia

  D. Chronic fatigue syndrome

  Correct Answer: D

  IndMduals who suffer from chronic fatigue syndrome do not see much improvement with rest. Excessive fatigue worsens with mental and physical actMty. When completing an assessment, symptoms are often difficult to measure. The important signs to look for include headaches, joint or muscle pain, loss of memory, and extreme exhaustion.

• Question 184:

  Jason is a ten year old who has been demonstrating hostile and uncooperative behaviors on a regular basis. He will argue, talk back, and disobey anyone seen as an authority figure. Jason's school has met with his parents several times over temper tantrums observed in the educational environment. His parents complain about the constant arguing and his ability to annoy other people. What problem is Jason demonstrating?

  A. Attention deficit disorder

  B. Autism disorder

  C. Oppositional defiant disorder

  D. Bipolar disorder

  Correct Answer: C

  Jason is displaying oppositional defiant disorder. His behaviors have become a serious issue seen at home and school. These actions affect social, family, and academic life when compared to other children at the same developmental level. Other symptoms include resentment, questioning of rules, and a spiteful attitude.

• Question 185:

  Obsessive compulsive disorder is actually an anxiety problem in which indMduals have repeated and unwanted thoughts or behaviors. Behaviors will be carried out to get rid of the obsessive ideas. Not completing the action can cause great apprehension. Which of the following is not a true fact about OCD?

  A. 20% of people with OCD have tics.

  B. Most symptoms appear before age 30.

  C. OCD is due to a medical illness or drug use.

  D. Antidepressants are prescribed as a treatment.

  Correct Answer: C

  Obsessions or compulsions are not due to any medical problem or drug use. Most people recognize the problem as being excessive and can self-report problems. Doctors believe OCD may be a condition related to Tourette syndrome, since 20% of indMduals with OCD demonstrate tics. There are several theories pertaining to the cause, but none have been validated.

• Question 186:

  One particular personality disorder is more prevalent in females than males and involves 3% of the general population. Symptoms include a pattern of attention seeking behavior that may even become provocative in nature. Victims of this disorder may display rapidly shifting expressions of emotions, show self-dramatization and use physical appearance to draw attention to them. What disorder is described above?

  A. Histrionic personality disorder

  B. Narcissistic personality disorder

  C. Schizoid personality disorder

  D. Dependent personality disorder

  Correct Answer: A

  People with histrionic personality disorder have difficulty achieving and maintaining intimacy in romantic relationships. Victims will often act out a role and seek to control their partner. Same-sex friend relationships are also hindered due to the provocative interpersonal style that may seem threatening. Patients often crave stimulation, excitement and novelty.

• Question 187:

  A serious disorder requiring therapy is characterized by systemized delusions and the frequent projection

  of personal conflicts. The outcome may be hostility towards others where aggressive acts are believed to

  take place in self-defense. Symptoms of delusion appear slowly, and a patient may be suspicious, jealous,

  irritable, and bitter.

  What type of personality disorder is described above?

  A. Dependent

  B. Paranoia

  C. Self-centered

  D. Cognitive

  Correct Answer: B

  Mental health professionals diagnose indMduals with paranoid personality disorder if they display preoccupied doubts about friends, suspicions that others are plotting against them, reads negatMty into positive remarks and is reluctant to confide in peers. People with paranoid personality disorder do not acknowledge their own faults, and delusions become permanently organized.

• Question 188:

  A five-year-old child has been recentlydiagnosed with ADHD after demonstrating shortfalls in at least two important areas. Deficits can be observed at home, in the classroom, and in group actMties. Which of the following would not be a symptom of ADHD?

  A. Difficulty focusing

  B. Memory loss

  C. Boredom

  D. Defiance

  Correct Answer: D

  Children identified as suffering from ADHD do not intentionally display defiant behaviors. They become more of a distraction to others and fail to complete tasks due to an inability to focus.

• Question 189:

  Nathan is 21 years old and has confided in her clinical social worker about serious behaviors that concern him. He self-reports having hallucinations, paranoia, and disorganized speech. To avoid many of these problems, Nathan has learned to isolate himself from social situations. Additionally, the biopsychosocial history shows a prevalence of mental illness in the family. Since the disorder is mainly affecting cognition, what should the social worker attempt totreat?

  A. Schizophrenia

  B. Dissociative disorder

  C. Bipolar

  D. Alter-ego

  Correct Answer: A

  Schizophrenia has a typical onset in early adulthood, with cases rarely developing beyond the age of 45. According to the National Institute of Mental Health schizophrenia is a chronic, severe, and disabling brain disorder diagnosed in about 1 percent of the population. People with the disorder may hear voices other people don't hear. They may believe other people are reading their minds, controlling theirthoughts, or plotting to harm them. This can terrify people with the illness and make them withdrawn or extremely agitated. People with schizophrenia may not make sense when they talk. They may sit for hours without moving or talking. Sometimes people with schizophrenia seem perfectly fine until they talk about what they are really thinking.

• Question 190:

  A clinical social worker is helping Whitney cope with anxiety. The client seems reluctant and reserved, admits she is paranoid about people, and prefers to stay home. She came to get help at the insistence of her husband, whom she said told her that he was tired of her not doing anything around the house and insisted she get help. On further investigation the social worker learns that the real reason Whitney never goes anywhere is because she says her husband has not given her permission to do so until the house is spotless. The social worker should suspect what issue might be the problem in Whitney's life?

  A. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

  B. Poor Self-esteem

  C. Domestic Violence

  D. Paranoid Personality Disorder

  Correct Answer: C

  Domestic violence is characterized by one indMdual maintaining excessive and unreasonable control over an intimate partner through threats, coercion, intimidation, and excessive and misplaced use of authority. While the common belief is that the relationship must exhibit physical violence, this is not the case. Physical, emotional, or sexual abuse against a partner are all considered, singularly or in combination, in the definition of domestic violence.