ASWB ASWB Certifications LCSW Questions & Answers

• Question 221:

  Alysha meets with a clinical social worker and discusses self-perceived problems. She reports complex mood swings that last for weeks and sometimes months. AIysha's main concern is that her manic behaviors may one day become life threatening. When the client is in a more sullen mood, she feels sad but somewhat safer. When completing a full assessment, what might the social worker diagnose Alysha as having?

  A. Dissociative identity disorder

  B. Major depressive disorder

  C. Bi-polar disorder

  D. Post-traumatic stress disorder

  Correct Answer: C

  IndMduals with bi-polar disorder suffer from both euphoric periods that can lead to risk-taking behaviors and sudden bouts of depression with symptoms of sadness, crying, and a sense of worthlessness.

• Question 222:

  People with Munchausen are aware they are exaggerating medical issues. What is the difference between that disorder and hypochondriasis?

  A. Hypochondriacs believe they actually have a medical problem.

  B. Munchausen sufferers actually get treatment.

  C. Hypochondriacs do have a medical problem.

  D. There is no difference.

  Correct Answer: A

  Hypochondriacs have an excessive preoccupation with contracting a serious illness. They tend to be alarmed about any medical symptom they suspect, even minor ones. This disorder persists although a doctor may statethere is no medical illness.

• Question 223:

  A mother of three small children has sought help with parenting skills. The clinical social worker will gather family history, using this to help set goals for the client. It is important not to set these too high or beyond reach. The mother is educated on a positive view of human nature with the focus on controlling one's own fate instead of becoming a victim to it. This intervention is part of what kind of therapy?

  A. Life skills training

  B. Cognitive-behavioral therapy

  C. Interactive peer modeling

  D. Empowerment

  Correct Answer: D

  Empowerment is a core element of social work interventions It putsthe locus of control in the client's realm and it is the motivation utilized by clinical social workers to set goals, deal with tasks, and maintain social interest.

• Question 224:

  Dependent personality disorder is often defined as the need to be taken care of by others. IndMduals with this problem have low levels of confidence in their own intelligence and abilities. How is dependent personality disorder different from avoidant personality disorder?

  A. Dependent personalities are oversensitive to criticism.

  B. Avoidant personalities fear rejection and will withdrawal.

  C. Dependent personalities are passive and nonassertive.

  D. Avoidant personalities are easily influenced and taken advantage of.

  Correct Answer: B

  Both disorders are characterized by a frequent need for assurance, feelings of inadequacy and oversensitMty. IndMduals with avoidant personality disorder have such a fear of rejection that they will withdrawal until acceptance is certain. Dependent personalities will seek out contact with others until they get approval.

• Question 225:

  A local hospital refers a regular patient to the facility's clinical social worker. Madeline is considered a "frequent fIyer" by the nurses due to her high number of visits for a wide variety of physical complaints. The patient exaggerates or creates symptoms of illness in an effort to seek treatment, attention, and sympathy. What disorder will the social worker want to focus on for intervention?

  A. Factitious disorder

  B. Psychological trauma

  C. Munchausen syndrome

  D. Hypochondriasis

  Correct Answer: A

  Most indMduals who suffer from fictitious disorders are quite knowledgeable about the practice of medicine. They are able to produce symptoms resulting in lengthy medical analysis. Risk factors include childhood trauma and inattentive parents.

• Question 226:

  The Jacobs family has decided to incorporate the services of a clinical social worker due to intense conflict between parents and children. During the first session, the Jacobs take turns discussing their issues while the social worker listens intently. There is no focus on what is wrong, but rather on the complex interplay of risks and strengths. This type of assessment is known as what?

  A. Strength-based assessment

  B. Family-centered assessment

  C. Conflict resolution assessment

  D. All of the above

  Correct Answer: A

  In strength-based assessment, formal and informal supports are examined to create a service plan based on the famiIy's specific needs and strengths. A clinical social worker will look at the family as a unit and the environmental factors surrounding them. The focus is on the famiIy's assets (meaning all resources, not just material goods), attributes, and attitudes on which they can build solutions to their problems.

• Question 227:

  Crisis is a normal part of life, and indMduals try to maintain equilibrium by using coping mechanisms. Sometimes the usual techniques do not work when a problem is threatening. People in crisis may experience guilt, feelings of anxiety, helplessness, and fear. Which of the following criteria are used to determine whether a situation constitutes a crisis?

  A. An indMduaI's view and response to an event

  B. How others view and respond to an event

  C. Instincts on what is threatening

  D. Conditioning as to what defines a crisis

  Correct Answer: A

  When an indMdual sees an event as threatening with no wayto cope, he or she may find themselves in crisis. This is a state of psychological disequilibrium with a number of indicators. Changes will be observed in energy levels, ability to concentrate, sleeping patterns, and social interaction with friends or relatives.

• Question 228:

  A short-term, problem-soMng approach to clinical social work practice consists of three phases. The initial phase is centered on setting up initial tasks. The middle phase consists of evaluating the outcomes of tasks and identifying obstacles to achieve said outcomes. Lastly is the termination phase, which emphasizes what the client has learned or accomplished. Which ofthe following problem-soMng approaches is described above?

  A. Psychoanalytic approach

  B. Cognitive behavioral approach

  C. Solution-focused therapy

  D. Self-centered approach

  Correct Answer: C

  Solution-focused therapy addresses problems that arise in peopIe's interactions with their environments. Efforts are made to help indMduals generalize problem-soMng techniques for use in the future. Solution-focused therapy is short-term and highly focused.

• Question 229:

  Parents may come to a social worker for help in controlling and disciplining their chiId(ren). An approach IISWB [GSW Erram that asserts that the issue rests solely with the child comes from a medical model which emphasizes fixing what is broken by addressing the symptoms. Social workers come from a more holistic approach called

  A. Family Counseling

  B. Interactive Assessment

  C. Person-in-Environment

  D. Behavior Therapy

  Correct Answer: C

  Person-in-environment looks at all the factors that affect behavior including the environmental circumstances. In the case of a misbehaving child, understanding the environment in which they are misbehaving, including how the parent actually disciplines is a far better approach than viewing the child as "broken" because he or she misbehaves.

• Question 230:

  Lisa is a 14-year-old adolescent who skips school on a regular basis. She normally misses at least two days per week and reports just staying home in bed. The teen complains of being tired all the time and cannot function at school most days. A clinical social worker will identify a target behavior conducting a thorough assessment and formulating a treatment plan. What type of problem soMng should be initiated by the social worker?

  A. Authoritative

  B. Self-centered

  C. Collaborative D. Independent

  Correct Answer: C

  The clinical social worker should initiate collaborative problem soMng. The social worker and the client together will determine what the ultimate outcome should be with therapy, and the client will work towards that goal. If Lisa is included in the process of formulating her own treatment plan, she may be better engaged in treatment.