Deck 11: Values Ethics and the Resolution of Ethical Dilemmas

Question 1

The core value of the NASW Code of Ethics that means trustworthiness and sound adherence to moral ideals is:

A)Importance of human relationships
B)Integrity
C)Social justice
D)Dignity and worth of the person

Answer 1

B

Question 2

The following is (are) true about consultation in terms of social workers' ethical responsibilities to colleagues:

A)Social workers should remain well informed about colleagues' areas of expertise in order to seek appropriate consultation
B)In order to protect client confidentiality social workers should disclose only that information about cases that is absolutely necessary
C)Social workers should avoid bothering colleagues by consulting with them
D)a and b only

Answer 2

D

Question 3

Holding in high esteem and appreciating individual value is the core value of the NASW Code of Ethics entitled:

A)Social justice
B)Dignity and worth of the person
C)Competence
D)Importance of human relationships

Answer 3

B

Question 4

According to the NASW Code of Ethics , social workers' ethical responsibilities as professionals include the following topic areas:

A)Sexual relationships
B)Billing
C)Dishonesty, fraud, and deception
D)All of the above

Question 5

The Canadian Association of Social Workers' Code of Ethics includes which of the following values?

A)Pursuit of social justice
B)Service to humanity
C)Solving ethical dilemmas
D)a and b only

Question 6

______ is defined by the NASW Code of Ethics as the understanding of the concept of culture, appreciating the strengths inherent in all diverse cultures, acquiring a continuously growing knowledge base about clients' cultures that can be applied to practice, being sensitive to and appreciative of cultural differences, and seeking to understand the nature of oppression and social diversity as they apply to various groups.

A)Social diversity
B)Ethnicity
C)Cultural competence
D)Social justice

Question 7

The NASW Code of Ethics includes the following topic area(s) regarding ethical responsibilities to colleagues:

A)Impairment of colleagues
B)Incompetence of colleagues
C)Unethical conduct of colleagues
D)All of the above

Question 8

According to the NASW Code of Ethics , the following is (are) true about social workers' ethical responsibilities to colleagues:

A)Social workers should respect and work cooperatively with colleagues
B)Social workers should hold confidential information conveyed by colleagues about practice situations
C)Social workers should refer clients to other professionals when the others have knowledge and skills necessary for making effective progress with clients
D)All of the above

Question 9

Having the necessary skills and abilities to perform work with clients effectively is the core value of the NASW Code of Ethics entitled:

A)Social justice
B)Dignity and worth of the person
C)Competence
D)Importance of human relationships

Question 10

Confidentiality involves which of the following?

A)Workers should not solicit unnecessary information
B)Workers should inform clients about the limitations of confidentiality with respect to agency policy
C)Workers should expend substantial effort safekeeping confidential information
D)All of the above

Question 11

The NASW Code of Ethics ethical standards include all of the following major categories except :

A)Social workers' ethical responsibility to clients
B)Social workers' ethical responsibilities to law enforcement
C)Social workers' ethical responsibilities to the broader society
D)Social workers' ethical responsibilities to colleagues

Question 12

The first principle in Loewenberg, Harringotn, and Dolgoff's "Ethical Principles Screen" is:

A)People have the right to have free choice and freedom
B)People have the right to exist with their basic needs met
C)People have the right to experience injury that is minimal or nonexistent
D)People have the right to treatment that is fair and equal

Question 13

The NASW ethical responsibility to clients that recognizes each individual's right to make his or her own decisions is:

A)Self-determination
B)Informed consent
C)Commitment to clients
D)Competence

Question 14

The NASW Code of Ethics section on social workers' ethical responsibilities to the social work profession includes the following section(s):

A)Integrity of the profession
B)Evaluation and research
C)Administration
D)a and b only

Question 15

The first step in conceptualizing an ethical dilemma is:

A)Investigate the variables involved
B)Recognize the problem
C)Get feedback from others
D)Appraise what values apply to the dilemma

Question 16

Social workers' ethical responsibilities in practice settings include the fact that social workers should record information as accurately and adequately as possible in a timely manner. This is stated under the content heading of:

A)Supervision and consultation
B)Education and training
C)Performance evaluation
D)Client records

Question 17

The NASW Code of Ethics includes all of the following concepts regarding ethical responsibilities to clients except :

A)Derogatory language
B)Payment for services
C)Social welfare
D)Physical contact

Question 18

The following is (are) true according to the NASW Code of Ethics :

A)Social workers should not engage in any physical contact with clients when there is potential of inflicting psychological harm on the clients
B)Social workers should take reasonable steps to safeguard the interests and rights of those clients who are unable to make informed decisions
C)Social workers should not have sex with a client, but is free to do so as soon as the client-worker relationship has been terminated
D)a and b only

Question 19

The idea that in a perfect world all citizens would have the same basic rights, protection, opportunities, obligations, and social benefits is the core value of the NASW Code of Ethics entitled:

A)Social justice
B)Dignity and worth of the person
C)Competence
D)Importance of human relationships

Question 20

The term _____ involves the premise that all people, regardless of race, culture, or national origin, are entitled to basic rights and treatment.

A)Social justice
B)Economic justice
C)Human rights
D)Negative freedoms

Question 21

Competence, a core value in the NASW Code of Ethics , means the provision of help, resources, and benefits so that people may achieve their maximum potential.

Question 22

The Self Determination Movement is founded on all of the following principles except :

A)Freedom
B)Responsibility
C)Support
D)Supervision

Question 23

Congress (1999) makes which of the following suggestions for determining whether a potential dual relationship is appropriate or ethical?

A)Affirm the responsibility of the client to avoid even the possibility of the most vulnerable persons involved.
B)Do not discuss with colleagues the advisability of developing a dual relationship.
C)Examine the risk of exploitation and harm to the most powerful person.
D)Clearly define the nature of the dual relationship involved.

Question 24

According to the NASW Code of Ethics , workers should be respectful in both written and verbal communication about clients, avoiding any use of derogatory terms.

Question 25

According to the NASW Code of Ethics , a social worker may terminate services to a client in order to begin an intimate relationship with that client.

Question 26

According to the NASW Code of Ethics , social workers may provide clinical services to clients with whom they were formerly sexual partners as long as sexual activity is no longer taking place.

Question 27

According to the NASW Code of Ethics , social workers may use disputes between other colleagues and their employer if it improves their status.

Question 28

The highlight in the text regarding the Internet called the general guidelines:

A)Netiquette
B)Web Manners
C)Interguide
D)Rules of the Road

Question 29

Confidentiality is the condition of being free from unauthorized observation or intrusion, and privacy is the ethical principle that workers should not share information provided by a client or about a client unless that worker has the client's explicit permission to do so.

Question 30

Interdisciplinary collaboration, one of the social workers' ethical responsibilities to colleagues, is the need for social workers, when working with teams involving other disciplines, to make contributions based on professional social work knowledge, skills, and values to the best of their ability in the clients' best interest.

Question 31

_____ is a global concept intended to protect client's privacy, yet permit some degree of disclosure.

A)Paternalism
B)Self-determination
C)Relative confidentiality
D)Privilege

Question 32

Workers should avoid conflicts of interest such as those between a worker's personal interests and her professional responsibility.

Question 33

Social workers should avoid consulting with colleagues because they should be competent enough to serve clients without help.

Question 34

The court determined in Tarasoff v. The Regents of the University of California that:

A)It is a therapist's duty to protect a third party from the foreseeable harm of a client even if it takes breaking confidentiality
B)Therapists must maintain confidentiality on behalf of their clients
C)It is a university's responsibility to maintain confidentiality of records

Question 35

According to the NASW Code of Ethics , social workers should provide clients with reasonable access to records.

Question 36

Deliberate action on behalf of a client or decision-making about what's best for a client with the intentional overriding of what the client wants to do or how the client prefers to be treated is called:

A)Paternalism
B)Self-determination
C)Relative confidentiality
D)Privilege

Question 37

_____ is an ethical principle in social work that acknowledges people's right to make their own decisions and decide their own course of action.

A)Paternalism
B)Self-determination
C)Relative confidentiality
D)Privilege

Question 38

A dilemma is a situation where one must make a difficult choice among two or more alternatives.

Question 39

Social workers should have the qualifications, ability, and skill to conduct social work practice effectively with the particular clients and problems involved.

Question 40

According to the NASW Code of Ethics , social workers should respect and work cooperatively with colleagues.

Question 41

Social work practitioners should avoid forming sexual relationships with colleagues whenever there is a potential for conflict of interest.

Question 42

Social workers who are aware of a colleague's impairment-due to personal problems, psychosocial distress, substance abuse, or mental health difficulties that interfere with practice effectiveness-should consult with the colleague when feasible and assist the colleague in taking remedial action.

Question 43

Lulabelle is a job coach for a county social services department. Stella, age 19, is one of Lulabelle's clients. Stella emphasizes that she would like to get a clerical job like a secretary or administrative assistant. Stella says she's generally shy with people and would like a job where she could work in a more solitary manner. Stella states she has always been good at typing.  Lulabelle knows that Stella never graduated from high school. She can't believe that Stella's typing or writing skills are anywhere near adequate for such a position. Therefore, Lulabelle decides not to inform Stella about available clerical alternatives. Rather, she steers Stella to think about becoming a sales clerk. This is the ethical thing to do.

Question 44

According to the NASW Code of Ethics , when personal problems begin to interfere with competent professional performance, social workers should seek appropriate consultation and help.

Question 45

Wenonah, a foster care worker, intensely dislikes her colleague Herman, a worker in the same unit.  She feels he is lazy, knows little, and fails to take his job seriously. She takes every opportunity to criticize him to other workers behind his back by focusing on the fact that he has a single eyebrow that flows across his Neanderthal-like forehead. This is the ethical thing to do.

Question 46

According to the NASW Code of Ethics , the private behavior of social workers has nothing to do with the fulfillment of professional responsibility.

Question 47

Sheila, age 24, is a counselor at a community-based halfway house for men on parole who are also substance abusers. Most of the clients are in their twenties and early thirties. Sheila finds herself physically attracted to Biff, a good-looking, charming twenty-six-year-old parolee who resides in the house. Agency policy clearly forbids any such relationships with current clients or anyone who has been a client within the past six months. Sheila fights her feelings, but finally gives in. When he asks her for a date, she assents and begins an intimate relationship with Biff "on the sly." This is the ethical thing to do.

Question 48

According to the NASW Code of Ethics , social workers should establish billing procedures, when appropriate, that accurately reflect the nature of services and who is to provide them.

Question 49

Harry, a social worker at a day care center, is angry with the administration. He feels the administration is unfair to the center's workers and not treating clients the way they should be treated. He calls parents to complain to them about the agency's other workers and administrators. This is the ethical thing for him to do.

Question 50

Paula, a substance abuse counselor, takes her work very seriously. She is working with Reba, an alcoholic. As they address issues, Paula discovers that Reba abuses her children when she's drinking.  Paula does not consider herself an expert in the area of child abuse and neglect. Paula talks with other agency colleagues regularly, trying to keep track of their areas of interest and professional development.  Paula's supervisor encourages her staff to share their expertise with one another. Paula knows that Robinette has substantial experience working with child abuse cases so she takes it upon herself to talk with Robinette about Reba. This is the ethical thing to do.

Question 51

One of the core values of the Canadian Association of Social Workers' Code of Ethics is entitled Confidentiality in Professional Practice.

Question 52

Social workers may engage in organized action, including the formation of and participation in labor unions, to improve services to clients and working conditions.

Question 53

The political arm of the NASW is called the Political Action for Candidate Election.

Question 54

Karen and Madeline are both workers for a rural social services agency. They also have been personal friends for a long time. At work both are pressured by lack of resources, multigeneration family farm closures, and clients' oppressive poverty. Karen notices that Madeline often sucks on intensively minty breath lozenges. They almost smell like alcohol. Karen also notices that on several occasions, Madeline slurred her words when first coming to work. Finally, on three occasions, Karen stops in on Madeline and finds her quickly shoving something into her desk drawer. All three times Karen thinks she smells alcohol. Karen has often prided herself on an exceptional sense of smell (for better or for worse).  Karen also thinks it odd that Madeline's office door is frequently closed these days. Karen wonders if Madeline could possibly have an alcohol problem. She knows Madeline is a social drinker. On the one hand, Karen worries how a confrontation might affect their personal relationship which she really values.  On the other, Karen worries about how alcohol might be influencing Madeline's practice and harming her clients. Karen decides that, difficult as it will be, she must confront Madeline about her possible drinking. This is the ethical thing to do.

Question 55

Rich is a housing worker for a county social services department who helps "disadvantaged populations who need assistance in obtaining quality and affordable housing in the housing market" (Gibelman, 1995, pp. 298-299). One of Rich's clients, Kendra, has significant physical disabilities including advancing arthritis and declining eyesight. Rich determines that only one of Kendra's needs is housing. Her health requirements are also critically significant. Rich acknowledges that he knows little about the health services that Kendra needs. He thus refers her to another agency worker with expertise in that area. Meanwhile, Rich continues working to fulfill her housing needs. This is the ethical thing to do.

Question 56

Frankie and Johnnie are social work counselors at a group home for adolescent girls with emotional and behavioral problems. They and their significant others occasionally have dinner with a mutual friend Leroy, a county social services worker, along with his significant other. The three workers regularly compare "battle stories" about their most difficult cases. Is this a problem?

Question 57

A 21-year-old single mother, Nerene, confides to her public assistance worker, Horace, that she is planning to shoot her boyfriend. Horace must report this to the proper authorities because the potential harm to Nerene's boyfriend supersedes Horace's commitment to Nerene. Horace explains his serious concerns and informs Nerene that he is required by law to inform authorities of her threats.  Horace then informs the designated authorities. This is the ethical thing to do.

Question 58

According to the NASW Code of Ethics , social workers should accept only responsibilities for which they are competent.

Question 59

Viveca, a case manager for people with serious physical disabilities, makes it a point to stop colleagues whenever they start talking about cases she has nothing to do with. She feels that although such information at times can be "juicy," it violates a professional's responsibility to maintain confidentiality among colleagues. This is the ethical thing to do.

Question 60

Duncan, a social worker, watches late night television just so he can tell the dirtiest jokes at work the next day. He thinks he is ever so clever. He enjoys the guffaws of some of his fellow co-workers, most of whom are men. He ignores the scornful scowls he sometimes gets from Virginia and Anne after telling some of his best ones. Duncan passes these latter responses off.  He thinks to himself, "What's wrong with those old women. Don't they have a sense of humor?" This is the ethical thing to do.

Question 61

Cite and explain four of the six core values identified in the Canadian Association of Social Workers' Code of Ethics .

Question 62

A consistent ethical problem in social work is the distribution of a limited supply of resources.

Question 63

Identify and explain the seven principles portrayed in Dolgoff, Loewenberg, and Harrington's "Ethical Principles Screen."

Question 64

Cite and explain five of the 16 social workers' ethical responsibilities to clients as presented in the NASW Code of Ethics .

Question 65

When conceptualizing an ethical dilemma, it is important to get feedback from others.

Question 66

Agency policies and regulation always coincide with professional social work values.

Question 67

Yaba is a family planning counselor at a Planned Parenthood clinic. She helps clients choose contraceptive methodology and make reproductive decisions. Gretchen is a new worker who just transferred in from a small satellite clinic that had to be closed because of budget cuts. Yaba has several opportunities to talk with Gretchen about the clinic's services. Gretchen makes several comments to Yaba where her facts are blatantly in error. Yaba wonders what kind of information Gretchen is giving clients. Yaba asks Gretchen to lunch so that she might informally talk to Gretchen about her concerns.  During this meeting Yaba identifies some reading materials and a series of in-services Gretchen might pursue to improve her effectiveness. This is the ethical thing to do.

Question 68

Values involve what you do and do not consider important and worthwhile.

Question 69

Whistle-blowing is usually risky.

Question 70

Define, compare, and contrast the terms: confidentiality, relative confidentiality, and privilege.  Discuss their implications for social work practice.

Question 71

Maximizing client self-determination to whatever extent possible is the social work practitioner's responsibility.

Question 72

Define whistle-blowing. Discuss its pros and cons.