Deck 1: Assessment: Assessments and Interventions in Social Work

Question 1

Lisa is a social worker who has received a case referred for possible child abuse. She realizes keeping the children safe is her top priority. The household consists of two parents and three children. There are steps to determine if abuse may have occurred or if the family is at-risk. Which kind of assessment should she use to determine the best possible assistance for this referral?

A)Financial assessment
B)Child welfare assessment
C)Parent assessment
D)Family-centered assessment

Answer 1

Family-centered assessment

Question 2

Cassandra works as a case manager for Child Protective Services. A new family she has been helping has a parent that is starting to raise red flags. The mother is the sole caretaker for the children but is demonstrating some peculiar behaviors. She has not kept consecutive doctor's appointments, has difficulty utilizing public transportation and fails to follow through with basic directions. This parent is always accompanied by another adult when she leaves the home on an errand. When Cassandra starts questioning the mother on her background, it is discovered that she attended special education classes and did not graduate from high school. These factors should arouse concern in what area?

A)Child neglect
B)Child abuse
C)Intellectual limitations
D)Financial distress

Answer 2

Intellectual limitations

Question 3

A social worker meets with a family to gather information that will help identify patterns of parental behavior, both positive and negative, over time. The family's strengths are distinguished to determine protective factors that aid in identifying resources to help the household meet its needs. Overall requirements are addressed that affect the permanency and safety of the children. Information gathered through other assessments is also used to help develop a service plan or plan for intervention. What kind of evaluation is being described?

A)Initial assessment
B)Safety assessment
C)Environmental assessment
D)Comprehensive family assessment

Answer 3

Comprehensive family assessment

Question 4

A referral comes into the local Children's Protective Services in regards to a female infant. The concerns raised by the informant include a lack of nutrition and improper supervision. Neighbors hear the baby cry at all hours of the night for long lengths of time. The parents leave the home before dark and do not seem to reappear until dawn the next day. Groceries brought into the home are noticeably snack foods and alcohol. The social worker responding will need to complete what kind of assessment?

A)Comprehensive family assessment
B)Functional assessment
C)Economic assessment
D)Initial assessment

Question 5

All initial assessments should be conducted by an experienced and qualified social worker. Before confronting the family, there should be a plan about who is doing what and when information can be shared with the parents. Which of the following should be part of an initial assessment?

A)Verifying Medicaid coverage
B)Observing the child with both parents present
C)Seeing and speaking to family members as appropriate
D)Allowing the referent to sit in on all interviews

Question 6

A social worker visits a home after a referral comes in about inappropriate disciplinary techniques being utilized by a mother of a nine-year-old boy. The child is described as out of control, and the parent spanks him five or six times a day. The mother has been heard screaming at the boy, and this has not helped the situation. Shortly into the initial assessment, it is discovered the child has been referred for ADHD testing by a counselor at school. The mother feels her son is simply defiant and angry because his father left the family two years ago. Should the social worker be concerned?

A)Yes, the mother has unrealistic expectations of her child's possible disability.
B)No, the mother is handling the situation and understands her son's emotional problems.
C)Yes, the child should be referred to juvenile services for aggressive behaviors.
D)No, the neighbors are just trying to start trouble for the family.

Question 7

Sexual abuse, physical abuse, emotional abuse and neglect are attributable to a lack of appropriate parental care. When one of these problem is serious enough to adversely affect the progress and enjoyment of a child's life it is defined as what?

A)Emergency removal
B)Significant harm
C)Poor parenting
D)Medical neglect

Question 8

A social worker is confirming that an assessment plan flows naturally from child and family to service planning. To assess needs and recognizing positive strengths, she conducts face-to-face meetings. Other agencies may be involved including teachers, therapists, and other community support systems. What type of assessment encompasses all of the above?

A)Cognitive behavioral assessment
B)Family fundamentals assessment
C)Community relations assessment
D)Functional assessment

Question 9

Of the following types of studies, which are concerned with the effects of drugs on behavior, thought, perception, or mood?

A)Pharmaceutical studies
B)Psychopharmacological studies
C)Psychoactive studies
D)Chemical reactions

Question 10

Citalopram or Celexa is often used to treat depression. It comes in tablet form and should be taken by mouth one time per day. This drug is in a class of antidepressants called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). How does citalopram work?

A)It reduces anxiety.
B)It speeds up circuits in the brain.
C)It increases the amount of serotonin in the brain.
D)It decreases the amount of serotonin in the brain.

Question 11

What is the first step in a psychological assessment?

A)Family medical history
B)Biographical history
C)Bio psychosocial history
D)Mental evaluation

Question 12

Phillip is a 24-year-old male who has been in prison on four different occasions. His criminal record includes domestic assault on a girlfriend, stealing a car, setting fire to an abandoned warehouse and drug use. None of Phillip's acts were premeditated, and he claims to have little control over his actions. What disorder might a social worker set out to treat?

A)Anger management
B)Destructive personality disorder
C)Impulse control disorder
D)Lack of self esteem

Question 13

Impulse control disorder is an umbrella term for a set of psychological disorders. Which of the following is not part of this set?

A)Insomnia
B)Intermittent explosive disorder
C)Kleptomania
D)Pyromania

Question 14

The nation's leading medical problem is not cancer, lung or heart disease. It has definite causes and affects one in five adult Americans. Research suggests genetic, neurological, biochemical, psychological and environmental origins. What condition is being described?

A)Hearing loss
B)Vision loss
C)Mental illness
D)Physical disability

Question 15

Persistent unhappiness, loss of appetite, changes in sleep patterns, withdrawal and decreased energy are all symptoms of what mental illness?

A)Chronic fatigue syndrome
B)Depression
C)Bi-polar disorder
D)Alter-ego

Question 16

Depression has been called by different names, such as the blues, sadness, gloom and just being melancholy. Which of the following is a common symptom of depression?

A)Fatigue
B)Difficulty with concentration
C)Irritability
D)All of the above

Question 17

After a social worker has identified the target behavior of a client, it is time to start collaborative problem solving, including examining the problem situation and developing a hypothesis. There are three parts to this particular type of problem solving: identifying the antecedent, identifying the function of the behavior and:

A)Identifying a positive replacement behavior.
B)Identifying the people involved in the behavior.
C)Identifying the reason for the behavior.
D)Identifying other secondary behaviors.

Question 18

When applying behavior analysis, assessment guides the recognition of target behaviors and the development of an intervention. What are the four methods utilized to obtain a complete understanding of a person's behavior?

A)Direct observation, focus groups, testing and checklists
B)Indirect observation, interviews, tests and medical records
C)Interviews, checklists, problem identifying and observation
D)Direct observation, interviews, checklists and tests

Question 19

When multiple behaviors are identified, a social worker must prioritize according to significance. Factors in determining the significance of a problem include the effect of the behavior on a person's environmental access and its social importance and whether intervention is age-appropriate. What is the term for the priority or most significant behavior?

A)Direct behavior
B)Target behavior
C)Interpreted behavior
D)None of the above

Question 20

The Madisons are meeting with their social worker, who is helping them with daily functioning. They are called into one room and shown a flow chart describing the processes the family unconsciously follows. There are distinguishing hierarchies and alliances within. What type of therapy is the social worker utilizing?

A)Relational therapy
B)Dysfunctional therapy
C)Interactive therapy
D)Structural family therapy

Question 21

Social workers take on many roles when assessing and providing intervention to their clients. For example, the mediator role involves resolving conflicts in various subsystems without taking sides. Which of the following is another role social workers play?

A)Parent
B)Medical provider
C)Psychologist
D)Integrator

Question 22

In an effort to keep his job and family, George has decided to seek therapy for his substance abuse problem. Since this type of psychological problem is viewed as an inability to make meaningful and self-directed choices on how to live, intervention should be directed at increasing George's self-awareness and understanding, with a focus on acceptance and growth. Which kind of therapy is this a description of?

A)Humanistic therapy
B)Behavioral therapy
C)Biomedical therapy
D)Cognitive therapy

Question 23

Existential therapy focuses on helping clients find meaning amidst anxiety by making choices to act and think responsibly and focusing on individual problems such as loneliness, despair, isolation and death. Existential therapy believes that clients' problems come from not sufficiently exercising choice to bring meaning into their lives. What are the main themes for this type of therapy?

A)Self and determination
B)Responsibility and freedom
C)Choices and self
D)Authenticity and free will

Question 24

When developing a functioning service plan to maintain safety and permanence within a family, what type of assessment should be utilized?

A)Individual assessment
B)Group assessment
C)Family-centered assessment
D)Child welfare assessment

Question 25

A social worker meets with the Robertson family to complete a comprehensive family assessment to help recognize parental behavior. Information will be collected on who lives in the home, health history, employment and stability. Which of the following possible contributing factors should the social worker consider?

A)Domestic violence
B)Alcohol/drug usage
C)Educational background
D)All of the above

Question 26

A family has asked for help with their son. Adrian is an active nine year old who is always on the go. His past behaviors have been blamed on high energy levels and the need to be expressive. Lately, these behaviors have become a problem for Adrian's teachers. There have been three conferences between parents and school staff in the last three months pertaining to the child questioning rules and talking back inappropriately. When he is confronted, Adrian displays resentment towards the authority figure. What might the child be assessed for by the social worker?

A)ADHD
B)Oppositional defiant disorder
C)Anti-social disorder
D)Mood disorder

Question 27

A social worker needs to be cautious when completing an assessment for oppositional defiant disorder. The problem should be observed at home and school. Behaviors must occur in a manner that affects family, social life and academic life. Which of the following symptoms need to be displayed in order to correctly diagnose oppositional defiant disorder?

A)Annoyed by others
B)Talking in a hateful manner
C)Frequent temper tantrums
D)All of the above

Question 28

Sandra's grandmother has been diagnosed with dementia, but recently she has been demonstrating more severe symptoms. She has problems thinking, and the memory loss is beginning to interfere with hobbies, family and social life. What problem may be occurring that affects 5.3 million Americans?

A)Social identity disorder
B)Cognitive delay disorder
C)Chronic fatigue syndrome
D)Alzheimer disorder

Question 29

There is a wide range of symptoms and severity across the autism spectrum. Given this fact, which observation is most crucial in establishing a diagnosis of autism?

A)Impairment in social interaction and communication
B)Impairment in memory and thinking
C)Impairment in physical abilities
D)Impairment with directives from authority figures

Question 30

Ashley's family has sought out the services of a social worker to determine what kind of problems the child is having. She tends to display involuntary movements such as repeatedly blinking her eyes and saying things at inappropriate times. These issues have worsened with age. Her father states that there is an uncle in the family who demonstrates the same behaviors. What might be the findings of the social worker's assessment?

A)Obsessive compulsive behavior
B)Narcissistic disorder
C)Tourette syndrome
D)Alter-ego disorder

Question 31

Sabrina has managed to alienate all of her co-workers with bizarre behaviors. She is constantly stealing other people's food from the refrigerator in the lunchroom, arguing with fellow employees over unimportant issues and most recently showing up for work intoxicated. Sabrina is quick-tempered and has even thrown a stapler at a coworker's computer. She has been ordered to seek help for observable problems. A full assessment will more than likely display what findings?

A)Judgment disorder
B)Affect regulation disorder
C)Bi-polar disorder
D)Impulse control disorder

Question 32

When utilizing cognitive therapy as a form of direct practice, a social worker's main goal is to bring about which of the following changes in behavior?

A)Diminishing anger
B)Becoming more aggressive
C)Controlling mood swings
D)Controlling emotional responses

Question 33

A social worker is helping a client named Beth with anxiety issues that surface when she is in dark places. The problem has occurred since the client was young, and she sleeps with every light on in her home. Most nights, Beth dozes on the couch, and the lack of sleep is interfering with her home and social life. Which of the following types of therapy would be most effective in combating Beth's anxiety issues?

A)Behavior modification
B)Systematic desensitization
C)Cognitive behavioral
D)Psychosomatic disorder

Question 34

Many social workers utilize a therapy-not to be confused with classical conditioning.-that deals with modifications of voluntary behaviors caused by environmental influences. This kind of therapy includes four basic consequences: positive reinforcement, negative reinforcement, positive punishment and negative punishment. Which of the following therapies is described above?

A)Covert behavior therapy
B)Positive reaction therapy
C)Operant conditioning therapy
D)None of the above

Question 35

Person-centered therapy demonstrates emotional understanding and sensitivity towards the client's point of view. The social worker's job is to listen and give complete attention to what the client is verbalizing. Which three attitudes on the part of the therapist make this therapy productive?

A)Empathy, compassion, and coerciveness
B)Formality, positive reaction, and covert behavior
C)Instruction, congruence and empathy
D)Positive reaction, positive regard and congruence

Question 36

Scott has been in and out of traditional therapy with little effect on his problems. He feels the main focus is on the issue rather than the solution, and this tends to place him in a passive, helpless role. He already knows what is wrong but wants to move towards what is right. What goal would a social worker aim for with this in mind?

A)Solution building
B)Positive attitude
C)Cognition
D)Structured therapy

Question 37

Social workers will often utilize a therapy that is similar to the existential approach. An emphasis is on fulfillment and growth through self-perception. The presumption is that everyone's true nature is good.
Which of the following therapies is described above?

A)Self-centered therapy
B)Gestalt therapy
C)Realty therapy
D)Humanistic therapy

Question 38

Sabrina sees a social worker once a week due to an internal conflict that has hindered her everyday functioning in society. The therapy focuses on freedom of choice for issues that are present and those in the possible future. Sabrina will work on four themes, including isolation, freed om, meaninglessness and death. What method is being utilized?

A)Psychosomatic therapy
B)Gestalt therapy
C)Covert therapy
D)Existential therapy

Question 39

A social worker is asked to help a family struggling after the recent loss of their home. A fire consumed the entire structure and all contents within. Tangible supports such as food and clothing have been donated. What other care would be most beneficial at this time?

A)Informational and emotional
B)Medical and social
C)Independence and money
D)Psychological and medical

Question 40

The disengagement theory views aging as a mutual withdrawal from family, support circles and friends. Societies around the world appear to endorse the idea of elders voluntarily slowing down. Sometimes this occurs when older adults lose their ability to drive, eat or bathe on their own. Which of the following factor most influences the extent to which an elderly person will interact with others?

A)Support services
B)Abundant relatives
C)Health and mobility
D)Friends of the same age

Question 41

In Maslow's hierarchy of needs, the need for love and esteem is referred to as emotional dependency. There are five levels of emotionally dependency, all necessary for children to grow into happy individuals. These levels are self-actualization, esteem, love and belonging and:

A)External fulfillment
B)Emotional reciprocity
C)Psychological dependence
D)Physiological growth

Question 42

Al is described by friends and family as being self-centered. He has problems with anger but never wants to accept the blame. Al's relationships with two different women failed because he was physically abusive. A social worker might assess this client with reaction formation disorder. Which category of reaction formation disorder would he fall into?

A)Internalizers
B)Externalizers
C)Inhibitors
D)All of the above

Question 43

Strategies utilized to cope with basic anxiety caused by interpersonal relationships can often be overused. When this happens, they take the appearance of needs as described within the neurosis theory. Which psychologist developed this idea?

A)Sigmund Freud
B)Erik Erikson
C)Karen Horney
D)Piaget

Question 44

Children will normally avoid being disciplined by their parents. Some, however, seek out discipline by displaying inappropriate behaviors and acting on uncontrollable impulses. If a child acts up in a way that forces people around him to step in and help him control his impulses, he is mostly likely suffering from which of the following problems?

A)Esteem needs
B)Spoiled-child syndrome
C)Abuse and neglect
D)Emotional disorder

Question 45

Psychoanalysis is part of Sigmund Freud's structural id-ego-superego model of an individual's mind. Practice components focus on pathological development and management of aggressive impulses. How one adapts to reality is called:

A)Reality theory
B)Ego functioning
C)Behaviorism
D)Cognitive development

Question 46

A social worker is helping a client who has had a tumultuous past. The client's main is the way his past has come full circle and resulted in problems in the present. After a thorough assessment, the social worker decides to focus on the here and now. What theory is being followed?

A)Bandura theory
B)Horney theory
C)Gestalt theory
D)Freud theory

Question 47

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 reports being tired all the time and cannot function at school most days. A social worker will identify a target behavior by examining the antecedent, identifying the function and identifying a positive replacement behavior. What type of problem solving should be initiated by the social worker?

A)Authoritative
B)Self-centered
C)Collaborative
D)Independent

Question 48

Alysha meets with a social worker and discusses self-perceived problems. She reports complex mood swings that last for weeks and sometimes months. Alysha'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)Manic depressive disorder
C)Bi-polar disorder
D)Post traumatic stress disorder

Question 49

A social worker is having difficulty assessing a client's disorder. Symptoms include compulsions, phobias, anxiety, depression, and mood swings. All of these are fairly common problems, so the social worker looks back into the patient's childhood. There she finds a history of sexual abuse by a guardian. This helps the social worker diagnose which disorder?

A)Post traumatic stress disorder
B)Dissociative disorder
C)Bi-polar disorder
D)None of the above

Question 50

Crisis is a normal part of life, and individuals 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 individual'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

Question 51

Most crises reach some kind of stability within four to eight weeks. Without professional intervention, the behaviors may remain with no opportunity for change. Sometimes recent events can reactivate a previous unresolved crisis. Intervention in a crisis situation will only be successful if the individual:

A)Recognizes the crisis as non threatening
B)Is receptive to outside assistance
C)Can differentiate between emotions
D)Recognize behavioral changes

Question 52

A short-term, problem-solving approach to 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 achieving said outcomes. Last is the termination phase, which emphasizes what the client has learned or accomplished.
Which of the following problem-solving approaches is described above?

A)Psychoanalytic approach
B)Cognitive behavioral approach
C)Task-centered approach
D)Self-centered approach

Question 53

The Henderson family is receiving help from a Child Protective Service worker. There have been incidents of inappropriate parenting, and the social worker wants to help rectify the situation. The approach chosen for this family will identify their positive resources and abilities. What type of assessment will be completed?

A)Problem-solving assessment
B)Strength-based assessment
C)Vulnerability assessment
D)Intellectual limitation assessment

Question 54

The Jacobs family has decided to incorporate the services of a 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

Question 55

Which theory describes individuals as being surrounded by supportive networks? This theory, unlike most psychological and behavioral theories, focuses on the inner relational transactions between systems. All existing elements play an equal role in maintaining balance.

A)Environmental systems approach
B)Strength-based theory
C)Nature vs. nurture theory
D)Ecological systems perspective

Question 56

What form of depression is affected by body temperature, ambient light and hormone regulation?

A)Manic depressive
B)Seasonal affective disorder
C)Bi-polar
D)Dysthymia

Question 57

A local hospital refers a regular patient to the facility's social worker. Madeline is considered a "frequent flyer" by the nurses due to her high number of visits. 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

Question 58

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.

Question 59

A mother of three small children has sought help with parenting skills. The social worker will gather family history and use this to help set goals for the client. It is important not to set the goals 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 and not becoming a victim to it. This intervention is part of what kind of therapy?

A)Gestalt therapy
B)Cognitive-behavioral therapy
C)Psychoanalytic therapy
D)Alderian therapy

Question 60

Most individuals deal with the world by utilizing acquired knowledge in collaboration with inherited abilities to solve problems. When a person fails to develop a rich, complex and satisfying personality, what problem should be addressed?

A)Behavioral disorder
B)Neurosis
C)Dissociative
D)Bi-polar

Question 61

Dependent personality disorder is often defined as the need to be taken care of by others. Individuals 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.

Question 62

What type of changes in a behavior can be observed when a person is in crisis mode?

A)Decreased energy levels
B)Inability to concentrate
C)Withdrawal from friends or relatives
D)All of the above