Deck 4: Client Autonomy, Self-Determination, and Informed Consent

Question 1

You are explaining services to a client who has trouble understanding what you are saying because English is not their first language. At this point in the informed consent process you should:

A) Obtain help in translating your explanations for the client so the client can provide consent
B) Declare the client mentally incapacitated and obtain consent from the client's closest relative
C) Tell the client to sign the form now and someone can read it to them later
D) Ask the client to return to services when they learn to speak English

Answer 1

A

Question 2

When working with involuntary clients, a social worker should

A) Give clients as much freedom and choice as possible
B) Inform clients that they have no right to self-determination
C) Pretend that the client has self-determination, even though it is not true
D) Let clients know that they must follow the worker's directions or the worker will be forced to impose negative consequences

Answer 2

A

Question 3

Constitutionally protected freedoms such as the freedom of religion and freedom of assembly are:

A) Absolute freedoms
B) Subject to certain limits (such as when exercising one's freedoms would cause harm to others)
C) Legally protected freedoms for citizens only
D) Legally protected freedoms for clients, but not for social workers

Answer 3

B

Question 4

Gina, a social worker, is seeking parental consent to services for Billie. Billie's parents are divorced. She lives primarily with her mother. Gina should seek consent from:

A) Billie's mother (the parent with whom Billie lives)
B) The court that granted the divorce decree
C) Both parents
D) Whichever parent or parents have legal custody or responsibility to make health and psychosocial care decisions for Billie

Question 5

A parent brings a 10-year-old child, Velma, for social work services. Initially, Velma says, "I don't want to talk with you." At this point, to respect the client's dignity and autonomy, you should:

A) Explain services and Velma's options, invite her feedback and questions, and ask her for assent
B) Explain to Velma that she must participate in services because her mother has already consented on her behalf
C) Tell Velma's parent that Velma is not suitable for services
D) Offer Velma sweets or other treats to encourage her to participate in services

Question 6

When seeking informed consent from a family client, social workers should

A) Seek consent from adult family members only
B) Ask who is the head of the household and obtain consent from that person on behalf of the whole family
C) Explain services to the whole family, ask for consent from those who can provide it, and seek assent from those who cannot provide consent
D) Ensure that everyone in the family provides written consent, regardless of their age, mental capacity, or status within the extended family unit.

Question 7

The main social work value underlying the ethic of obtaining informed consent is

A) Respect for the dignity and worth of all people
B) Human relationships
C) Moral strength
D) Privacy

Question 8

If a court has determined that a person is mentally incompetent, then a social worker seeking consent to services should

A) Assess whether the client has mental capacity to override the court's decision
B) Request consent from the designated proxy or substitute decision maker
C) Refuse services until the client has regained an appropriate mental health status
D) Authorize services on the client's behalf

Question 9

When working with involuntary clients, social workers should:

A) Avoid talking about the consequences if the clients refuse to participate in services
B) Explain that the social worker will not tell anyone if they do not comply with services, so the clients can skip services and nothing bad will happen
C) Inform clients that they can satisfy the mandate for services by paying a fee and leaving the office whenever they want
D) Be honest with the clients about the consequences if they refuse to participate in services

Question 10

A social worker offers to provide services through videoconferencing. The client seems reluctant. According to the ethics of informed consent, the social worker should:

A) Refuse services because the client obviously does not want them
B) Explain the benefits of videoconferencing to convince the client that it is much cheaper, more convenient, and more effective than receiving services in-person
C) Explore the client's reluctance, including whether the client has access to videoconferencing technology and whether the client would prefer in-person services
D) Conduct a mental capacity screening to determine whether the client is competent make important life decisions