Biopsychosocial History and Collateral Data
A patient complains of sleeplessness, loss of appetite, feeling hopeless, general apathy. To help diagnose a social worker would most need to know
(a) medications the client is taking
(b) family history of depression
(c) how long the symptoms have persisted
(d) if the patient lives alone
What is...
(c) how long the symptoms have persisted
A client who has received services for several years in a dialysis unit appears for a routine visit. The nurse notices a markedly changed affect and refers the client to the social worker. When seeing the social worker, the client seems detached, self-absorbed, and tearful. The social worker should FIRST assess the client's:
(A) life situation and recent changes
(B) compliance with medical care
(C) concerns about dying
(D) feelings about dialysis
What is...
(A) life situation and recent changes
A client who expresses no overt anger accuses her social worker of being angry, hostile, suspicious and cold. The process being used is most likely
(a) projective identification
(b) paranoia
(c) reaction formation
(d) isolation of affect
What is...
(a) projective identification
A new client presents for an intake session with a social worker. The client has a black eye, her arm in a sling, and severe bruising around her neck. When the social worker inquires about the injuries, the client states, “I just tripped and fell. It’s not a big deal. I don’t want to talk about that.” What should the social worker do NEXT?
A. Challenge the client that such injuries are not due to a fall
B. Safety plan with the client
C. Continue the intake assessment
D. Provide a DV shelter referral
What is...
D. Provide a DV shelter referral
A 28 Yr old client with a long standing history of drug use is referred to a social worker by a concerned relative. In the assessment interview, the client tells the social worker about frequent cocaine use. The social worker should FIRST:
(A) conduct a family interview to evaluate the family's concern
(B) begin treatment, focusing on the reason for drug abuse
(C) refer the client to a substance abuse program
(D) evaluate the client's motivation for change
What is...
(C) refer the client to a substance abuse program
A hospital social worker interviews a couple whose six month old infant has recently been hospitalized for cystic fibrosis. The social worker notices that the parents are reluctant to touch the child. Based on this information, the social worker's FIRST intervention should be to:
(A) explore the parent's reaction to the child illness
(B) refer the couple to a support group
(C) evaluate the situation for out-of-home placement
(D) provide the couple with information
What is...
(A) explore the parent's reaction to the child illness
A man is seen in the ER with complaints of visual hallucinations, confusion and restlessness. He also has chills, dilated pupils and nausea. He says “nothing is wrong, I just need sleep”. Which of the following substances is most likely the cause of the condition?
(a) alcohol
(b) marijuana
(c) cocaine
(d) barbiturates
What is...
(c) cocaine
In the first session with a school social worker a high school student reveals he has been cutting school and forging his mother's name on absence excuses. The social worker should:
(A) inform the student that the social worker has a responsibility to inform his mother
(B) avoid negatively reinforcing the attention-seeking behavior
(C) suggest that it would be best for him to inform school authorities and accept responsibility for his behavior
(D) explore the reasons for the absences and factors contributing to the behavior
What is...
(D) explore the reasons for the absences and factors contributing to the behavior
A social worker has been asked to assist an elderly client in making alternative living arrangements. In the initial interview, the client repeatedly attempts to discuss past experiences. What is the social worker's MOST appropriate response to the client?
(A) ignore the references to the past
(B) facilitate discussion of the recollections
(C) refer the client for psychiatric evaluation
(D) administer a geriatric evaluation scale
What is...
(B) facilitate discussion of the recollections
Jane is a client at a mental health clinic who has been attacked by her boyfriend on several occasions. She appears one day with her face badly bruised. Though she has previously been to court and her boyfriend has been ordered by a judge to stay away, he continues to harass and threaten her. In advising the client, the social worker should be aware that:
(A) court orders are rarely violated because offenders are afraid of arrest
(B) the police will react swiftly and will vigorously enforce orders of protection
(C) women often will not accuse their attackers for fear of retribution
(D)battered women sometimes do not protect themselves and will permit violent men to reenter their lives even when a court order prohibits contact
What is...
(D)battered women sometimes do not protect themselves and will permit violent men to reenter their lives even when a court order prohibits contact
A 24 yr old woman complains of depressed mood. She tells the social worker that she has felt this way the past 2-3 yrs. She has little energy for social or work activities, has difficulty making decisions and concentrating, and has poor appetite. There are no delusions or hallucinations. Her most likely DSM IV diagnosis is?
(a) Dysthymic disorder
(b) Bipolar disorder, depressed
(c) Cyclothymic disorder
(d) Major depression, recurrent
What is...
(a) Dysthymic disorder
Parents of a 4 yr old are referred to a social worker after a physical exam reveals no physical problem preventing the child from being toilet trained. The parents reveal that the child has not been able to separate from them to attend nursery school and he sleeps with them most nights. The most important area to focus on in the assessment phase is the:
(a) parents use of rewards and punishments with the child
(b) early developmental and family history of each parent
(c) parents understanding of the child’s developmental processes
(d) ways in which the child interferes with the parents own relationship
What is...
(c) parents understanding of the child's developmental processes