Texas A&M University (TAMU) Commerce Social Work (SW) Comprehensive Clinical Practice Test

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• A social worker might determine not to significantly intervene in a client's regression when regression serves to help the client use feelings and ideas that contribute to the solution.
• In rational behavior therapy, the difference between the 'normal' adolescent and the adolescent who acts out is that the latter:
• In the initial phase of treatment, the primary task of a social worker is to?
• Describe the steps for conducting a cultural formulation interview and how to use it to inform treatment planning.
• In comparing models of social work clinical practice, the most significant difference tends to be related to...
• Being an 'active' listener means the social worker should primarily?
• Which statement about tardive dyskinesia is UNTRUE?
• In encouraging the client to bring forth material the social worker should?
• In a crisis where a client presents with suicidal ideation and a plan, what is the appropriate sequence of steps a clinical social worker should take?
• In establishing a working alliance, the social worker should?
• A social worker begins an interview by showing interest and understanding, expressing a desire to help, and reassuring the client. This is known as what?
• In working with a client who demonstrates paranoid ideation, the social worker would NOT use:
• For a patient with bipolar disorder who shows signs of suicidal intent, the best intervention is to:
• What are the mandated reporting obligations for social workers in Texas regarding child abuse/neglect?
• In Susie’s case, a 15-year-old with academic and behavioral problems and resistance to treatment, the social worker is most likely to recommend:
• According to Beck, which treatment modality seems least used in treating clients diagnosed with schizophrenia?
• A child displaying tense and hostile behavior in an open-classroom setting is moved to a structured classroom. This change is an example of what?
• Which statement best differentiates a diagnostic assessment from a treatment plan?
• What information can a genogram reveal in a clinical assessment?
• Which statement best reflects being an 'active' listener?
• A ward meeting on an inpatient unit has become dominated by nurses due to reimbursement rates. This illustrates:
• Darlene is 16 and acts out when angry or depressed. This describes a client who discharges tension by action, called what?
• What constitutes informed consent in social work, and what elements must be documented?
• In establishing a professional relationship, a social worker must convey which attitude?
• Using the technique of 'modifying the environment' helps to diminish?
• How do CBT and DBT differ in treatment aims and core techniques?
• In the elder client case, the problem contributing to nursing home placement was the husband's which behaviors?
• Which therapy emphasizes changing thoughts and behaviors through structure and activity, especially for adolescents who act out?
• What is the most important consideration in choosing a goal with a client?
• The husband's behavior that led to nursing home placement included what?
• A client's capacity to enter a social work relationship cannot usually be determined by which factor?
• A major difference between clinical social work and psychiatry is:
• Discharge planning in hospital social work primarily involves which responsibility?
• The Ralph vignette (an eight-year-old malnourished and neglected child with family scapegoating) is an example of which of the following?
• As a client presents material, a social worker should?
• Which characteristic is most consistent with borderline personality disorder, as illustrated in clinical vignettes?
• A young man separates from his wife and returns to live with his parents, arguing with his mother and making many demands. The social worker would first meet with?
• Which statement best describes transference in social work?
• In supervision, what should a supervisee expect during the meeting?
• Positive regard and nonpossessive warmth, as outlined by Rogers, refer to an attitude of:
• A patient with depression shows signs of recovery after several weeks. The social worker's concern about the patient's suicide would:
• How do you differentiate normal grief from complicated grief and when should you refer for specialized treatment?
• Which statement best describes the role of case management in social work?
• Before referral, Mrs. Taylor believed there was no reason to see a social worker because she had which prior actions?
• Which criterion is not a measure of a client's motivation?
• Which statement about tardive dyskinesia is false?
• Which population shows greater responsiveness to environment manipulation as a means of personality change?
• Which components are typically integrated into a DSM-5-TR diagnostic formulation?
• Communication with individuals with Asperger's disorder should be characterized by which approach?
• In treating a person diagnosed with a personality disorder, what is described as a goal?
• In developing a contract with clients who have negative feelings about the agency, the social worker should?
• Which statement best describes confidentiality during a malpractice defense?
• Explain ethical considerations regarding multiple relationships and boundary management in clinical practice.
• Which intervention category is described as drawing out descriptive and explanatory materials, including exploration, description, and ventilation?
• Which statement describes common barriers to client engagement and a recommended set of strategies to address them?
• In Texas, when pharmacotherapy might help a client but you cannot prescribe, which professional should you refer to?
• In balancing empathic response with exploring another person's perspective, which combination is most helpful for a client with narcissistic traits?
• A client is very self-critical. A social worker should not say which of the following?
• When a client believes colors have special meaning and uses colors to interpret others' emotions, this symptom is most consistent with?
• Which statement best describes how social workers address power, privilege, and oppression in clinical settings and promote social justice?
• The Susie case illustrates that the social worker should primarily address which domain?
• The most important contraindication for marital therapy is?
• Which statement about determining a client's capacity to form a social work relationship is most accurate?
• After a neighbor's dog attacked and bit her, a child now avoids dogs, has nightmares, and seems to 'replay' the event. The most likely diagnosis is which?
• What is the role of risk assessment in social work practice, and what tools can be used to support it?
• Which intervention would be least appropriate for paranoid ideation?
• Culture-bound syndrome refers to symptom patterns limited to a specific ethnic or national group. Which statement best reflects this concept?
• The onset of schizophrenia is most commonly observed in which life stage?
• In the cultural formulation interview, which aspect is assessed to inform treatment planning?
• A suicide hotline receives a 2:00am call from someone depressed and contemplating suicide. The appropriate action is to:
• Margot is a client with Histrionic Personality Disorder. After six months, Margot complains about a manager's evaluation and asks for sympathetic agreement. The clinician asks her to reflect on how her job performance may have contributed. Which rationale is NOT applicable to explain this intervention?
• In ego psychology, a major feature that distinguishes a person diagnosed as schizophrenic in dealing with separation-individuation is that the person has a fear of?
• Which approach best supports a client who is ambivalent about change but wants to explore options?
• The most appropriate technique to use with a new client who is decompensating is?
• Which factor is associated with a better prognosis for schizophrenia?
• In defending against malpractice when sued by a former client, which statement best reflects confidentiality?
• Which statement best defines trauma-informed care?
• How do you assess service needs and link clients to resources in case management?
• Which components are part of OARS in motivational interviewing?
• What is the preferred order of steps in a micro- to macro-level intervention plan under generalist practice?
• Schizophrenic episodes most frequently occur for the first time during which life stage?
• In the bipolar case, the recommended practice regarding suicidal thoughts is:
• In the case of color-meaning delusions, the symptom is best categorized as which type of symptom?
• Which statement reflects ethical concerns in client recordkeeping?
• When delivering services via telehealth, which action helps ensure safety if technology fails?
• Why did Susan shift topics away from Carly's discussion of her return home and daily management?
• Which best describes the goal of strengthening the intergenerational boundary in a structural family therapy context?
• What is the chief difference between schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder?
• A client with narcissistic personality disorder feels that her advice is extraordinarily helpful to others in making major life decisions. She tells her therapist that she was very hurt recently when her son's fiancé said that the client should mind her own business and not try to guide her about her career and how their getting married could hurt her professional future. To be most helpful to the client, the therapist must achieve a balance between:
• Supportive therapy would be inappropriate when the client is:
• In treating personality disorders, a goal involves transforming ego-syntonic traits into ego-alien traits. Which option reflects this aim?
• A client complains that if the social worker cared for him like his mother, he would not be charged for treatment. This is an example of which phenomenon?
• What is the role of collateral information in a biopsychosocial assessment?
• In violence risk assessment for a client with paranoia or psychosis, which approach is correct?
• When contracting with a client who expresses negative feelings about the agency, what is an appropriate social work response?
• What is trauma-informed supervision, and why is it important for clinicians working with trauma clients?
• Which statement accurately describes DSM-5-TR criteria for Major Depressive Disorder?
• What are essential considerations when conducting a culturally responsive intake interview with an immigrant client?
• Which practice demonstrates cultural humility in assessment and intervention?
• In the social work relationship, the social worker should be careful not to act on?
• When a client with schizophrenia begins to hallucinate, the social worker's most appropriate response is to...
• In approaching the client, the social worker should?
• When treating co-occurring substance use disorder and depression, which practice is essential?
• Which of the following is NOT a purpose of collateral interviews?
• A hospital case manager is responsible for discharge planning for an 83-year-old man after surgery. Had she confronted the systemic problem, it would illustrate the case management role of?
• Which statement best represents SMART goals in treatment planning?
• A school social worker sees an adolescent who reports truancy and forged excuses. The appropriate initial response is to?
• In an enmeshed family, which intervention best promotes autonomy?
• In ego psychology, persistent lateness for appointments is interpreted as which signal?
• What term describes the behavior of creating stories to fill memory gaps, as seen in the Korsakoff case?
• In diagnosing personality disorders, which symptom is not typically included?
• A college student considering a leave of absence meets with a social worker in the college counseling office for help in deciding what to do. The student presents her ambivalence about school, her other options and her parents' disapproval of her not graduating 'on time'. The social worker's professional behavior toward the client should incorporate?
• When a patient who was readmitted complains that his doctors have never understood him, the social worker should which of the following?
• Mrs. K's presentation most closely aligns with which personality disorder?
• To diminish a client's resistance the worker would?
• Which action illustrates advocacy in case management?
• With a married woman whose husband is a compulsive gambler and who describes her husband's behavior in a way that centers the discussion on him, the social worker should...
• What information does a genogram provide in clinical assessment?
• Which scenario best illustrates the role of advocacy when systemic pressures threaten patient care?
• What is an ethical decision-making framework, and how is it applied in ambiguous dilemmas?
• When assessing suicidality in a client from a collectivist background, which approach aligns with culturally informed practice?
• In working with a client who has a narcissistic personality disorder, the social worker most often does NOT become which of the following?
• The Susie case identifies the student as how old?
• What does 'contracting' typically establish in a clinical social work engagement?
• What is the primary purpose of case formulation in guiding intervention?
• Explain the concept of the therapeutic alliance and its impact on treatment outcomes.
• In conjoint therapy for a couple with marital difficulties, the social worker would not seek to focus on which of the following?
• Which statement best describes schizoaffective disorder in relation to schizophrenia?
• In the Beech family case, the social worker's primary focus would be to:
• Which combination best captures the Korsakoff syndrome features described in the case?
• A case manager at a day program for chronically mentally ill clients who live in group homes often is late in picking up clients. When his supervisor questions lateness, he says it is good for clients to be more 'laid back' and learn to deal with frustration. According to Social-learning theory, this pattern would teach clients that:
• In Susie's profile, which factor most directly signals a challenge to treatment?
• A male client with major depressive disorder improves on an SSRI but stops the medication, not reporting reasons. Which SSRI side effect could account for this decision?
• In treating a client with narcissistic personality disorder, the clinician is frequently idealized by the client to fulfill functions unmet by the client's parents. This dynamic best describes the clinician's role as...
• When a client becomes upset while discussing past trauma, the intervention to shift topics illustrates which principle?
• In a session to evaluate the feasibility of treating a couple conjointly, the primary focus of the social worker should be on?
• How can a clinician incorporate family involvement in treatment for adult clients?
• What is the primary distinction between confidentiality and privileged communication in social work, and when might disclosure be ethically required?
• Which set of factors contributed to Ralph's aggressive behavior in the vignette?
• Which of the following best describes the Korsakoff case’s memory symptom profile?
• A key element of Sigmund Freud's work that is the basis of social casework is the idea of?
• When evaluating whether to use conjoint therapy, the clinician should primarily assess how the partners interact rather than their individual histories.
• Clients with Asperger's disorder often require verbal communication that is what?
• In dealing with the client's guilt about placing her husband in a nursing home due to Alzheimer's progression, what would the worker do first?
• Which statement about solution-focused therapy is accurate?
• What is the recommended stance when working with a student who is uncertain about leaving school?
• In a scenario where a client repeatedly requests an additional AIDS test despite negative results, the social worker should assess which of the following?
• Which defense mechanism pair is most commonly observed in couples with marital problems?
• Which symptom is described as present in the Korsakoff case?
• In educational settings, moving a student from an open-classroom to a structured classroom is an example of which type of change?
• Which symptom is not described as part of the Korsakoff case in the provided material?
• Which statement best captures the concept of 'ego support' in social work intervention with a client in crisis?
• The process of termination in social work does not involve working through the client's feelings of:
• As the clinical relationship develops, the social worker can?
• Which is a key component of culturally responsive intake with immigrant clients?
• In which scenario is disclosure of confidential information ethically required, considering legal obligations?
• In Texas, can licensed master social workers prescribe medications, and what should you do if medication might help a client?
• In trauma treatment, what helps prevent re-traumatization and supports safety?
• In social work, the function of the contract is to:
• Mrs. Taylor read passages to her husband describing which topics?
• Which statement accurately reflects the DSM-5-TR criteria for PTSD, including symptom clusters and duration?
• Initially, treatment with Mrs. Taylor would involve which of the following?
• Which statement best captures the Rogers' concept of acceptance in client-centered therapy?
• Which description best defines case formulation in clinical social work?
• After filing a mandated report, what should you do?
• Which service helps address language barriers during assessment and treatment?
• DSM-IV-TR describes a group of symptom patterns limited to a specific ethnic or national group as which of the following?
• If a client presents with many classic depressive symptoms, what should the social worker focus questions on?
• The prognosis for clients with schizophrenia is best when the person is which of the following?
• Which description best captures the idea behind 'working through' in clinical practice?
• The technique used by social workers to increase a client's motivation to change is called?
• Which scenario constitutes a major contraindication for marital therapy?
• Which term best describes the social worker's initial approach that communicates interest, understanding, a desire to help, and reassurance?
• A client with a personality disorder recognizes certain maladaptive behaviors are no longer acceptable, then experiences depression, loss of appetite, and sleep trouble. How would a social worker interpret these symptoms?
• In family systems theory, a greater level of symbiosis typically leads to a preference for which type of treatment approach?
• In settings emphasizing brief treatment models, when should the social worker's professional opinion about the nature of a client's problem be formed?
• In writing a diagnostic evaluation of an adult client, which item would not necessarily be included?
• Which technique is more successful in changing personality in children than in adults?
• A treatment plan typically includes which elements?
• What is the recommended approach when a client has both substance use disorder and depression?
• Mrs. Taylor's major defense mechanisms are which?
• Which statement best describes primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention in clinical social work?
• What is the recommended approach when a boundary crossing is necessary in practice?
• Mrs. Taylor was referred to a social worker after what event?
• In family systems theory, enmeshment is best described as
• Assertive casework is a technique in which?
• What is a key ethical consideration when conducting collateral interviews?
• The two most common defense mechanisms employed by couples with marital problems are?
• To foster growth in the client, the social worker should?
• In a cultural humility framework, which steps help ensure culturally responsive assessment and intervention?
• Which option best describes the principle of goal setting with clients?
• In schizophrenia treatment when families are available, a key aim is to help families respond to the patient and to help the family and client use available community resources.
• Which of the following is a guiding principle of trauma-informed care?
• According to ego psychology, unconscious motives for seeking help include which of the following?
• A common sexual side effect of SSRIs that can lead to discontinuation is?
• Conscious and unconscious attempts by the client to thwart the therapeutic process are considered what?
• In the stages of change model, which description best contrasts precontemplation and preparation?
• A client with borderline personality disorder repeatedly ends sessions by declaring the therapist has been unhelpful, while at other times praising the therapist; this pattern exemplifies which defense mechanism?
• Which statement accurately reflects DSM-5-TR criteria for Generalized Anxiety Disorder?
• Which statement is clearly not a purpose of an initial interview?
• Interventions designed to draw out descriptive and explanatory materials are known as which combination?
• How would you integrate evidence-based practices for trauma in treating a client with PTSD?
• When would you use motivational interviewing and what are its core spirit and techniques?
• What is cultural humility?
• Which step is part of planning termination with a client?
• In assessing a personality disorder, which item would not be included?
• Which statement best describes how clinicians apply evidence-based practice and best practice in treatment planning?
• In case management, which activity is essential to linking clients to services?
• Which therapy is recommended as an evidence-based practice for PTSD in children and adolescents?
• Which practice supports ethical client records?
• In the Ralph case, which family dynamic is illustrated by the claim that Ralph is seen as 'bad' and is scapegoated by his mother and sisters?
• William was adopted from an orphanage at 18 months and shows clinging behavior and insomnia at age five. His likely diagnosis is what?
• In a biopsychosocial assessment, housing status would most likely be categorized under which domain?
• Which statement best describes the distinction between a DSM-5 diagnosis and a symptom-based formulation?
• What is the DSM-IV-TR difference between acute stress disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder as described in the material?
• From a structural family systems perspective, a client who lives near her parents and shows helplessness would most likely have the clinician focus on...
• What best describes solution-focused brief therapy and its core techniques?
• A client wishes to pay for clinical social work services with her managed care health insurance. According to ethical standards of informed consent, the social worker?
• Which statement best distinguishes life-span developmental theory from Freud, Erikson, and Piaget's stage-based theories?
• A 38-year-old with chronic alcoholism develops short-term memory loss, invents stories, and seems confused and disoriented. The most likely diagnosis is:
• In the early phase of work with an acutely depressed client, the social worker's primary stance is best described as:
• The contemporary focus of treatment in schizophrenia in patients who have families available to them is?
• In working with patients with schizophrenia, the social worker is concerned with all but:
• Which treatment goal is least likely in clinical work with pedophiles?
• Which factor in the inpatient ward scenario demonstrates the financial influence on team leadership?
• Which elements are included in a biopsychosocial assessment for a client presenting with anxiety and relationship stress?
• In ego psychology, unconscious motives for seeking help are described as including keeping unconscious desires from consciousness. This best demonstrates which concept?
• Common consequences of parents discouraging expressions of feeling in young children include which of the following?
• What domains should be included in a biopsychosocial assessment?
• In formulating a client assessment, which item would a social worker not include?
• What is a key concept in the behavior modification approach when used in marital counseling?
• Which statement reflects the management when working with narcissistic PD?
• Which statement reflects a professional boundary in relation to countertransference?
• A case manager working with clients who have Asperger's, schizophrenia, or mood disorders with psychotic features focuses on preventing further decompensation. This treatment is known as what?
• Which modality emphasizes skills in mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness?
• A professional relationship between the social worker and the client would NOT include?
• When working with a newly married couple in which the husband has a history of schizophrenia, the social worker would primarily...