Free ASWB Clinical Practice Questions

Question 1

A 16-year-old client tells you he has been thinking about suicide “a lot,” has a plan to overdose on his father’s medication, and asks you not to tell his parents because “they’ll freak out.” What should the social worker do FIRST?

Accepted Answer

Conduct an immediate suicide risk assessment, take steps to secure the means, and involve parents or guardians and emergency services as needed for safety.

Answer

Respect his confidentiality and continue weekly outpatient sessions as planned.

Answer

Call his parents immediately and end the session without further assessment.

Answer

Refer him to a psychiatrist for a medication evaluation next week.

Question 2

At the start of a first telehealth session, a new client asks, “How is this different from in-person confidentiality?” The social worker’s FIRST response should be to:

Accepted Answer

Review informed consent, including privacy risks, limits of confidentiality, emergency protocols, and the jurisdiction in which the social worker is licensed.

Answer

Reassure the client that telehealth is completely confidential.

Answer

Begin the clinical interview and address confidentiality at a later session.

Answer

Ask the client to read a generic consent form after the session ends.

Question 3

During ongoing outpatient treatment, a client gives the social worker two tickets to a sold-out concert worth about $75, saying, “You’ve helped me so much.” Which response is MOST appropriate?

Accepted Answer

Decline the gift, explain the professional boundary, and explore what the gift means to the client.

Answer

Accept the gift to avoid rejecting the client’s gratitude.

Answer

Accept the gift and reduce the session fee by the same amount.

Answer

Accept the gift but document it as a boundary crossing with no discussion.

Question 4

An adult client says, “I know exactly where my ex-partner works, and I’m going to hurt him Friday.” When an identifiable person is threatened with serious harm, the social worker’s NEXT step is to:

Accepted Answer

Take reasonable protective steps, which may include warning the identified person and notifying law enforcement, consistent with jurisdiction-specific duty-to-protect law.

Answer

Maintain strict confidentiality because the threat was disclosed in a therapy session.

Answer

Contact the ex-partner directly to confront him yourself.

Answer

Terminate the client immediately to eliminate the social worker’s liability.

Question 5

A client files a complaint alleging the social worker improperly disclosed confidential information. Which documentation practice BEST supports the social worker?

Accepted Answer

Keep factual, contemporaneous, objective progress notes that reflect services provided and decisions made.

Answer

Destroy old notes that might look unflattering.

Answer

Add personal judgments about the client after the complaint is filed.

Answer

Document only diagnoses to keep the record brief.

Question 6

In a small rural community, a close friend asks the social worker to provide therapy to her 14-year-old daughter. No other local provider is immediately available. What is the BEST course of action?

Accepted Answer

Decline and offer to help locate another qualified provider, because a dual relationship could impair objectivity.

Answer

Accept because rural areas require flexibility and limited options.

Answer

Accept but disclose the friendship only to the daughter.

Answer

Agree to treat the friend instead to avoid the minor dual relationship.

Question 7

Two months after being laid off, a 40-year-old client reports sadness, difficulty sleeping, and trouble concentrating. He continues to attend job interviews, denies anhedonia, and says, “I know I’ll get back on track once I land something.” Which diagnosis is MOST consistent?

Accepted Answer

Adjustment disorder with depressed mood.

Answer

Major depressive disorder, single episode.

Answer

Posttraumatic stress disorder.

Answer

Persistent depressive disorder (dysthymia).

Question 8

A client says, “Sometimes I wish I wouldn’t wake up,” but denies a plan, denies intent, and identifies strong protective factors. What should the social worker do FIRST?

Accepted Answer

Ask directly about plan, intent, means, and access to means.

Answer

Initiate immediate involuntary hospitalization.

Answer

Reassure the client that passive thoughts are normal and move on.

Answer

Contact the client’s spouse without discussing it further.

Question 9

A social worker is completing an assessment of a client with chronic lower-back pain and recent depressive symptoms. A thorough biopsychosocial assessment should include which areas?

Accepted Answer

Biological factors, psychological factors, social/environmental factors, and relevant cultural or spiritual factors.

Answer

Psychological factors only.

Answer

Current medications only.

Answer

Childhood trauma history only.

Question 10

Four weeks after a serious motor vehicle accident, a client reports intrusive memories, nightmares, avoidance of driving, heightened startle response, and sleep disturbance. She has no prior trauma history. Which diagnosis is MOST consistent at this point?

Accepted Answer

Acute stress disorder.

Answer

Posttraumatic stress disorder.

Answer

Adjustment disorder with anxiety.

Answer

Panic disorder.

Question 11

A client is admitted involuntarily for severe self-neglect and psychosis. Before beginning treatment planning, the social worker should FIRST:

Accepted Answer

Review the legal status, civil-commitment criteria, client rights, and immediate safety needs.

Answer

Develop long-term employment goals.

Answer

Begin family therapy to address relationship conflicts.

Answer

Prescribe antipsychotic medication.

Question 12

A client with alcohol use disorder says, “I know I drink too much, but I’m not sure I want to stop.” Which intervention is MOST appropriate as an initial approach?

Accepted Answer

Motivational interviewing to explore and resolve ambivalence.

Answer

A confrontational intervention to break through denial.

Answer

Cognitive-behavioral thought records targeting automatic thoughts.

Answer

Immediate referral to medically managed detoxification.

Question 13

A client calls the social worker’s crisis line stating he has a specific plan to overdose and has the pills in hand. The FIRST priority is to:

Accepted Answer

Ensure immediate safety by contacting emergency services and keeping him on the line while help arrives.

Answer

Schedule an outpatient appointment for later in the week.

Answer

Explore the history of his depression before taking action.

Answer

Ask him to sign a no-suicide contract and end the call.

Question 14

A recently housed client with schizophrenia has not taken antipsychotic medication in six months and has no primary care provider. Which intervention should come FIRST in the treatment plan?

Accepted Answer

Coordinate a medication evaluation and primary care engagement.

Answer

Begin long-term insight-oriented psychotherapy.

Answer

Enroll the client in vocational training.

Answer

Provide housing support only and defer other needs.

Question 15

During a couples session, one partner discloses ongoing physical violence and says, “I’m afraid to go home tonight.” The children are in the waiting room. What should the social worker do FIRST?

Accepted Answer

Assess immediate safety for the victim and children and develop a safety plan, including referrals to domestic-violence services.

Answer

Continue the couples session to work on communication skills.

Answer

Ask the abusive partner to leave the room and continue the session without further safety planning.

Answer

Avoid documenting the disclosure to protect the couple’s privacy.

Question 16

A client with panic disorder reports intense fear of bodily sensations and avoids exercise because it triggers panic. Which modality is BEST suited as a primary intervention?

Accepted Answer

Cognitive-behavioral therapy including psychoeducation, interoceptive exposure, and arousal-management skills.

Answer

Long-term psychodynamic psychotherapy focused on early childhood.

Answer

Supportive counseling without structured skill practice.

Answer

Family systems therapy to address relational boundaries.

Question 17

An initial assessment confirms moderate depression and social isolation. What is the NEXT step in care?

Accepted Answer

Collaboratively develop specific, measurable treatment goals with the client.

Answer

Prescribe an antidepressant medication.

Answer

Terminate services because the symptoms are not severe.

Answer

Refer to another provider without discussing options with the client.

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