Another free (free? yes, free!) practice question to help get your ready to pass the ASWB exam. Create an account at SWTP to get our (also free!) study guide and get started on full-length practice tests. Here's that question:
A social worker is conducting a home visit with an elderly client who lives alone. The social worker notices that the client has bruises on her arms and legs that look like fingerprints. The client says that she fell down the stairs a few days ago. The social worker suspects that the client may be a victim of elder abuse by her son who visits her regularly. What is the most appropriate next step for the social worker to take?
A) Report the suspected abuse to Adult Protective Services (APS).
B) Confront the son about his abusive behavior and warn him of legal consequences.
C) Ask the client if she wants to move to a safer place such as a shelter or a nursing home.
D) Educate the client about her rights and options regarding elder abuse.
What do you think?
Some helpful info: Elder abuse is any form of mistreatment or harm that causes injury or distress to an older person by someone who has a relationship with them. It can include physical abuse (such as hitting or restraining), emotional abuse (such as threatening or isolating), financial abuse (such as stealing or exploiting), sexual abuse (such as forcing or coercing), or neglect (such as failing to provide basic needs). Social workers have a legal and ethical obligation to report suspected cases of elder abuse to APS or other authorities in accordance with state laws and agency policies. Reporting elder abuse can help protect the client from further harm and provide them with appropriate services and support.
Does this meet the standard for reporting? Let's look at the other options:
Answer B) Confront… is incorrect because it may put both the client and the social worker at risk of retaliation or violence from the son. It may also violate confidentiality and professional boundaries.
Answer C) Nursing home… is incorrect because it may imply that the client is responsible for ending the abuse or that she has no other alternatives than leaving her home. It may also disregard the client's wishes and preferences regarding her living situation.
Answer D) Educate… is incorrect because it may not be sufficient or timely enough to address the immediate risk of harm facing the client.
Which means the correct answer is A) Report to APS.
Now that you've done this one question, you're that much more ready to pass the social work licensing exam. Just think how prepared you'll be by SWTP's 900+ questions.
Happy studying and good luck on the exam!
Right now, get SWTP's online practice exams at a reduced price. Just $39. Get additional savings when buying more than one exam at a time-- less than $30 per exam!
Keep going till you pass. Extensions are free.
To receive our free study guide and get started!