Social Work Ethics and Professionalism: A Comprehensive Guide for Students

Question 1

In social work ethics, which principle prioritizes respecting individuals' autonomy and self-determination?

Accepted Answer

Autonomy

Answer

Confidentiality

Answer

Non-maleficence

Answer

Beneficence

Question 2

In social work, the ethical principle of 'respect for persons' requires practitioners to:

Accepted Answer

Recognize and value the inherent rights, dignity, and worth of all individuals.

Answer

Only offer services to those who meet specific criteria.

Answer

Impose their personal values on clients.

Answer

Prioritize the organization's interests over clients' well-being.

Question 3

Which ethical principle in social work prioritizes respecting individuals' right to make their own decisions, even if those choices may not be in their best interests?

Accepted Answer

Autonomy

Answer

Beneficence

Answer

Justice

Answer

Non-maleficence

Question 4

Which of the following is NOT a fundamental ethical principle in social work?

Accepted Answer

Effectiveness

Answer

Respect for individuals

Answer

Confidentiality

Answer

Self-determination

Question 5

Which ethical principle requires social workers to act in the best interests of their clients and avoid causing harm?

Accepted Answer

Beneficence

Answer

Autonomy

Answer

Justice

Answer

Confidentiality

Question 6

Which ethical principle prioritizes respecting clients' autonomy and empowering them to make choices about their own lives?

Accepted Answer

Self-determination

Answer

Beneficence

Answer

Non-maleficence

Answer

Justice

Question 7

Which of the following is NOT a core ethical principle of social work, as outlined by the International Federation of Social Workers?

Accepted Answer

Excellence

Answer

Respect for human dignity and worth

Answer

Social justice

Answer

Confidentiality

Question 8

Which ethical principle emphasizes the right of individuals to make their own decisions in social work practice?

Accepted Answer

Autonomy

Answer

Confidentiality

Answer

Paternalism

Answer

Beneficence

Question 9

Which of the following is NOT a core ethical principle that guides social work practice?

Accepted Answer

Objectivity

Answer

Respect for Individuality

Answer

Confidentiality

Answer

Self-Determination

Question 10

According to the General Social Care Council (GSCC), which of the following is NOT a core ethical principle in social work practice?

Accepted Answer

Objectivity

Answer

Respect for persons

Answer

Confidentiality

Answer

Non-maleficence

Question 11

Which of the following is NOT an ethical principle that should guide social work practice?

Accepted Answer

Self-interest

Answer

Service

Answer

Confidentiality

Answer

Social justice

Question 12

Which of the following is NOT a core ethical principle in social work?

Accepted Answer

Self-interest

Answer

Respect for human dignity

Answer

Confidentiality

Answer

Social justice

Question 13

Which ethical principle emphasizes valuing the inherent worth and uniqueness of every individual, irrespective of their situation or attributes?

Accepted Answer

Respect for Persons

Answer

Social Justice

Answer

Professionalism

Answer

Confidentiality

Question 14

Which ethical principle in social work emphasizes respecting individuals' choices regarding their lives and well-being?

Accepted Answer

Respect for Autonomy

Answer

Beneficence

Answer

Non-maleficence

Answer

Confidentiality

Question 15

In social work ethics, which principle emphasizes the utmost importance of protecting and promoting the client's well-being?

Accepted Answer

Beneficence

Answer

Autonomy

Question 16

In social work ethics, which action would violate the principle of trust?

Accepted Answer

Sharing client information with their family without permission

Accepted Answer

Using client information for personal benefit

Answer

Discussing a client's case with colleagues during supervision

Question 17

Which of the following is NOT a fundamental ethical principle in social work?

Accepted Answer

Self-interest

Answer

Respect for individuals

Answer

Confidentiality

Answer

Social justice

Question 18

Which principle of social work emphasizes respecting clients' inherent value and autonomy, allowing them to make their own choices?

Accepted Answer

Respect for Persons

Answer

Social Justice

Answer

Beneficence

Answer

Confidentiality

Question 19

In social work, which ethical principle emphasizes respecting an individual's right to make their own choices and decisions?

Accepted Answer

Autonomy

Answer

Non-maleficence

Answer

Beneficence

Question 20

Which of the following is NOT an ethical principle that guides social work practice?

Accepted Answer

Self-interest

Answer

Respect for persons

Answer

Social justice

Question 21

In social work practice, which action demonstrates a social worker's commitment to promoting social justice?

Accepted Answer

Advocating for policies that eliminate barriers and promote equity

Answer

Providing direct services to individuals without addressing systemic factors

Answer

Remaining neutral on social justice issues to avoid bias

Answer

Focusing solely on casework support without engaging in community advocacy

Question 22

Which ethical principle in social work emphasizes fair and equal service provision?

Accepted Answer

Social justice

Answer

Beneficence

Answer

Autonomy

Answer

Non-maleficence

Question 23

In social work supervision, the supervisor's ethical duty towards the supervisee's ethical growth is to:

Accepted Answer

Foster a supportive environment for the supervisee to explore ethical dilemmas and seek guidance.

Answer

Offer constructive feedback on the supervisee's ethical conduct.

Answer

Enforce the supervisee's strict adherence to ethical guidelines.

Answer

Report any ethical concerns about the supervisee to the appropriate authorities.

Question 24

Which action exemplifies a social worker's commitment to upholding professional boundaries and ethical standards?

Accepted Answer

Setting clear boundaries with clients, maintaining appropriate physical and emotional distance during interactions

Answer

Engaging in social activities with clients beyond professional settings

Question 25

Which ethical principle requires social workers to prioritize the well-being and best interests of their clients?

Accepted Answer

Beneficence

Answer

Non-maleficence

Answer

Autonomy

Answer

Justice

Question 26

Which of the following is NOT a fundamental ethical principle in social work?

Accepted Answer

Self-serving interests

Answer

Respect for individuals

Answer

Confidentiality

Question 27

Which ethical principle is the foundation of informed consent in social work?

Accepted Answer

Respect for client autonomy

Answer

Confidentiality

Answer

Social justice

Answer

Non-maleficence

Question 28

In social work, which ethical principle requires social workers to treat clients fairly and without bias, regardless of their individual traits or situations?

Accepted Answer

Impartiality

Answer

Social justice

Answer

Self-determination

Answer

Confidentiality

Question 29

Which ethical principle emphasizes the importance of self-reflection for making sound ethical decisions in social work?

Accepted Answer

Self-Awareness

Answer

Non-Maleficence

Answer

Respect for Persons

Question 30

Which of the following practices deviates from the core ethical principles of social work?

Accepted Answer

Acting in the best interests of the client without their consent

Answer

Respecting client autonomy

Answer

Promoting client well-being

Answer

Ensuring fairness and equity in service provision

Question 31

Which ethical principle in social work prioritizes protecting client privacy and limits information sharing to specific legal or ethical situations?

Accepted Answer

Confidentiality

Answer

Integrity

Answer

Justice

Answer

Autonomy

Question 32

Which ethical principle should social workers avoid when working with vulnerable individuals?

Accepted Answer

Tolerance of discrimination

Answer

Respect for client autonomy

Answer

Non-maleficence

Answer

Justice and fairness

Question 33

In social work practice, which action best demonstrates the principle of professionalism?

Accepted Answer

Maintaining clear boundaries between personal and professional life, ensuring personal issues do not interfere with client interactions

Answer

Engaging in personal conversations with clients outside of professional settings

Answer

Consistently arriving late for scheduled client appointments

Question 34

In social work practice, what is the primary responsibility of a social worker regarding client confidentiality?

Accepted Answer

Ensuring that client information is stored securely and only accessible to authorized personnel.

Answer

Disclosing client information to other professionals without explicit consent, if it is deemed to be in the client's best interest.

Answer

Maintaining confidentiality even if a client explicitly requests the release of their information to a third party.

Answer

Disclosing client information to family members or friends, as they are often the most concerned about the client's well-being.

Question 35

In social work, what is the primary reason for obtaining informed consent?

Accepted Answer

To respect clients' autonomy by ensuring they have the knowledge and capacity to make informed decisions about their care.

Answer

To reduce legal risks for social workers in case of negative client outcomes.

Answer

To collect detailed client information to provide optimal services.

Question 36

In social work practice, the ethical principle of informed consent requires social workers to:

Accepted Answer

Give clients clear information about their care options, including possible risks and benefits, to help them make informed decisions.

Answer

Get clients' consent before sharing confidential information with other professionals.

Question 37

In social work, what is the main purpose of establishing and maintaining professional boundaries?

Accepted Answer

To safeguard clients from harm, exploitation, and potential conflicts of interest.

Answer

To assert authority and control over clients.

Answer

To foster personal connections with clients, building trust and rapport.

Answer

To establish a sense of superiority and distance between social workers and clients.

Question 38

In social work practice, which ethical principles should be paramount when interacting with vulnerable populations?

Accepted Answer

Respect for autonomy, dignity, and empowerment

Answer

Imposing personal values and beliefs on the client

Answer

Treating vulnerable individuals with condescension or pity

Answer

Maintaining control and authority over the client's life

Question 39

In social work ethics, which principle places utmost importance on protecting client privacy and upholding their confidentiality?

Accepted Answer

Confidentiality

Answer

Justice

Answer

Integrity

Question 40

In social work practice, confidentiality is breached when a social worker:

Accepted Answer

Discloses a client's personal information to a family member without the client's consent.

Answer

Shares client information with another social worker to coordinate services.

Answer

Discusses a client's case during a supervision session.

Answer

Includes a client's name and contact information in a report that is shared with other professionals involved in the client's care.

Question 41

In social work, maintaining professional boundaries is crucial for ethical conduct and client well-being. Which action demonstrates this principle?

Accepted Answer

Separating personal and professional interactions with clients

Answer

Sharing personal experiences with clients

Answer

Receiving valuable gifts from clients

Answer

Disclosing client information without consent

Question 42

Which fundamental principle of social work focuses on promoting equity and addressing disparities in society?

Accepted Answer

Social justice through advocacy and actions.

Answer

Confidentiality for client information protection.

Answer

Informed consent before interventions or services.**

Question 43

Which ethical principle is NOT a core value in social work?

Accepted Answer

Paternalism

Answer

Beneficence

Answer

Autonomy

Answer

Non-maleficence

Question 44

In social work practice, which action best demonstrates the principle of social justice?

Accepted Answer

Advocating for policies that tackle systemic inequalities

Answer

Offering resources to individuals in need, regardless of their background

Answer

Remaining neutral and avoiding involvement in social or political debates

Answer

Prioritizing the well-being of individual clients without considering broader social factors

Question 45

As per the British Association of Social Workers (BASW), which of these is NOT a core ethical principle guiding social work practice?

Accepted Answer

Maintaining strict impartiality and objectivity

Answer

Respecting the inherent dignity and worth of every individual

Answer

Preserving confidentiality and privacy

Answer

Promoting clients' autonomy and self-determination

Question 46

Which ethical principle in social work emphasizes the client's right to make decisions that align with their own interests, even if those choices differ from the social worker's judgment?

Accepted Answer

Self-determination

Answer

Integrity

Answer

Confidentiality

Question 47

In social work, which ethical principle emphasizes using professional knowledge and expertise to promote well-being and address social inequalities?

Accepted Answer

Social justice

Answer

Informed consent

Answer

Confidentiality

Answer

Self-determination

Question 48

In social work practice, obtaining informed consent fundamentally involves:

Accepted Answer

Providing clients with comprehensive information to enable them to make voluntary and informed decisions regarding their treatment or research participation.

Answer

Merely obtaining clients' verbal or written agreement to proceed with a course of action.

Answer

Ensuring that clients fully comprehend the potential risks and benefits associated with their decisions.

Answer

Protecting social workers from legal repercussions.

Question 49

In social work practice, which scenario exemplifies the ethical principle of autonomy?

Accepted Answer

Engaging clients in decision-making, empowering them to set and pursue their own goals.

Answer

Making decisions for clients lacking capacity, prioritizing their best interests and professional judgment.

Answer

Strictly following agency policies in all client interactions.

Answer

Advocating for clients' rights to safeguard their well-being.

Question 50

In social work practice, when obtaining informed consent from a client, it is essential to ensure that:

Accepted Answer

The client has received clear and complete information about the proposed intervention or service.

Answer

The client has verbally agreed to the proposed course of action.

Answer

The client has signed a consent form without fully understanding its contents.

Answer

The client's consent is only required if they are deemed competent.

Question 51

How does the ethical principle of social justice guide social workers' advocacy for marginalized and vulnerable populations?

Accepted Answer

Social justice requires social workers to challenge discriminatory practices that perpetuate inequality.

Answer

Social justice requires social workers to prioritize the needs of the community over the needs of individuals.

Answer

Social justice prohibits social workers from engaging in political activism.

Answer

Social justice mandates social workers to always follow the instructions of their supervisors, even if they believe it would be harmful to clients.

Question 52

In interdisciplinary teams, how can social workers facilitate ethical decision-making, given that team members may have diverse ethical viewpoints and values?

Accepted Answer

Establish clear ethical guidelines and ensure team members adhere to them.

Answer

Rely solely on personal ethical beliefs, disregarding others' perspectives.

Answer

Avoid discussing ethical issues to maintain harmony and prevent conflict.

Question 53

Which ethical principle mandates respect for individuals' right to make their own decisions?

Accepted Answer

Respect for autonomy

Answer

Confidentiality

Answer

Non-maleficence

Answer

Justice

Question 54

Which action is considered an essential component of social worker self-care?

Accepted Answer

Recognizing and managing personal emotions and biases

Answer

Ignoring personal feelings and emotions

Answer

Working excessive hours to meet client needs

Answer

Isolating oneself from colleagues and support systems

Question 55

When a social worker is obligated to report suspected child abuse, what ethical conflict arises?

Accepted Answer

Confidentiality versus duty to protect

Answer

Autonomy versus beneficence

Answer

Justice versus compassion

Answer

Non-maleficence versus beneficence

Question 56

What is the primary goal of a social worker's code of ethics?

Accepted Answer

To provide clear guidelines for ethical decision-making

Answer

To protect social workers from legal liability

Answer

To ensure public trust in the profession

Answer

To promote social justice and human rights

Question 57

Which ethical principle requires social workers to prioritize their clients' well-being?

Accepted Answer

Beneficence

Answer

Non-maleficence

Answer

Justice

Answer

Respect for autonomy

Question 58

What is the appropriate action for a social worker who becomes aware of allegations of unethical conduct by a colleague?

Accepted Answer

Reporting the allegations to a supervisor or relevant authority

Answer

Confronting the colleague directly

Answer

Ignoring the allegations

Answer

Seeking legal advice

Question 59

In social work, how can we ethically balance protecting vulnerable clients with respecting their privacy and confidentiality?

Accepted Answer

Obtain informed consent before sharing any information

Answer

Share confidential information with colleagues without the client's knowledge

Answer

Keep information from clients that could potentially harm them

Answer

Ignore the client's request for confidentiality if it conflicts with the social worker's judgment

Question 60

Which of the following is NOT a core ethical principle guiding social work practice, according to the British Association of Social Workers (BASW)?

Accepted Answer

Professionalism

Answer

Autonomy

Answer

Beneficence

Question 61

Which of the following is NOT a fundamental ethical principle that guides social work practice?

Accepted Answer

Self-interest

Answer

Beneficence

Answer

Justice

Answer

Autonomy

Question 62

Within the ethical principle of 'justice' in social work, which aspect is considered essential?

Accepted Answer

Advocating for the rights of vulnerable and marginalized populations

Answer

Prioritizing the individual client's interests above all others

Answer

Maintaining confidentiality of client information without exception

Answer

Establishing clear and appropriate professional boundaries with clients

Question 63

For social workers, self-care primarily involves:

Accepted Answer

Prioritizing personal well-being and seeking support when necessary.

Answer

Enforcing a complete separation between personal and professional life.

Answer

Working extended hours to meet client needs.

Answer

Withholding all personal disclosures from clients.

Question 64

Which professional boundary is crucial for social workers to maintain?

Accepted Answer

Protecting client confidentiality.

Answer

Engaging in romantic relationships with clients.

Answer

Accepting gifts from clients.

Answer

Sharing personal information with clients.