Study Group #4

A second-grade student has frequent absences, an unkempt appearance, and visible bruises. What should the school social worker do next?

A crisis social worker receives a phone call of a man walking through a local park naked. He was also seen shouting incoherently outside his home, appearing disheveled and disoriented. Neighbors, who know him as a hard-working, successful individual, are concerned about his sudden behavior change. Given the circumstances, what should the social worker do next?

A social worker is working with a recently retired woman who reports increasing irritability, poor frustration tolerance, insomnia, and a sense of isolation. She had anticipated enjoying retirement but is now disengaged from activities she once found fulfilling. Given these concerns, what should the social worker prioritize first in the assessment?

A client has been in therapy for two years for anxiety and depression and is now symptom-free, having discontinued medication. Recently, during sessions, the client demonstrates frequent laughter and a visible sense of enjoyment. Which of the following actions should the social worker prioritize in the next step?

During an initial interview with a recent victim of domestic violence, the social worker observes a rapid emotional shift as the client recalls traumatic childhood abuse. The client becomes severely distressed, then dissociates into a trancelike state, showing signs of responding to visual and auditory stimuli that others cannot perceive. Given these observations, what is the most likely psychological explanation for the client’s response?

A social worker attends a conference where the speaker discusses strategies for prophylactic therapy in a preschool setting. Which of the following interventions are most likely to be highlighted in the speaker’s presentation?

A social worker on a multidisciplinary team is working with a young adult hospitalized following a suicide attempt. The client expresses frustration about the number of staff aware of their situation and feels exhausted from repeatedly answering the same questions. The client reports having had a temper outburst due to this frustration. After acknowledging the client’s feelings, what should the social worker do next?

A 15-year-old student has been referred to a social worker for assessment due to concerns raised by her parents and teachers. Over the past three months, the student, who has previously been a high-achieving individual, has been failing three of her classes. She reports feeling worthless and has lost interest in activities she once enjoyed. Her teachers observe that she is increasingly inattentive and appears to have experienced weight loss. What should the social worker prioritize in the initial assessment?

A therapist at a family agency is working with a couple and their 14-year-old daughter, who has been experiencing significant difficulties in both social interactions and academic performance. As the mother discusses the challenges the teenager is facing, the girl appears visibly anxious and overwhelmed. Given the dynamics of the session, what is the social worker’s MOST appropriate initial response?

A client was involved in a severe automobile accident that nearly claimed their life, resulting in two months of intensive care followed by three months of physical rehabilitation. What would be the most effective intervention strategy?

During a biopsychosocial assessment at an outpatient clinic, a social worker notices that the client frequently deviates from the topic at hand, wandering into unrelated tangents, and is challenging to refocus on the original questions. What should the social worker prioritize as the FIRST step in this situation?

A social worker has a client who frequently calls between scheduled sessions to request appointment changes. The social worker begins to feel frustrated by the repeated disruptions. What should the social worker do first?

During a therapy session, a client diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder shares that they have become actively involved in a political movement advocating for stricter local curfews for teenagers. The social worker personally disagrees with this stance. What should the social worker do