Quick Quiz: Code of Ethics Fill-in-the-Blank

Here are the first four paragraphs of the Privacy and Confidentiality section of the NASW Code of Ethics, but with some crucial parts excised. Your task: Fill in the blanks. Don't expect to get exact phrasing--only those with photographic memories would come close. Just aim for the basic gist of each missing phrase.

(a) Social workers should respect clients' right to privacy. Social workers should not solicit private information from or about clients except for ________________________. Once private information is shared, standards of confidentiality apply.

(b) Social workers may disclose confidential information when appropriate with valid consent from ____________________________________________________________.

(c) Social workers should protect the confidentiality of all information obtained in the course of professional service, except for compelling professional reasons. The general expectation that social workers will keep information confidential does not apply when disclosure is necessary to prevent _______________________________________. In all instances, social workers should disclose the _______ amount of confidential information necessary to achieve the desired purpose; only information that is directly relevant to the purpose for which the disclosure is made should be revealed.

(d) Social workers should inform clients, to the extent possible, about the disclosure of confidential information and the potential consequences, when feasible _________ [time frame] the disclosure is made. This applies whether social workers disclose confidential information on the basis of a legal requirement or client consent.

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Will this be on the exam? The material, yes. But not in this form. Expect vignette questions that draw on crucial areas throughout the NASW Code of Ethics.




















a) compelling professional reasons

b) a client or a person legally authorized to consent on behalf of a client

c1) serious, foreseeable, and imminent harm to a client or others

c2) least

d) before