Quick Quiz: Ethics Fill-in-the-Blanks IV

Next up, let's take on the Conflicts of Interest section of the NASW Code of Ethics. How well do you know it? Well, let's see. Fill in the blanks!

Remember, this isn't what the ASWB exam looks like. For those, check out practice tests (linked nearby). But this is ASWB exam content. It's material to review again and again. And though you shouldn't expect yourself to be able to answer verbatim what goes in the blanks below, challenge yourself to guess at the gist of what belongs in the emptied spaces.

Ready? Action!

(a) Social workers should be ______________________ conflicts of interest that interfere with the exercise of professional discretion and impartial judgment. Social workers should inform clients when a real or potential conflict of interest arises and __________________________ the issue in a manner that makes the clients' interests primary and protects clients' interests to the greatest extent possible. In some cases, protecting clients' interests may require ______________________________ with proper referral of the client.

(b) Social workers should not take unfair advantage of any professional relationship or exploit others to further their ____________________________ interests.

(c) Social workers should not engage in _____________________________ with clients or former clients in which there is a risk of exploitation or potential harm to the client. In instances when ____________________________ are unavoidable, social workers should take steps to protect clients and are responsible for setting clear, appropriate, and culturally sensitive boundaries.

(d) When social workers provide services to two or more people who have a relationship with each other (for example, couples, family members), social workers should ________________________________ and the nature of social workers' professional obligations to the various individuals who are receiving services.

(e) Social workers should ___________ communication with clients using technology (such as social networking sites, online chat, e-mail, text messages, telephone, and video) for personal or non-work-related purposes.

(f) Social workers should be aware that posting personal information on professional Web sites or other media might cause ___________________________________________ to clients.

(g) Social workers should be aware that personal affiliations may increase the likelihood that clients may discover the social worker’s presence on Web sites, social media, and other forms of technology. Social workers should be aware that involvement in electronic communication with groups based on race, ethnicity, language, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, mental or physical ability, religion, immigration status, and other personal affiliations may affect their ability to work effectively with particular clients.

(h) Social workers should ________ accepting requests from or engaging in personal relationships with clients on social networking sites or other electronic media to prevent boundary confusion, inappropriate dual relationships, or harm to clients.

How's you do? Scroll down for answers...……


























a1) alert to and avoid

a2) take reasonable steps to resolve

a3) termination of the professional relationship

b) personal, religious, political, or business 

c1)  dual or multiple relationships

c2) dual or multiple relationships

d)  clarify with all parties which individuals will be considered clients

e) avoid 

f) boundary confusion, inappropriate dual relationships, or harm

h) avoid