Social Work Examination Services (SWES) Individual Practice Test

A young woman hospitalized for cardiac issues requests a transfer to another facility. What should the social worker do?

1. Contact the new facility without her consent

2. Inform her that transfers are not possible

3. Obtain client's permission to contact the other social worker

4. Disregard the request as she is currently hospitalized

The correct answer is: Obtain client's permission to contact the other social worker

The correct choice involves obtaining the client's permission to contact the other social worker. This action respects the patient's autonomy and right to make decisions concerning their care and placement. In situations like these, it’s essential for the social worker to engage collaboratively with the client. Securing permission demonstrates respect for her wishes and ensures that her feelings and preferences are prioritized in the decision-making process. By reaching out to the other social worker only after obtaining consent, the social worker ensures that any actions taken align with ethical standards regarding confidentiality and informed consent. Moreover, this approach fosters a trusted relationship between the client and the social worker, which is critical in social work practice, especially in sensitive situations such as health-related transfers. While other options may seem viable, they fall short in terms of respecting the client’s agency. For instance, contacting the new facility without consent circumvents the patient's right to control her personal information. Simply informing her that transfers are not possible does not engage with her request or provide her with the appropriate information and options available for her care. Disregarding her request entirely undermines her expressed needs and fails to consider her situation holistically. Thus, obtaining the client's permission is both ethical and imperative for effective social work practice in this context.