LMSW Practice Test

A visiting Nurse Association social worker finds a Cambodian child with cerebral palsy kept in isolation. The grandfather wants the child removed from the family. What is the first action the social worker should take?

1. Call the Cambodian community agencies and the Buddhist priest.

2. Report the situation to the child protective service agency.

3. Suggest that the mother ask her father to live elsewhere.

4. Try to relate to the family, including the grandfather, to determine more about their values.

The correct answer is: Call the Cambodian community agencies and the Buddhist priest.

In this scenario, the most appropriate first action for the social worker to take is to call the Cambodian community agencies and the Buddhist priest (option A). This option recognizes the importance of cultural competence and collaboration with community resources when working with individuals from diverse backgrounds. By involving community agencies and a religious leader, the social worker can gain valuable insights into the family's cultural beliefs, practices, and value systems that may be influencing the situation. This collaborative approach shows respect for the family's cultural norms and values while also addressing the immediate concerns for the child's well-being. Options B, C, and D are not the most suitable first actions in this situation. Reporting the situation to the child protective service agency (option B) might be necessary at some point but should not be the immediate first step before exploring culturally sensitive interventions. Similarly, suggesting that the mother ask her father to live elsewhere (option C) or trying to relate to the family without involving culturally appropriate resources (option D) may not effectively address the root cause of the child's isolation and the family's concerns.