Case management is a core function in social work practice that involves coordinating services and resources to meet client needs. This content area makes up approximately 12-15% of the ASWB Associate exam, focusing on service planning, coordination, referrals, and resource utilization.
Topics Covered in Case Management
The ASWB Associate exam tests various aspects of case management knowledge, including:
- Service Planning and Coordination
- Referral Processes
- Resource Identification and Utilization
- Client Advocacy
- Documentation and Record-Keeping
- Interdisciplinary Collaboration
- Service Monitoring and Evaluation
Study Tips for Case Management Content
To effectively prepare for case management questions:
- Learn key case management models – Understand strengths-based, clinical, and intensive case management approaches
- Master referral processes – Know how to make effective referrals and ensure service continuity
- Understand resource navigation – Learn how to identify and connect clients with appropriate community resources
- Review documentation standards – Study proper case management documentation methods
- Practice interdisciplinary collaboration – Understand how to work effectively with other service providers
Practice Test Instructions
- This practice test contains 30 multiple-choice questions
- Each question has one correct answer
- Read each question carefully before selecting your answer
- After completing the test, review the explanations for each correct answer
Case Management Practice Questions
Question 1
A social worker is developing a service plan with a client experiencing homelessness. Which of the following should be the FIRST priority in the plan?
A) Obtaining employment
B) Addressing immediate shelter needs
C) Reconnecting with family members
D) Enrolling in educational programs
Correct Answer: B) Addressing immediate shelter needs
Explanation: According to Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, addressing immediate safety and physiological needs (shelter) should be the first priority, providing a foundation from which other needs can then be addressed.
Question 2
A social worker has made a referral for a client to receive mental health services. Which of the following is the MOST important next step in the case management process?
A) Close the client’s case since the referral has been made
B) Follow up with the client to ensure they connected with the referred service
C) Request that the client seek additional services elsewhere
D) Wait for the mental health provider to contact the social worker
Correct Answer: B) Follow up with the client to ensure they connected with the referred service
Explanation: Following up after making a referral is critical to ensure service continuity, verify connection with the referred service, and address any barriers that may have prevented access.
Question 3
A client needs multiple services including housing assistance, mental health treatment, and job training. Which case management approach would be MOST effective?
A) Refer the client to each service separately and let them coordinate their own care
B) Provide all services directly through the social worker’s agency
C) Use an integrated approach with coordination among service providers
D) Focus on one service need at a time, starting with job training
Correct Answer: C) Use an integrated approach with coordination among service providers
Explanation: An integrated approach with coordination among different service providers ensures comprehensive care, prevents duplication, facilitates communication between providers, and reduces burden on the client.
Question 4
A social worker is documenting a case management session. Which of the following would be MOST important to include in the documentation?
A) The social worker’s personal opinions about the client’s choices
B) Detailed information about the client’s distant past
C) Current interventions, client progress, and action plans
D) Speculations about the client’s underlying motivations
Correct Answer: C) Current interventions, client progress, and action plans
Explanation: Effective case management documentation should focus on current interventions implemented, client progress toward goals, and specific action plans for moving forward—essential information for service continuity and accountability.
Question 5
A client tells a social worker that they have not been taking their prescribed psychiatric medication for two weeks. The MOST appropriate initial response would be to:
A) Contact the client’s psychiatrist immediately without the client’s knowledge
B) Explore the client’s reasons for not taking the medication and any resulting symptoms
C) Inform the client they must resume taking medication or services will be terminated
D) Tell the client they are making a dangerous decision and insist they resume medication
Correct Answer: B) Explore the client’s reasons for not taking the medication and any resulting symptoms
Explanation: Exploring the client’s reasons for medication non-adherence and assessing resulting symptoms gathers important information about barriers to adherence and helps assess current risk levels while respecting client autonomy.
Question 6
Which of the following is a key component of effective case management for older adults?
A) Making all decisions on behalf of the client
B) Limiting the number of service providers to avoid confusion
C) Conducting comprehensive assessments of needs across multiple domains
D) Focusing exclusively on medical needs
Correct Answer: C) Conducting comprehensive assessments of needs across multiple domains
Explanation: Effective geriatric case management requires comprehensive assessment across domains including physical health, mental health, functional abilities, social support, financial resources, and environmental factors to address complex, interrelated needs.
Question 7
A client with multiple chronic health conditions is having difficulty managing their various medical appointments and treatments. Which case management intervention would be MOST helpful?
A) Telling the client to be more organized
B) Creating a coordinated care plan and helping the client develop a system for tracking appointments
C) Suggesting the client drop some of their medical providers
D) Taking over complete management of the client’s healthcare
Correct Answer: B) Creating a coordinated care plan and helping the client develop a system for tracking appointments
Explanation: This intervention provides practical assistance while supporting client self-management skills, balancing needed support with promoting independence and self-efficacy in managing complex healthcare needs.
Question 8
When developing a service plan, which of the following approaches is MOST consistent with client-centered case management?
A) The social worker independently determines what services the client needs
B) The social worker and client collaborate to identify goals and needed services
C) The social worker follows agency protocols regardless of client preferences
D) The social worker selects services based on what has worked for other clients
Correct Answer: B) The social worker and client collaborate to identify goals and needed services
Explanation: Client-centered case management involves active collaboration between social worker and client to identify goals and service needs, respecting client autonomy while benefiting from professional knowledge about available resources.
Question 9
A social worker is helping a client apply for benefits and services. Which of the following actions demonstrates effective advocacy?
A) Completing all paperwork for the client without their involvement
B) Identifying barriers to access and helping the client navigate complex systems
C) Telling the client they should be grateful for any services they receive
D) Encouraging the client to exaggerate their needs to ensure approval
Correct Answer: B) Identifying barriers to access and helping the client navigate complex systems
Explanation: Effective advocacy involves helping clients overcome obstacles to accessing needed services, which may include identifying barriers and helping navigate complex systems while maintaining ethical standards.
Question 10
A social worker is coordinating services for a client with intellectual disability. Which of the following would be the MOST appropriate approach?
A) Making all decisions for the client without consultation
B) Communicating only with the client’s family members
C) Using simple, clear language and confirming the client’s understanding
D) Assuming the client cannot participate in service planning
Correct Answer: C) Using simple, clear language and confirming the client’s understanding
Explanation: Accessible communication using clear, simple language and confirming understanding promotes client participation in their own service planning, respecting their autonomy while adapting to their communication needs.
Question 11
Which of the following is a primary function of case management in social work practice?
A) Providing in-depth psychotherapy
B) Linking clients to resources and coordinating service delivery
C) Diagnosing mental health disorders
D) Enforcing compliance with treatment
Correct Answer: B) Linking clients to resources and coordinating service delivery
Explanation: The core function of case management is connecting clients with needed resources and coordinating service delivery across providers and systems to ensure comprehensive, efficient care.
Question 12
A client is being discharged from inpatient psychiatric treatment. Which of the following is the MOST important component of discharge planning?
A) Scheduling a follow-up appointment with the client’s previous therapist
B) Developing a comprehensive aftercare plan that addresses treatment, housing, and support needs
C) Providing the client with written information about their diagnosis
D) Ensuring the client has a two-day supply of medication
Correct Answer: B) Developing a comprehensive aftercare plan that addresses treatment, housing, and support needs
Explanation: Effective discharge planning requires a comprehensive aftercare plan addressing multiple domains (treatment continuity, medication management, housing, social support, etc.) to ensure successful transition and prevent readmission.
Question 13
A social worker is helping a client locate affordable housing. Which of the following resources would be MOST helpful?
A) Private market-rate apartment listings
B) Public housing authority, Section 8 programs, and subsidized housing options
C) Real estate websites for home purchases
D) Short-term hotel accommodations
Correct Answer: B) Public housing authority, Section 8 programs, and subsidized housing options
Explanation: For clients needing affordable housing, public housing authorities, Section 8 voucher programs, and other subsidized housing options provide the most affordable long-term housing solutions with income-based rent structures.
Question 14
A social worker discovers that a client is receiving duplicate services from multiple agencies. The MOST appropriate action would be to:
A) Immediately terminate services to avoid duplication
B) Report the client for fraud
C) Coordinate with the other service providers to ensure integrated care
D) Tell the client they must choose only one agency
Correct Answer: C) Coordinate with the other service providers to ensure integrated care
Explanation: Coordinating with other providers ensures integrated care that avoids unnecessary duplication while maintaining needed services, focusing on client benefit rather than punitive responses.
Question 15
A case manager is working with a family at risk of eviction. Which of the following interventions would be the MOST important initial step?
A) Developing a budget and financial management plan
B) Determining the immediate threat to housing stability and identifying emergency resources
C) Exploring family dynamics that contributed to financial problems
D) Recommending the family relocate to less expensive housing
Correct Answer: B) Determining the immediate threat to housing stability and identifying emergency resources
Explanation: Addressing the immediate housing crisis through emergency assistance (rental assistance, eviction prevention programs) is the priority before addressing longer-term issues like financial management or family dynamics.
Question 16
Which of the following would be the MOST important to include in a case management service plan?
A) Detailed history of the client’s past treatment
B) The social worker’s clinical impressions
C) Specific, measurable goals and action steps
D) Theoretical orientation of the case manager
Correct Answer: C) Specific, measurable goals and action steps
Explanation: Effective service plans include specific, measurable goals and concrete action steps that clarify what needs to be accomplished, by whom, and when, providing clear direction for intervention.
Question 17
A client with limited English proficiency needs assistance accessing healthcare services. The MOST appropriate case management approach would be to:
A) Suggest the client bring a family member to translate
B) Arrange for professional interpretation services
C) Use basic English and gestures to communicate
D) Refer the client to services within their own cultural community only
Correct Answer: B) Arrange for professional interpretation services
Explanation: Professional interpretation services ensure accurate communication while maintaining confidentiality and professional boundaries, avoiding the potential complications of family translation and ensuring equal access to services.
Question 18
Which of the following is the MOST important factor to consider when making a referral for a client?
A) The agency’s proximity to the social worker’s office
B) The client’s needs, preferences, and barriers to accessing the service
C) The social worker’s familiarity with the agency director
D) The availability of public transportation to the agency
Correct Answer: B) The client’s needs, preferences, and barriers to accessing the service
Explanation: Effective referrals prioritize the client’s specific needs, preferences (including cultural considerations), and potential barriers (transportation, hours, language, etc.) to maximize the likelihood of successful service connection.
Question 19
A social worker is developing a case management plan for a client recently diagnosed with a chronic illness. Which of the following goals would be MOST appropriate to include initially?
A) The client will accept their diagnosis
B) The client will understand their treatment options and make informed decisions
C) The client will never require hospitalization
D) The client will maintain perfect medication adherence
Correct Answer: B) The client will understand their treatment options and make informed decisions
Explanation: This goal focuses on education and informed decision-making, which empowers the client and builds foundation for self-management, while remaining realistic and respecting the client’s autonomy in their healthcare.
Question 20
A client with serious mental illness has had multiple psychiatric hospitalizations. Which case management model would be MOST appropriate for this client?
A) Brief case management
B) Intensive case management
C) Broker model
D) Peer support model
Correct Answer: B) Intensive case management
Explanation: Intensive case management provides comprehensive, frequent, and long-term support for clients with serious mental illness and complex needs, often involving lower caseloads and higher service intensity than other models.
Question 21
A social worker is helping a client transition from inpatient substance abuse treatment to the community. Which of the following would be MOST important to include in the discharge plan?
A) Contact information for the treatment center only
B) A detailed relapse prevention plan, outpatient treatment appointments, and recovery support resources
C) Instructions to avoid all former friends
D) A recommendation to find employment immediately
Correct Answer: B) A detailed relapse prevention plan, outpatient treatment appointments, and recovery support resources
Explanation: A comprehensive discharge plan includes continued treatment connections, specific relapse prevention strategies, and community recovery supports (meetings, sponsors, etc.) to support ongoing recovery following intensive treatment.
Question 22
A case manager is working with an undocumented immigrant client who needs healthcare services. The MOST appropriate action would be to:
A) Report the client’s immigration status to authorities
B) Refuse services due to immigration status
C) Connect the client with community health centers and services that serve all residents regardless of immigration status
D) Advise the client to use someone else’s identification to access services
Correct Answer: C) Connect the client with community health centers and services that serve all residents regardless of immigration status
Explanation: Many community health centers and certain programs provide services regardless of immigration status, allowing ethical, legal connection to needed healthcare while respecting confidentiality and maintaining trust.
Question 23
Which of the following is MOST important for a case manager to do when a client misses multiple appointments?
A) Close the case immediately
B) Bill the client for missed appointments
C) Reach out to the client to identify and address barriers to engagement
D) Report the client’s non-compliance to their family
Correct Answer: C) Reach out to the client to identify and address barriers to engagement
Explanation: Proactively contacting clients who miss appointments allows identification of potential barriers (transportation, scheduling conflicts, motivation, etc.) and problem-solving to improve engagement rather than simply terminating services.
Question 24
A case manager is working with a client who has complex medical needs requiring multiple specialists. The MOST effective approach for care coordination would be to:
A) Tell the client to ask each specialist about the others’ treatment recommendations
B) Facilitate communication among all healthcare providers and maintain comprehensive records
C) Suggest the client see fewer specialists
D) Recommend the client select one doctor and follow only their advice
Correct Answer: B) Facilitate communication among all healthcare providers and maintain comprehensive records
Explanation: Effective coordination for complex medical needs involves facilitating communication between providers, ensuring information sharing, and maintaining comprehensive records to prevent fragmented or contradictory care.
Question 25
A social worker is helping a client apply for disability benefits that have been previously denied. Which approach would be MOST effective?
A) Suggesting the client give up and look for alternative resources
B) Helping the client understand the appeals process and gather additional documentation
C) Advising the client to exaggerate their symptoms on the application
D) Recommending the client hire an attorney before taking any other steps
Correct Answer: B) Helping the client understand the appeals process and gather additional documentation
Explanation: Many disability applications are initially denied but approved on appeal. Understanding the appeals process and gathering stronger documentation (medical records, functional assessments, etc.) increases chances of approval.
Question 26
When closing a case, which of the following is the MOST important step?
A) Ensuring the client has necessary resources and support for continued stability
B) Completing paperwork as quickly as possible
C) Transferring the client to a new case manager regardless of need
D) Telling the client they cannot return for services
Correct Answer: A) Ensuring the client has necessary resources and support for continued stability
Explanation: Proper case closure involves ensuring clients have supports and resources needed for continued stability, including connections to ongoing services if needed and clear procedures for returning if circumstances change.
Question 27
A client with developmental disabilities needs assistance with activities of daily living. Which of the following would be the MOST appropriate resource to include in their service plan?
A) Psychiatric hospitalization
B) Home and community-based waiver services
C) Substance abuse treatment
D) Parenting classes
Correct Answer: B) Home and community-based waiver services
Explanation: Home and community-based waiver services provide support for individuals with developmental disabilities to live in community settings, including assistance with daily living activities, skill development, and community integration.
Question 28
A social worker is helping a client who has lost their job find employment resources. Which of the following would be MOST helpful initially?
A) Suggesting the client enroll in graduate school
B) Connecting the client with vocational rehabilitation, job training programs, and unemployment benefits
C) Telling the client to check online job boards only
D) Recommending the client start their own business
Correct Answer: B) Connecting the client with vocational rehabilitation, job training programs, and unemployment benefits
Explanation: This comprehensive approach provides both immediate financial support (unemployment benefits) and employment-seeking assistance (vocational rehabilitation, job training) to address both short and longer-term employment needs.
Question 29
A case manager observes that a client with intellectual disability is showing signs of possible abuse by their caregiver. The MOST appropriate initial action would be to:
A) Immediately remove the client from the home without investigation
B) Assess the situation further and report suspicions to adult protective services
C) Confront the caregiver directly about the suspected abuse
D) Wait to see if more obvious signs of abuse develop
Correct Answer: B) Assess the situation further and report suspicions to adult protective services
Explanation: Further assessment provides more information about the situation, while reporting to adult protective services fulfills mandated reporting obligations and initiates proper investigation by authorities trained to handle abuse cases.
Question 30
Which of the following is a key principle of strengths-based case management?
A) Focusing primarily on client problems and deficits
B) Identifying and building upon client capabilities and resources
C) Making decisions for clients to ensure optimal outcomes
D) Limiting client options to prevent poor choices
Correct Answer: B) Identifying and building upon client capabilities and resources
Explanation: Strengths-based case management explicitly focuses on identifying and mobilizing client strengths, capabilities, and resources rather than emphasizing problems, empowering clients as active partners in their own care.
Next Steps
Now that you’ve completed the Case Management practice test, continue your ASWB Associate exam preparation by:
- Reviewing the explanations for any questions you missed
- Studying key case management approaches and techniques
- Exploring our other content area practice tests: