Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) Practice Exam

When handling a call about an adult woman showing signs of erratic behavior, what action should a mental health crisis hotline social worker take first?

1. Provide supportive counseling over the phone

2. Arrange for an immediate mental status assessment

3. Inform the authorities about the situation

4. Schedule a follow-up call

The correct answer is: Arrange for an immediate mental status assessment

In the context of responding to a call about an adult woman displaying signs of erratic behavior, initiating a mental status assessment is a critical action. This assessment allows the social worker to obtain vital information about the individual’s current mental state, including cognitive function, emotional stability, and any potential risks such as self-harm or harm to others. Conducting a mental status assessment is essential because it helps determine the severity of the situation and whether immediate intervention is required. It provides a structured way to evaluate the individual’s behavior and symptoms, ensuring that appropriate measures can be taken based on the findings. This approach prioritizes the safety and well-being of the individual in crisis, enabling the social worker to gauge the need for more immediate action like arranging for in-person intervention or notifying mental health resources. While supportive counseling, notifying authorities, or scheduling a follow-up call may be helpful in certain situations, these actions do not address the immediate need to understand the level of risk or the individual's mental condition, which is crucial in crisis situations. Therefore, beginning with a mental status assessment is a focused approach that sets the foundation for the most appropriate response to the woman's erratic behavior.