Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) Practice Exam

What should an emergency room social worker do next when the patient is confused and unable to provide reliable information?

1. Conduct a full psychological evaluation

2. Seek permission from the patient to contact relatives

3. Provide immediate psychological support

4. Document the patient's current state

The correct answer is: Seek permission from the patient to contact relatives

When encountering a patient who is confused and unable to provide reliable information, seeking permission from the patient to contact relatives is a crucial step for the emergency room social worker. This approach acknowledges the potential need for immediate support and additional information that can be obtained from family members or close contacts who might know the patient’s medical history, current medications, or any recent changes in behavior. Engaging family members not only helps in gathering essential information, but it also fosters a supportive environment that can alleviate the patient’s anxiety and confusion. Moreover, involving relatives can assist in forming a more comprehensive understanding of the patient's situation, allowing for better-informed decisions regarding their care. This action aligns with the ethical principles of maintaining family involvement in healthcare, as it enhances the care provided to the patient by ensuring that the healthcare team has all pertinent information and support. While providing psychological support or documenting the patient's current state are also important duties of a social worker, these actions follow after establishing a clearer understanding of the patient's context, which can be significantly aided by contacting a family member. Conducting a full psychological evaluation may be inappropriate at this initial stage, as the patient's confusion might hinder the evaluation's effectiveness.