Question 1

One of the best precautions against malpractice is personal and professional honesty and openness with clients.

Accepted Answer

Personal and professional honesty and openness with clients can help prevent misunderstandings, promote trust, and reduce the risk of malpractice. By being transparent and truthful in communication and actions, healthcare professionals can establish a good rapport with their clients and avoid ethical lapses or legal liabilities.

Question 2

Developing a sense of professional and ethical responsibility is a task never completely finished.

Accepted Answer

Developing a sense of professional and ethical responsibility is an ongoing process that requires constant reflection and evaluation of one's actions and decisions. As one's professional and personal circumstances change, new ethical dilemmas may arise, requiring a continued commitment to ethical conduct and responsibility. Therefore, it is true that this task is never completely finished.

Question 3

It is not necessary for school counselors to inform students they see about the limitations of confidentiality,for if such limitations were made known to students,it is highly unlikely that they would seek counseling.

Accepted Answer

It is necessary for school counselors to inform students they see about the limitations of confidentiality in order to maintain ethical and legal standards. While some students may be hesitant to seek counseling if they are made aware of these limitations, it is ultimately the responsibility of the counselor to communicate them and ensure that the student understands the potential risks and benefits of sharing information with the counselor.

Question 4

As long as school counselors act in an ethical and reasonable manner,they are protected from legal sanctions.

Accepted Answer

School counselors can still face legal sanctions even if they act ethically and reasonably, as legal standards and ethical standards may differ.

Question 5

Formal ethical principles can never be substituted for an active,deliberative,and creative approach to meeting ethical responsibilities.

Accepted Answer

Formal ethical principles can provide a foundation for ethical decision-making, but simply relying on them without using creativity and deliberation in specific situations may lead to a lack of nuance and sensitivity to context. Therefore, an active, deliberative, and creative approach is necessary in addition to formal principles.

Question 6

It is considered below the standard of care to fail to keep current records for all a helper's professional contacts.

Accepted Answer

It is important for helpers to keep current and accurate records for all their professional contacts to ensure they are maintaining appropriate standards of care and to protect both themselves and their clients. Failure to do so is below the standard of care.

Question 7

Practitioners who keep two kinds of client records are guilty of fraud and are highly vulnerable to malpractice suits.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Practitioners who keep two kinds of client...

Question 8

In the context of school counseling,protection of confidentiality and privacy is generally not a key concern.

Accepted Answer

Protection of confidentiality and privacy is a critical concern in school counseling as it allows students to feel safe, secure, and trust their counselor. It is an essential ethical principle and is particularly important in building a trusting relationship between the student and counselor.

Question 9

The only time mental health professionals can disclose confidential information is in those specific cases where a client authorizes this.

Accepted Answer

Mental health professionals can disclose confidential information without client authorization in certain situations, such as when there is a risk of harm to the client or others, or when required by law.

Question 10

Poor ethical decisions often result from

Accepted Answer

Poor ethical decisions often result from an inability to view a situation objectively as well as prejudices, biases, personal needs, or emotional investment in a situation. Therefore, both options A and C are correct.

Question 11

Informal peer monitoring

Accepted Answer

Informal peer monitoring involves colleagues monitoring each other's behavior and holding each other accountable. This may involve confronting a colleague if they are not meeting expectations. While it is not an official responsibility, it can provide an opportunity for corrective intervention and ultimately improve client outcomes. It is not considered a boundary crossing as long as it is conducted in a respectful and constructive manner. Therefore, choice E, "a and b," is the best answer.

Question 12

State laws spell out special circumstances under which confidentiality must be compromised.

Accepted Answer

State laws often require confidentiality to be compromised in certain circumstances, such as when there is suspected child abuse or neglect, when a court order is issued, or when there is a threat of harm to oneself or others. These special circumstances are spelled out in state laws to protect vulnerable individuals and ensure public safety.

Question 13

As a general rule,practitioners are held legally liable for their failure to predict violent behavior of a client.

Accepted Answer

Practitioners are not necessarily held legally liable for their failure to predict violent behavior of a client, as predicting human behavior is a very complex and uncertain task. However, practitioners may be held liable if they fail to take reasonable steps to assess and manage the risk of violence, or if they ignore warning signs and red flags that suggest a client may pose a danger to themselves or others. Liability in these cases would be based on the practitioner's negligence or breach of their duty of care to the client and others.

Question 14

Getting a client's informed consent involves a delicate balance between telling him or her too little and overwhelming the client with too much information too soon.

Accepted Answer

This statement is true. Therapists must be mindful to communicate necessary information to their clients regarding their treatment and the therapeutic process while avoiding overwhelming the client with too much information all at once. This balance is important to ensure clients understand what they are consenting to while also respecting their autonomy and right to make choices about their own treatment.

Question 15

Which type of helping specialty does not have an affiliation with a professional organization that has a code of ethics?

Accepted Answer

All of the helping specialties mentioned in the question (alcohol and drug abuse counseling, rehabilitation counseling, social work, and marriage and family therapy) have professional organizations that have a code of ethics except for "None of the above," which is not a helping specialty.

Question 16

Informed consent is a legal doctrine that is rooted in the law's recognition of the importance of self-determination.

Accepted Answer

Informed consent is based on the principle that individuals have the right to make decisions about their own bodies and health care, and it seeks to ensure that patients are fully informed about the risks and benefits of medical procedures or treatments before agreeing to them. This principle is rooted in the law's recognition of the importance of self-determination and autonomy, which are fundamental values in medical ethics and human rights.

Question 17

Confidentiality cannot be compromised,even in cases when a client's records are subpoenaed.

Accepted Answer

In cases where a client's records are subpoenaed, confidentiality may be legally required to be breached to comply with the court order.

Question 18

It is best to involve the inclusion of clients as collaborators in those cases where therapists need to make ethical decisions.

Accepted Answer

Involving clients as collaborators in making ethical decisions can promote client autonomy, help therapists understand the client's perspective, and foster a collaborative therapeutic relationship. It also aligns with ethical principles such as informed consent and respect for clients' dignity and worth. Therefore, it is generally considered best practice to involve clients as collaborators in ethical decision-making.

Question 19

Ethical codes are necessary and sufficient for the exercise of ethical responsibility.

Accepted Answer

While ethical codes provide a framework for ethical behavior, they are not sufficient on their own for exercising ethical responsibility. Ethical responsibility also requires the individual's commitment to upholding ethical principles and making ethical decisions in specific situations. Additionally, ethical codes are not static, and must be continuously updated and refined to keep up with changing societal norms, technologies, and values.

Question 20

With regard to making ethical decisions,which of the following statements is not true?

Accepted Answer

While it is important to take time to reflect and seek advice, it is not always possible to feel certain of the outcome. Ethical decisions are often complex and uncertain, and it is important to make a decision based on the information and resources available at the time. Waiting too long to make a decision can also have negative consequences.

Quiz 8: Ethical Legal Issues Facing Helpers