Ethics & Professional Practice

Question 1

What are the six core values in NASW Code of Ethics?

Answer 1

Service, social justice, dignity and worth, importance of relationships, integrity, competence

Question 2

What is the primary responsibility to clients?

Answer 2

Clients’ interests are primary but not exclusive

Question 3

What is self-determination?

Answer 3

Client’s right to make their own decisions

Question 4

What are limits to self-determination?

Answer 4

Serious

Question 5

What is informed consent?

Answer 5

Process ensuring client understands services

Question 6

What must be included in informed consent?

Answer 6

Nature of services, risks/benefits, alternatives, fees, confidentiality limits, right to refuse

Question 7

When can informed consent not be obtained?

Answer 7

Emergency situations or when client lacks capacity

Question 8

What is confidentiality?

Answer 8

Ethical and legal obligation to protect client information

Question 9

When must confidentiality be broken?

Answer 9

Mandated reporting, imminent danger, court order

Question 10

What is mandatory reporting?

Answer 10

Legal requirement to report suspected child/elder/dependent adult abuse

Question 11

What standard triggers mandatory reporting?

Answer 11

Reasonable suspicion (not proof or certainty)

Question 12

What is the timeframe for mandatory reporting?

Answer 12

Immediately or within 24-36 hours depending on state

Question 13

Do you need client consent to make mandated report?

Answer 13

No - report is required by law regardless of consent

Question 14

What is child abuse that must be reported?

Answer 14

Physical, sexual, emotional abuse, or neglect

Question 15

What is elder abuse?

Answer 15

Abuse or neglect of person 65+ or dependent adult

Question 16

What are reportable forms of elder abuse?

Answer 16

Physical, sexual, financial exploitation, neglect, abandonment, isolation

Question 17

When must historical abuse be reported?

Answer 17

If perpetrator currently has access to vulnerable populations

Question 18

What is HIPAA?

Answer 18

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act - protects health information privacy

Question 19

What are the HIPAA Privacy Rule requirements?

Answer 19

Protect PHI, client access to records, minimum necessary disclosure, business associate agreements

Question 20

What is PHI?

Answer 20

Protected Health Information - individually identifiable health information

Question 21

When can PHI be shared without consent?

Answer 21

Treatment, payment, operations (TPO), mandatory reporting, court order

Question 22

What is breach of confidentiality?

Answer 22

Unauthorized disclosure of client information

Question 23

What are consequences of confidentiality breach?

Answer 23

License revocation, lawsuits, loss of trust, criminal charges

Question 24

What is a boundary?

Answer 24

Professional limits that protect therapeutic relationship

Question 25

What is boundary crossing vs. violation?

Answer 25

Crossing: potentially beneficial departure from usual practice; Violation: harmful exploitation

Question 26

What is dual relationship?

Answer 26

Having multiple roles with client (professional and personal)

Question 27

Are all dual relationships unethical?

Answer 27

No - some unavoidable in small communities but require careful management

Question 28

What are problematic dual relationships?

Answer 28

Sexual/romantic relationships, business relationships, social friendships

Question 29

Are sexual relationships with current clients ever permissible?

Answer 29

Never - always unethical and illegal

Question 30

Can you have relationship with former client?

Answer 30

Generally unethical; if ever considered

Question 31

What is exploitation?

Answer 31

Taking advantage of client for therapist's benefit

Question 32

How should gifts from clients be handled?

Answer 32

Consider meaning

Question 33

What is appropriate self-disclosure?

Answer 33

Brief, purposeful, in service of client goals (not therapist needs)

Question 34

What are social media boundary issues?

Answer 34

Friend requests, viewing client profiles, personal information exposure

Question 35

What is the policy on social media with clients?

Answer 35

Maintain professional boundaries; don't accept friend requests or follow clients

Question 36

What is scope of practice?

Answer 36

Boundaries of competence based on education

Question 37

When is consultation required?

Answer 37

When working outside usual competence or facing ethical dilemma

Question 38

When is referral necessary?

Answer 38

When client needs exceed your competence or resources

Question 39

What is impairment in professional practice?

Answer 39

Personal issues affecting ability to practice competently and safely

Question 40

What should you do if impaired?

Answer 40

Seek help

Question 41

What is your responsibility regarding impaired colleagues?

Answer 41

Report to supervisor or licensing board to protect clients

Question 42

What is documentation?

Answer 42

Clinical records of assessment

Question 43

What should be included in documentation?

Answer 43

Assessment, diagnosis, treatment plan, progress notes, consent forms, release forms

Question 44

What is the purpose of documentation?

Answer 44

Continuity of care, legal protection, communication with providers, meet requirements

Question 45

How long must records be retained?

Answer 45

Minimum 7 years after termination (varies by state); longer for minors

Question 46

Who owns clinical records?

Answer 46

Provider/agency owns record; client has right to access content

Question 47

Can clients access their records?

Answer 47

Yes - with few exceptions (would cause harm)

Question 48

What is subpoena?

Answer 48

Legal document requiring records or testimony

Question 49

How should you respond to subpoena?

Answer 49

Contact client, assert privilege, consult attorney, comply if court ordered

Question 50

What is testimonial privilege?

Answer 50

Client's right to prevent therapist from testifying about their treatment

Question 51

Who holds privilege?

Answer 51

Client (not therapist) - client can waive privilege

Question 52

What are exceptions to privilege?

Answer 52

Child abuse proceedings, commitment hearings, court-ordered evaluations

Question 53

What is supervision?

Answer 53

Oversight of clinical work to ensure competent ethical practice

Question 54

What is the supervisor's responsibility?

Answer 54

Ensuring quality of care provided by supervisee to clients

Question 55

What is vicarious liability?

Answer 55

Supervisor can be held responsible for supervisee's actions

Question 56

What should supervision include?

Answer 56

Case review, skill development, ethical guidance, evaluation

Question 57

What is the difference between supervision and therapy?

Answer 57

Supervision focuses on professional development; therapy on personal issues

Question 58

When should supervisor intervene in supervisee's case?

Answer 58

When client safety at risk or supervisee practicing beyond competence

Question 59

What is cultural competence in practice?

Answer 59

Understanding and effectively working with diverse cultural perspectives

Question 60

What is cultural humility vs. cultural competence?

Answer 60

Humility emphasizes ongoing learning vs. competence implying mastery

Question 61

What should you do when working with unfamiliar culture?

Answer 61

Seek education

Question 62

What is termination?

Answer 62

Planned ending of therapeutic relationship

Question 63

When is termination appropriate?

Answer 63

Goals met, client no longer benefiting, client requests, moving

Question 64

What is abandonment?

Answer 64

Ending services without appropriate referral or notice

Question 65

How do you prevent abandonment?

Answer 65

Provide adequate notice

Question 66

What is an ethical dilemma?

Answer 66

Situation where ethical principles conflict with no clear right answer

Question 67

How do you resolve ethical dilemmas?

Answer 67

Identify stakeholders, apply ethical principles, consult Code of Ethics, seek consultation, document reasoning

Question 68

What is the difference between ethics and law?

Answer 68

Ethics: professional standards of conduct; Law: legally enforceable rules

Question 69

What should you do when ethics and law conflict?

Answer 69

Follow law while advocating for ethical position; seek consultation

Question 70

What is professional liability insurance?

Answer 70

Coverage protecting against malpractice claims and legal costs

Question 71

What is malpractice?

Answer 71

Professional negligence causing harm (breach of duty, damages, causation)

Question 72

What are common causes of malpractice claims?

Answer 72

Suicide, sexual misconduct, breach of confidentiality, improper treatment, abandonment

Question 73

What is informed refusal?

Answer 73

Documenting client's understanding of risks when declining recommended treatment

Question 74

What is duty of care?

Answer 74

Legal obligation to provide competent professional services

Question 75

What is standard of care?

Answer 75

Level of competence expected of reasonable professional in similar circumstances

Question 76

What is negligence?

Answer 76

Failure to provide appropriate standard of care

Question 77

What are the elements of negligence?

Answer 77

Duty, breach, causation, damages

Question 78

What is the role of continuing education?

Answer 78

Maintaining and enhancing professional competence throughout career

Question 79

How many CE hours typically required for license renewal?

Answer 79

20-40 hours per renewal period (varies by state)