Sample Questions and Answers
Which of the following is a core principle of ethical decision-making in behavioral health science?
A) Financial gain
B) Respect for autonomy
C) Client satisfaction
D) Cultural uniformity
Answer: B) Respect for autonomy
Informed consent in behavioral health practice requires all of the following EXCEPT:
A) Competence of the client
B) Disclosure of risks and benefits
C) Guaranteeing treatment success
D) Voluntariness
Answer: C) Guaranteeing treatment success
Confidentiality can be breached legally when:
A) The therapist disagrees with the client’s lifestyle.
B) The client poses a risk to themselves or others.
C) The client refuses to pay for services.
D) The client changes therapists.
Answer: B) The client poses a risk to themselves or others.
What ethical principle focuses on doing no harm?
A) Beneficence
B) Autonomy
C) Nonmaleficence
D) Justice
Answer: C) Nonmaleficence
Which law protects the privacy of mental health clients in the U.S.?
A) The Mental Health Protection Act
B) The Privacy and Care Act
C) HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act)
D) Patient Accountability Act
Answer: C) HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act)
A dual relationship is considered unethical when:
A) It benefits the client.
B) It harms the professional relationship.
C) It involves shared hobbies.
D) Both parties agree to it.
Answer: B) It harms the professional relationship.
When working with diverse populations, a behavioral health professional should:
A) Avoid asking about cultural beliefs.
B) Use a one-size-fits-all approach.
C) Show cultural competence.
D) Rely solely on personal experiences.
Answer: C) Show cultural competence.
Ethical supervision requires that supervisors:
A) Avoid discussing ethical dilemmas.
B) Prioritize the agency’s goals over the supervisee’s learning.
C) Provide constructive feedback and oversight.
D) Ignore supervisee mistakes to avoid conflict.
Answer: C) Provide constructive feedback and oversight.
What is the primary ethical obligation when working with minors in therapy?
A) Share all information with parents.
B) Balance confidentiality with legal reporting requirements.
C) Ignore parental concerns.
D) Seek only the minor’s consent for treatment.
Answer: B) Balance confidentiality with legal reporting requirements.
If a client discloses illegal activity, the therapist should:
A) Report it immediately to law enforcement.
B) Maintain confidentiality unless mandated by law.
C) Terminate the therapeutic relationship.
D) Publicly share the information.
Answer: B) Maintain confidentiality unless mandated by law.
The principle of justice in behavioral health ethics refers to:
A) Fairness in the distribution of resources and services.
B) Avoiding punishment for unethical actions.
C) Prioritizing certain clients over others.
D) Ensuring client satisfaction.
Answer: A) Fairness in the distribution of resources and services.
A therapist should address personal biases by:
A) Ignoring them to maintain professionalism.
B) Reflecting and seeking supervision or training.
C) Assuming they do not affect practice.
D) Relying on their instinct alone.
Answer: B) Reflecting and seeking supervision or training.
Mandated reporting applies to cases involving:
A) Cultural misunderstandings.
B) Child abuse or neglect.
C) Difficult client relationships.
D) Adult disputes.
Answer: B) Child abuse or neglect.
Boundary crossings can be ethical if:
A) They are discussed and agreed upon with the client.
B) They involve financial transactions.
C) They are kept secret from the client.
D) They only benefit the therapist.
Answer: A) They are discussed and agreed upon with the client.
What is the role of beneficence in behavioral health ethics?
A) Avoiding harm to clients.
B) Promoting the well-being of clients.
C) Ensuring client independence.
D) Protecting client information.
Answer: B) Promoting the well-being of clients.
Which of the following is an example of unethical advertising in behavioral health?
A) Promoting group therapy sessions.
B) Guaranteeing specific outcomes.
C) Sharing client testimonials with consent.
D) Highlighting credentials and experience.
Answer: B) Guaranteeing specific outcomes.
When a client is unable to give informed consent, the therapist should:
A) Proceed without consent.
B) Involve a legally authorized representative.
C) Assume consent based on the situation.
D) Cancel the therapy session.
Answer: B) Involve a legally authorized representative.
A therapist dating a former client is:
A) Always acceptable.
B) Acceptable if sufficient time has passed and ethical guidelines are followed.
C) A violation of all professional codes.
D) Encouraged to strengthen the relationship.
Answer: B) Acceptable if sufficient time has passed and ethical guidelines are followed.
Which of the following ensures ethical recordkeeping?
A) Omitting details for privacy.
B) Keeping records accurate and secure.
C) Destroying records after each session.
D) Sharing records with all staff members.
Answer: B) Keeping records accurate and secure.
A conflict of interest arises when:
A) A therapist advocates for a client.
B) Personal interests compromise professional judgment.
C) A client pays for sessions on time.
D) A therapist works in multiple roles.
Answer: B) Personal interests compromise professional judgment.
Who is responsible for maintaining professional boundaries?
A) The client
B) The therapist
C) Both parties equally
D) The supervisor
Answer: B) The therapist
Ethical consultation is necessary when:
A) A therapist is unsure of the best course of action.
B) A client requests it.
C) A therapist disagrees with a colleague.
D) A therapy session exceeds time limits.
Answer: A) A therapist is unsure of the best course of action.
The principle of fidelity in behavioral health ethics emphasizes:
A) Upholding commitments to clients and the profession.
B) Maximizing client independence.
C) Disclosing all client secrets.
D) Using experimental techniques.
Answer: A) Upholding commitments to clients and the profession.
Which of the following is a dual relationship?
A) A therapist and client working together.
B) A therapist hiring a client as a babysitter.
C) A therapist and client in different countries.
D) A therapist referring a client to a colleague.
Answer: B) A therapist hiring a client as a babysitter.
The Tarasoff case established:
A) Confidentiality cannot be breached.
B) Therapists have a duty to warn potential victims.
C) Clients have no privacy rights.
D) Therapists cannot intervene in violent situations.
Answer: B) Therapists have a duty to warn potential victims.
When should informed consent be revisited?
A) Only during intake.
B) At the end of treatment.
C) Whenever there are changes in treatment plans.
D) Never, once signed.
Answer: C) Whenever there are changes in treatment plans.
Ethical guidelines discourage:
A) Supervisors from mentoring interns.
B) Practicing outside one’s competence.
C) Seeking continuing education.
D) Consulting peers on ethical dilemmas.
Answer: B) Practicing outside one’s competence.
Cultural humility in therapy involves:
A) Asserting one’s expertise in cultural matters.
B) Lifelong self-evaluation and learning.
C) Ignoring cultural differences.
D) Assuming all clients share similar beliefs.
Answer: B) Lifelong self-evaluation and learning.
Burnout in behavioral health professionals:
A) Enhances their empathy for clients.
B) Requires ethical self-care practices.
C) Is encouraged to develop resilience.
D) Is unrelated to ethical responsibilities.
Answer: B) Requires ethical self-care practices.
Which is an example of unethical behavior in group therapy?
A) Encouraging peer feedback.
B) Sharing group members’ identities without consent.
C) Maintaining confidentiality within the group.
D) Setting group ground rules.
Answer: B) Sharing group members’ identities without consent.
The ethical principle of autonomy refers to:
A) Protecting clients from harm.
B) Respecting the right of clients to make their own decisions.
C) Allocating resources equally among clients.
D) Promoting the well-being of clients.
Answer: B) Respecting the right of clients to make their own decisions.
What should a behavioral health professional do when faced with a potential conflict between their ethical duties and a legal obligation?
A) Follow legal obligations and ignore ethical duties.
B) Seek consultation from a supervisor or legal expert.
C) Ignore both ethical and legal obligations.
D) Prioritize personal beliefs over professional guidelines.
Answer: B) Seek consultation from a supervisor or legal expert.
When is it ethical for a therapist to disclose client information without consent?
A) If the therapist feels the client is being dishonest.
B) If the therapist believes the disclosure will benefit the client.
C) If there is an immediate risk of harm to the client or others.
D) If the therapist disagrees with the client’s treatment plan.
Answer: C) If there is an immediate risk of harm to the client or others.
Which of the following is an example of a boundary violation in therapy?
A) The therapist and client having a professional relationship.
B) The therapist giving the client a personal gift.
C) The therapist respecting the client’s cultural preferences.
D) The therapist setting clear boundaries with the client.
Answer: B) The therapist giving the client a personal gift.
The ethical principle of veracity refers to:
A) Ensuring clients have access to all treatment options.
B) Being truthful and honest with clients.
C) Minimizing harm during treatment.
D) Protecting clients from emotional distress.
Answer: B) Being truthful and honest with clients.
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