BCP Ethics and Professional Standards 3

Question 1

A supervising neuropsychologist instructs a psychometrist to alter a test score to make a patient appear more impaired for disability purposes. The psychometrist should:

Accepted Answer

Refuse, document the instruction, and consult relevant ethical guidelines or legal counsel

Answer

Comply, as the supervising neuropsychologist bears sole ethical responsibility

Answer

Alter the score but note the discrepancy privately

Answer

Ask the patient whether they want the score changed

Question 2

Cultural competence in psychometric testing primarily requires the psychometrist to:

Accepted Answer

Be aware of how cultural and linguistic factors may affect an examinee's performance and report accordingly

Answer

Translate test instructions verbally into the examinee's native language mid-test

Answer

Administer only tests normed on populations matching the examinee's ethnicity

Answer

Avoid discussing cultural background with examinees to prevent bias

Question 3

Which action by a psychometrist would constitute a breach of professional boundaries?

Accepted Answer

Accepting a gift of significant monetary value from a grateful patient's family

Answer

Explaining the purpose of a test to the examinee before beginning

Answer

Documenting behavioral observations during testing

Answer

Using standardized prompts during test administration

Question 4

The primary purpose of the NAN (National Academy of Neuropsychology) Policy and Planning Committee's position papers relevant to psychometrists is to:

Accepted Answer

Provide guidance on best practices, ethical standards, and appropriate roles in neuropsychological assessment

Answer

Replace state licensure requirements for psychometrists

Answer

Establish billing codes for psychometric services

Answer

Certify psychometrists independently of the ABRET and ABPP

Question 5

An examinee refuses to complete a subtest midway through testing. The psychometrist should FIRST:

Accepted Answer

Stop, note the refusal behaviorally, and consult the supervising clinician

Answer

Mark all remaining items as incorrect and continue with the next test

Answer

Encourage the examinee to continue by offering incentives not outlined in the test manual

Answer

Administer the subtest again from the beginning to get a valid score

Question 6

When a minor is the examinee, informed consent for neuropsychological testing must be obtained from:

Accepted Answer

A parent or legal guardian, with assent sought from the minor as developmentally appropriate

Answer

The minor examinee only, provided they are over age 12

Answer

The referring physician, who acts as a proxy for the family

Answer

The school district if testing is education-related

Question 7

A psychometrist who identifies signs of acute suicidal ideation in an examinee during testing should:

Accepted Answer

Immediately stop testing and notify the supervising clinician or appropriate clinical staff

Answer

Complete the testing session to avoid disrupting standardization before reporting

Answer

Ask the examinee to fill out a safety contract and continue with testing

Answer

Document the observation in the report without taking immediate action