CAC Ethics and Professional Standards 2

Question 1

What does 'informed consent' require a counselor to provide to a client before beginning treatment?

Accepted Answer

Information about treatment goals, risks, benefits, alternatives, and confidentiality limits

Answer

Informed consent requires disclosure of enough information — including risks, benefits, alternatives, and limits of confidentiality — for the client to make a voluntary, knowledgeable decision.

Question 2

Which ethical principle supports a client's right to make their own treatment decisions, even ones the counselor disagrees with?

Accepted Answer

Autonomy

Answer

Autonomy recognizes the client's right to self-determination and to make their own choices about treatment.

Question 3

A counselor discovers that a colleague is seeing clients while impaired by alcohol. What is the MOST appropriate first action?

Accepted Answer

Report the colleague to a supervisor or licensing board

Answer

Protecting client welfare requires reporting a colleague's impairment to supervisory or regulatory authorities, as self-report alone is insufficient.

Question 4

What is a 'dual relationship' in the context of addiction counseling ethics?

Accepted Answer

A professional relationship combined with a personal, financial, or social relationship

Answer

A dual relationship occurs when a counselor takes on more than one role with a client (e.g., counselor and employer, or counselor and friend), which can impair objectivity.

Question 5

Under federal law (42 CFR Part 2), which is an example of a permissible disclosure WITHOUT client consent?

Accepted Answer

Reporting to medical personnel in a life-threatening emergency

Answer

42 CFR Part 2 permits disclosure without consent in medical emergencies where a client's life is at immediate risk.

CAC - Certified Addiction Counselor Practice Test

CAC - Certified Addiction Counselor Practice Test

CAC Ethics and Professional Standards 2