CAPS Professional Ethics & Standards 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A CAPS professional discovers mid-project that a client's existing grab bar installation was done incorrectly by a previous contractor. What is the ethical obligation?
- Ignore it since it was not your work
- Inform the client of the safety risk and recommend correction (Correct answer)
- Correct it yourself without telling the client to avoid alarm
- Document it but only disclose if the client asks
Correct answer: Inform the client of the safety risk and recommend correction
CAPS professionals have an ethical duty to disclose known safety hazards to clients, even when those hazards were created by others.
Question 2: When a CAPS specialist recommends a product, what must they disclose to maintain ethical standards?
- Only the product's warranty information
- Any financial relationship or referral fee they receive from the manufacturer (Correct answer)
- The product's country of manufacture
- Only information the client specifically requests
Correct answer: Any financial relationship or referral fee they receive from the manufacturer
Disclosure of financial relationships or referral arrangements is required to avoid conflicts of interest under CAPS ethical standards.
Question 3: A client with mild cognitive impairment insists on a modification that the CAPS professional believes is unsafe. What is the best ethical course of action?
- Proceed immediately since the client has legal authority
- Refuse the project entirely without explanation
- Document the concern, explain the risk clearly, and consult family or caregivers if appropriate (Correct answer)
- Complete the work and note the client insisted
Correct answer: Document the concern, explain the risk clearly, and consult family or caregivers if appropriate
When a client may lack full capacity, CAPS professionals should document concerns, communicate risks clearly, and involve appropriate support persons.
Question 4: Under CAPS ethics standards, how should a professional handle a situation where a client cannot afford the recommended modifications?
- Recommend they forgo all modifications
- Suggest substandard materials to reduce cost without disclosure
- Present a range of options including lower-cost alternatives and available funding resources (Correct answer)
- Terminate the professional relationship
Correct answer: Present a range of options including lower-cost alternatives and available funding resources
Ethical practice requires presenting clients with realistic alternatives and connecting them with funding resources such as grants or loan programs.
Question 5: Which action would constitute a breach of professional confidentiality for a CAPS practitioner?
- Discussing a client's modification needs with the project contractor
- Sharing client health and home details with a business partner without client consent (Correct answer)
- Keeping records of completed assessments
- Referring a client to an occupational therapist
Correct answer: Sharing client health and home details with a business partner without client consent
Sharing client information with third parties without explicit consent violates confidentiality obligations central to CAPS ethics.
Question 6: A CAPS professional is asked to certify work completed by a subcontractor they did not supervise. What is the ethical response?
- Sign off based on the subcontractor's reputation
- Inspect the work personally before certifying it (Correct answer)
- Decline to certify since it was not your original work
- Ask the client to certify it instead
Correct answer: Inspect the work personally before certifying it
Certifying work requires firsthand verification; signing off without inspection would misrepresent the professional's knowledge and endorsement.
Question 7: What does the CAPS Code of Ethics require regarding honest representation of one's qualifications?
- Professionals may imply broader credentials to win contracts
- Professionals must accurately represent their certifications, training, and scope of competence (Correct answer)
- Credentials only need to be disclosed when directly asked
- Listing CAPS on a business card is sufficient disclosure
Correct answer: Professionals must accurately represent their certifications, training, and scope of competence
CAPS ethics require truthful representation of qualifications at all times to protect consumers and maintain professional integrity.
CAPS Professional Ethics & Standards 2
A CAPS professional discovers mid-project that a client's existing grab bar installation was done incorrectly by a previous contractor.
What is the ethical obligation?