CBHCM - Certified Behavioral Health Case Manager Professional Ethics and Responsibilities Questions and Answers

Question 1

A client offers a behavioral health case manager a small, handmade scarf as a thank you gift for helping them secure stable housing. What is the MOST ethical response from the case manager?

Accepted Answer

Politely decline the gift, while explaining agency policy and the importance of professional boundaries.

Answer

Accept the gift to avoid offending the client and damaging the professional relationship.

Answer

Accept the gift but immediately report it to a supervisor to ensure transparency.

Answer

Suggest the client donate the scarf to a local charity as a more appropriate gesture.

Question 2

Under which of the following circumstances is a behavioral health case manager ethically and legally OBLIGATED to breach client confidentiality?

Accepted Answer

The client makes a specific, credible threat to inflict serious harm upon an identifiable person.

Answer

A client's spouse calls demanding to know if the client is keeping their appointments.

Answer

The client admits to committing a property crime, such as shoplifting, several weeks ago.

Answer

A law enforcement officer requests the client's records for an unrelated investigation without a court order.

Question 3

Which of the following represents a BEST practice for ethical and effective documentation in a client's behavioral health record?

Accepted Answer

Documenting all client contacts, interventions, and progress toward goals in a timely and objective manner.

Answer

Waiting until the end of the week to complete all progress notes to ensure they are comprehensive.

Answer

Including subjective opinions and personal feelings about the client's attitude.

Answer

Using general terms like "client was difficult" to summarize the session's tone.

Question 4

A case manager is assigned a new client and, during the intake process, discovers the client is their sibling's spouse. What is the case manager's most appropriate initial action?

Accepted Answer

Immediately inform their supervisor of the dual relationship and request the client be reassigned.

Answer

Ask the client if they are comfortable with the arrangement before proceeding with services.

Answer

Proceed with providing services but be extra careful to maintain confidentiality from their sibling.

Answer

Tell their sibling about the client but promise not to share any specific details from sessions.

Question 5

The ethical principle of client self-determination is best demonstrated when a case manager:

Accepted Answer

Supports the client's decision to pursue a specific goal, even if the case manager foresees potential challenges.

Answer

Creates the service plan based on what they believe is most effective for the client's long-term recovery.

Answer

Persuades the client to choose a housing option that has a high success rate for other clients.

Answer

Limits the client's service options to only those that are fully covered by their insurance provider.

Question 6

A case manager is working with a 19-year-old client who has a court-appointed legal guardian due to an intellectual disability. To share information with a new psychiatrist, from whom must the case manager obtain informed consent?

Accepted Answer

Both the guardian for legal consent and the client for assent, to the extent of their ability to understand.

Answer

Only the client, because they are a legal adult.

Answer

Only the court-appointed guardian, as they have the sole legal authority.

Answer

Neither, as a court mandate for services implies consent for necessary information sharing.