CBS Professional Ethics & Communication 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A breastfeeding mother from a different cultural background declines to follow standard breastfeeding recommendations due to traditional practices. A CBS should:
- Insist on standard recommendations and document the mother's non-compliance
- Explore the cultural practices, provide evidence-based information, and collaboratively develop a plan that respects her values (Correct answer)
- Immediately refer the case to social services
- Provide no guidance to avoid cultural insensitivity
Correct answer: Explore the cultural practices, provide evidence-based information, and collaboratively develop a plan that respects her values
Culturally competent care involves understanding the client's cultural context, sharing evidence-based information, and jointly creating a culturally sensitive support plan.
Question 2: In the context of CBS professional ethics, 'beneficence' means:
- Ensuring equal access to breastfeeding support for all clients
- Taking positive actions to promote the well-being of clients (Correct answer)
- Disclosing all risks associated with breastfeeding support interventions
- Maintaining strict confidentiality of client information
Correct answer: Taking positive actions to promote the well-being of clients
Beneficence refers to the obligation to act in the client's best interest and take positive steps to promote their well-being.
Question 3: A CBS is asked to provide expert testimony in a legal case involving infant feeding. The MOST important ethical obligation is to:
- Advocate strongly for breastfeeding regardless of the specific facts
- Provide honest, objective, evidence-based testimony within the CBS's area of competence (Correct answer)
- Decline all legal involvement to avoid liability
- Support whichever party is advocating for the infant's rights
Correct answer: Provide honest, objective, evidence-based testimony within the CBS's area of competence
Expert witnesses have an ethical obligation to provide truthful, objective, evidence-based opinions within their professional competence, regardless of which party they are assisting.
Question 4: When a CBS refers a client to another healthcare professional, which of the following is MOST important to communicate?
- The CBS's personal opinion of the receiving provider's skill level
- Relevant clinical information with the client's consent to ensure continuity of care (Correct answer)
- The client's insurance information and payment history
- A recommendation for the receiving provider to discontinue breastfeeding support
Correct answer: Relevant clinical information with the client's consent to ensure continuity of care
Effective referrals include sharing relevant clinical information with the client's consent to ensure the receiving provider can provide coordinated, continuous care.
Question 5: A CBS who has not received training in tongue-tie assessment is asked by a pediatrician to evaluate and recommend frenotomy. The CBS should:
- Complete the assessment to be helpful, documenting uncertainty in the notes
- Decline and explain that this falls outside the CBS's scope of practice and training (Correct answer)
- Perform the assessment but do not document it to avoid liability
- Accept the referral since the pediatrician has the authority to expand scope
Correct answer: Decline and explain that this falls outside the CBS's scope of practice and training
A CBS must decline tasks outside their scope of practice and training, as practicing beyond competence is unethical and potentially harmful.
Question 6: Which of the following scenarios represents a dual relationship that a CBS should AVOID?
- Providing breastfeeding support to a colleague's patient with consent from all parties
- Providing paid breastfeeding support to a close personal friend while also maintaining a social friendship (Correct answer)
- Consulting with another CBS about a challenging clinical case
- Volunteering breastfeeding education at a community health fair
Correct answer: Providing paid breastfeeding support to a close personal friend while also maintaining a social friendship
Dual relationships, such as providing professional services to close personal friends, can compromise objectivity, professional boundaries, and client welfare.
Question 7: A CBS notices that a new mother appears to be experiencing symptoms consistent with postpartum depression. The MOST appropriate response is to:
- Provide counseling and therapy since this affects breastfeeding
- Acknowledge the symptoms, offer emotional support, and refer the mother to an appropriate mental health provider (Correct answer)
- Ignore the observation as it is outside the CBS's scope
- Document the observation but take no action until the mother brings it up herself
Correct answer: Acknowledge the symptoms, offer emotional support, and refer the mother to an appropriate mental health provider
A CBS should acknowledge mental health concerns with empathy and refer the mother to appropriate mental health services while continuing breastfeeding support.
