CCS Ethics, Legalities, and Professionalism 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following scenarios best illustrates the ethical principle of justice in care delivery?
- Providing extra care to clients who tip generously
- Allocating care resources fairly based on assessed need rather than personal preference (Correct answer)
- Prioritizing younger clients over older ones during staff shortages
- Giving more attention to clients with private insurance
Correct answer: Allocating care resources fairly based on assessed need rather than personal preference
Justice requires fair, equitable distribution of care and resources without discrimination based on personal or financial factors.
Question 2: A care specialist who routinely arrives late, takes extended breaks, and misses documentation deadlines is violating standards of:
- Informed consent
- Professionalism and accountability (Correct answer)
- Mandatory reporting
- Scope of practice
Correct answer: Professionalism and accountability
Reliability, punctuality, and completing assigned duties on time are core elements of professional accountability in healthcare.
Question 3: Under most state laws, which of the following is NOT typically a mandated reporter for elder abuse?
- Home health aides
- Social workers
- Nursing home staff
- The elder's adult children (Correct answer)
Correct answer: The elder's adult children
Adult children are not mandated reporters by profession, whereas healthcare workers and social workers are typically designated as mandated reporters by statute.
Question 4: The concept of 'scope of practice' for a care specialist means:
- The geographic area where the specialist may work
- The specific tasks and responsibilities legally and professionally permitted for that role (Correct answer)
- The number of clients that may be assigned at one time
- The types of facilities where the specialist is licensed to practice
Correct answer: The specific tasks and responsibilities legally and professionally permitted for that role
Scope of practice defines the procedures, actions, and processes a care specialist is legally authorized to perform based on education, experience, and certification.
Question 5: A client's adult daughter asks the care specialist to share details of her mother's diagnosis without the mother's consent. The correct response is to:
- Share the information since family members have a right to know
- Obtain the client's consent before sharing any protected health information (Correct answer)
- Refer the daughter to the billing department
- Share only if the daughter signs a release form on the mother's behalf
Correct answer: Obtain the client's consent before sharing any protected health information
HIPAA requires the client's own authorization before disclosing PHI to family members, regardless of the family relationship.
Question 6: Which legal document outlines a client's wishes regarding life-sustaining treatment if they become unable to communicate?
- Durable power of attorney for finances
- Living will (Correct answer)
- Last will and testament
- HIPAA release form
Correct answer: Living will
A living will (also called a healthcare directive) documents a person's specific wishes about life-sustaining treatment in end-of-life situations.
Question 7: When a care specialist witnesses a co-worker physically abuse a resident, the FIRST action should be to:
- Talk to the co-worker privately after the shift ends
- Ensure the resident's immediate safety and report the incident immediately (Correct answer)
- Wait to see if the behavior recurs before reporting
- Write a note in the care plan without notifying anyone
Correct answer: Ensure the resident's immediate safety and report the incident immediately
Immediate safety of the resident is the top priority, followed by prompt reporting to supervisors and, as required, to regulatory authorities.
CCS Ethics, Legalities, and Professionalism 3
Which of the following scenarios best illustrates the ethical principle of justice in care delivery?