Chemical Dependency Counselor CCDC Exam Technology & Digital Applications 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A counselor wants to use a smartphone app to help clients track cravings between sessions. What is the MOST important ethical consideration before recommending the app?
- Verifying the app has a privacy policy and does not sell user data (Correct answer)
- Checking whether the app has colorful graphics to engage clients
- Confirming the app is free to download from any app store
- Ensuring the app sends daily motivational quotes automatically
Correct answer: Verifying the app has a privacy policy and does not sell user data
Counselors must assess data privacy and confidentiality before recommending any digital tool to clients.
Question 2: When using telehealth to provide substance use counseling, which federal law primarily governs the confidentiality of client records?
- The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
- 42 CFR Part 2 and HIPAA (Correct answer)
- The Controlled Substances Act (CSA)
- The Mental Health Parity Act
Correct answer: 42 CFR Part 2 and HIPAA
42 CFR Part 2 and HIPAA together govern the confidentiality of substance use disorder records, including those transmitted electronically.
Question 3: A client in a rural area has limited internet access but wants to participate in online support groups. What is the BEST initial step for the counselor?
- Refer the client only to in-person groups since technology is unavailable
- Assess available connectivity options and identify low-bandwidth alternatives (Correct answer)
- Enroll the client in a fully asynchronous email-only program
- Advise the client to purchase a new device with faster internet
Correct answer: Assess available connectivity options and identify low-bandwidth alternatives
Assessing actual connectivity and identifying alternatives (phone-based groups, text messaging, low-bandwidth platforms) promotes equitable access.
Question 4: Which of the following BEST describes the concept of 'digital literacy' as it applies to chemical dependency counseling?
- The ability of clients to read printed educational pamphlets about drugs
- The counselor's and client's ability to effectively use technology tools for treatment (Correct answer)
- Knowledge of computer programming languages used in EHR systems
- The legal right to access digital records under HIPAA
Correct answer: The counselor's and client's ability to effectively use technology tools for treatment
Digital literacy in counseling refers to the competency of both counselors and clients to use technology tools effectively in the treatment process.
Question 5: An online recovery forum accessible to the public posts a client's full name and details about their addiction. What should the counselor do FIRST?
- Contact the forum administrators to request removal of the post
- Report the breach to the client and document the incident immediately (Correct answer)
- Post a correction on behalf of the client to clarify the information
- Ignore the post since social media is not regulated by HIPAA
Correct answer: Report the breach to the client and document the incident immediately
The counselor's first duty is to notify the client and document the potential confidentiality breach before taking other corrective actions.
Question 6: Which feature of an electronic health record (EHR) system is MOST critical for protecting client confidentiality in a substance use disorder clinic?
- Color-coded appointment reminders
- Role-based access controls limiting who can view client records (Correct answer)
- Cloud-based storage for rapid data backup
- Integration with social media platforms for outreach
Correct answer: Role-based access controls limiting who can view client records
Role-based access controls ensure that only authorized staff can view sensitive substance use disorder records.
Question 7: A counselor uses a text-messaging platform to send appointment reminders to clients. To remain compliant with 42 CFR Part 2, the reminders should:
- Include the client's full diagnosis so they can review it before the session
- Contain only general information without revealing the nature of the treatment (Correct answer)
- Be sent to the client's emergency contact for verification
- Include the counselor's license number and agency name
Correct answer: Contain only general information without revealing the nature of the treatment
Text reminders must not disclose that a client is receiving substance use disorder treatment, to comply with 42 CFR Part 2 confidentiality requirements.
Chemical Dependency Counselor CCDC Exam Technology & Digital Applications 2
A counselor wants to use a smartphone app to help clients track cravings between sessions.
What is the MOST important ethical consideration before recommending the app?