CN Professional Ethics & Communication 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A nutritionist wants to use a client's dramatic before-and-after photos in marketing. What must occur first?
- Obtain the client's written, informed consent for that specific use (Correct answer)
- Blur the client's face in the photos
- Wait until the client is no longer an active client
- Verify the photos were taken on office premises
Correct answer: Obtain the client's written, informed consent for that specific use
Client images are confidential information and may only be used with explicit written consent for the stated purpose.
Question 2: Which statement in an advertisement would violate professional ethics standards for nutritionists?
- "Guaranteed to cure type 2 diabetes in 30 days" (Correct answer)
- "Personalized meal planning for busy families"
- "Board-certified nutrition specialist with 10 years of experience"
- "Evidence-based counseling for weight management"
Correct answer: "Guaranteed to cure type 2 diabetes in 30 days"
Guaranteeing cures is deceptive, claims treatment of disease beyond scope, and misrepresents outcomes.
Question 3: When documenting a client session, a nutritionist should record information that is:
- Objective, accurate, and relevant to the nutrition care provided (Correct answer)
- Detailed enough to include personal opinions about the client's character
- Brief enough to omit the client's stated goals
- Written only if the client requests documentation
Correct answer: Objective, accurate, and relevant to the nutrition care provided
Professional records must be factual, objective, and pertinent to protect both client and practitioner.
Question 4: A client tells their nutritionist they plan to stop taking prescribed insulin in favor of dietary changes alone. The nutritionist should:
- Urge the client to discuss any medication changes with their prescribing physician (Correct answer)
- Support the client's autonomy and adjust the meal plan accordingly
- Design a stricter carbohydrate protocol to replace the insulin
- Refuse to continue working with the client
Correct answer: Urge the client to discuss any medication changes with their prescribing physician
Medication decisions belong to the prescribing physician, and the nutritionist must direct the client back to that provider.
Question 5: Which behavior best demonstrates active listening during a counseling session?
- Paraphrasing the client's statements to confirm understanding (Correct answer)
- Preparing the next question while the client speaks
- Interrupting to correct nutrition misconceptions immediately
- Taking continuous notes without eye contact
Correct answer: Paraphrasing the client's statements to confirm understanding
Reflecting or paraphrasing shows the client they were heard and verifies accurate understanding.
Question 6: A nutritionist discovers they made a calculation error in a client's meal plan that was already delivered. The ethical course of action is to:
- Promptly inform the client, correct the error, and document the correction (Correct answer)
- Quietly fix the plan at the next scheduled appointment
- Only mention it if the client notices a problem
- Discard the record of the original plan
Correct answer: Promptly inform the client, correct the error, and document the correction
Honesty requires prompt disclosure and correction of errors, along with proper documentation.
Question 7: Entering a romantic relationship with a current client is considered unethical primarily because it:
- Creates a power imbalance that compromises professional objectivity (Correct answer)
- Violates federal nutrition labeling laws
- Requires additional liability insurance
- Extends session times beyond billing limits
Correct answer: Creates a power imbalance that compromises professional objectivity
Dual relationships exploit the inherent power differential and impair objective professional judgment.
CN Professional Ethics & Communication 3
A nutritionist wants to use a client's dramatic before-and-after photos in marketing.
What must occur first?