CPCA Ethics & Confidentiality in Care Services 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: You accidentally overhear a supervisor discussing another client's private health details. What should you do?
- Ask the supervisor questions about that client to learn more
- Share what you heard with coworkers who care for the same client
- Keep the information confidential and do not repeat it (Correct answer)
- Document the conversation in your own records for future reference
Correct answer: Keep the information confidential and do not repeat it
Accidentally overheard confidential information must be kept private; sharing it would violate that client's privacy rights.
Question 2: Which behavior demonstrates respect for a client's dignity during personal care?
- Leaving the bathroom door open to monitor the client more easily
- Explaining each step of care and asking permission before proceeding (Correct answer)
- Rushing through bathing to finish tasks on time
- Discussing the client's hygiene issues with other clients in the home
Correct answer: Explaining each step of care and asking permission before proceeding
Explaining care steps and seeking permission before each action upholds the client's dignity and right to informed consent.
Question 3: A client gives you a signed note allowing you to share their health information with their neighbor. What should you do?
- Share the information since there is a signed note
- Verify the authorization with your supervisor before sharing any information (Correct answer)
- Refuse because health information can never be shared with non-family
- Share only verbal information, not written records
Correct answer: Verify the authorization with your supervisor before sharing any information
Even with a signed note, authorization for sharing PHI should be verified through your supervisor or agency policy to ensure it meets legal requirements.
Question 4: Which scenario best illustrates the ethical principle of non-maleficence for a personal care aide?
- Assisting a client with exercises they enjoy even if the aide finds them tedious
- Refusing to perform a task that exceeds your training and could harm the client (Correct answer)
- Completing all tasks quickly to give the client more free time
- Sharing client information to help a coworker provide better care
Correct answer: Refusing to perform a task that exceeds your training and could harm the client
Non-maleficence means 'do no harm'; refusing tasks outside your scope of practice prevents potential injury to the client.
Question 5: A client discloses they are thinking about ending their life. What is your immediate obligation?
- Keep it confidential because the client shared it privately
- Discuss it with other clients in the home to get their perspective
- Report it immediately to your supervisor as a safety emergency (Correct answer)
- Wait to see if the client mentions it again before acting
Correct answer: Report it immediately to your supervisor as a safety emergency
Suicidal ideation is a safety emergency that must be reported to a supervisor immediately; confidentiality does not protect information about imminent harm.
Question 6: What does 'scope of practice' mean for a personal care aide?
- The geographic area where you are allowed to work
- The specific tasks you are legally trained and authorized to perform (Correct answer)
- The number of clients you can care for at one time
- The type of equipment you are allowed to purchase for clients
Correct answer: The specific tasks you are legally trained and authorized to perform
Scope of practice defines the tasks a personal care aide is legally and professionally authorized to perform based on their training and certification.
Question 7: A client asks you to witness their will and sign it. What should you do?
- Sign it since you know the client well and trust their wishes
- Sign it only if the client's family is present
- Decline and advise the client to contact a lawyer or notary (Correct answer)
- Ask your supervisor if you can sign on behalf of the agency
Correct answer: Decline and advise the client to contact a lawyer or notary
Witnessing legal documents like wills is outside a personal care aide's scope of practice and creates serious boundary and legal issues.
CPCA Ethics & Confidentiality in Care Services 3
You accidentally overhear a supervisor discussing another client's private health details.
What should you do?