CPI Ethical & Legal Compliance 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A client in crisis refuses a recommended intervention. Under the ethical principle of autonomy, what is the appropriate staff response?
- Override the refusal because safety comes first in all cases
- Respect the refusal unless the client poses an imminent danger (Correct answer)
- Immediately contact law enforcement to compel compliance
- Document the refusal and discharge the client
Correct answer: Respect the refusal unless the client poses an imminent danger
Autonomy must be respected unless the client presents an imminent danger to themselves or others, which may legally justify intervention.
Question 2: What is 'respondeat superior' and how does it apply to crisis intervention settings?
- A doctrine allowing staff to use superior force when necessary
- An employer's legal liability for employee actions performed within their scope of employment (Correct answer)
- A client's right to refuse treatment by a supervisor
- A legal standard requiring supervisors to respond to all crises
Correct answer: An employer's legal liability for employee actions performed within their scope of employment
Respondeat superior holds employers liable for employees' wrongful acts committed within the scope of their employment.
Question 3: Which of the following constitutes a mandatory reporting obligation for most CPI-trained professionals in the US?
- A client expressing frustration with a family member
- Suspected child abuse or neglect disclosed during a session (Correct answer)
- A client's prior criminal history
- A staff member's personal relationship difficulties
Correct answer: Suspected child abuse or neglect disclosed during a session
Mandatory reporting laws in all US states require professionals to report suspected child abuse or neglect regardless of confidentiality.
Question 4: Which ethical framework is most consistent with CPI's Care, Welfare, Safety, and Security model?
- Ethical egoism
- Rights-based deontological ethics combined with beneficence (Correct answer)
- Pure utilitarian calculus with no individual rights consideration
- Virtue ethics focused solely on staff character
Correct answer: Rights-based deontological ethics combined with beneficence
CPI's CWSS model reflects rights-based ethics (respecting the individual) and beneficence (acting in their welfare and safety).
Question 5: An organization trains staff in a physical intervention technique not approved by its accrediting body. What is the legal exposure?
- None, as long as the technique works effectively
- Potential negligence claims and loss of accreditation status (Correct answer)
- Liability only if the client suffers visible injury
- Exposure limited to civil but never criminal liability
Correct answer: Potential negligence claims and loss of accreditation status
Using non-approved techniques can constitute negligence and jeopardize accreditation, exposing the organization to significant legal risk.
Question 6: A staff member suspects a coworker is falsifying restraint documentation. Under CPI ethics, the appropriate course of action is to:
- Alter the records themselves to reflect what actually happened
- Report the concern to a supervisor or compliance officer (Correct answer)
- Discuss the issue only with trusted colleagues
- Wait for an official audit to surface the discrepancy
Correct answer: Report the concern to a supervisor or compliance officer
Suspected documentation fraud must be reported to supervisory or compliance channels to protect client safety and organizational integrity.
Question 7: What does 'informed consent' require before implementing a behavior intervention plan that may include physical interventions?
- Only verbal agreement from the client
- A written explanation of risks, alternatives, and the right to refuse, with documented agreement (Correct answer)
- Staff consensus that the plan is appropriate
- Administrator approval with no client involvement needed
Correct answer: A written explanation of risks, alternatives, and the right to refuse, with documented agreement
Informed consent requires disclosure of risks and alternatives, comprehension by the individual, and voluntary documented agreement.
CPI Ethical & Legal Compliance 3
A client in crisis refuses a recommended intervention.
Under the ethical principle of autonomy, what is the appropriate staff response?