CPS CPS Ethics & Professional Standards 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which national organization publishes the Code of Ethics most widely used by Certified Prevention Specialists in the United States?
- NAADAC
- IC&RC (Correct answer)
- SAMHSA
- CSAP
Correct answer: IC&RC
IC&RC (International Certification & Reciprocity Consortium) publishes the ethical standards that guide credentialed prevention specialists.
Question 2: A prevention specialist learns that a colleague is billing for services never rendered. The most appropriate first action is to:
- Ignore it to avoid conflict
- Confront the colleague privately
- Report the concern through established ethical or supervisory channels (Correct answer)
- Alert the media immediately
Correct answer: Report the concern through established ethical or supervisory channels
Ethical codes require prevention professionals to report fraudulent billing through proper supervisory or organizational channels.
Question 3: Confidentiality in prevention services is governed primarily by:
- The ADA
- 42 CFR Part 2 and HIPAA (Correct answer)
- The Sarbanes-Oxley Act
- FERPA alone
Correct answer: 42 CFR Part 2 and HIPAA
42 CFR Part 2 and HIPAA together set the federal confidentiality rules most relevant to substance use prevention and treatment settings.
Question 4: Cultural competence in prevention practice primarily means:
- Speaking multiple languages fluently
- Understanding and respecting the cultural backgrounds of the populations served (Correct answer)
- Following the majority cultural norms
- Avoiding cultural topics entirely
Correct answer: Understanding and respecting the cultural backgrounds of the populations served
Cultural competence requires prevention specialists to understand, respect, and integrate the cultural values of communities they serve.
Question 5: A dual relationship in prevention work occurs when a specialist:
- Works in two different agencies simultaneously
- Has both a professional and personal relationship with a client or participant (Correct answer)
- Provides services in two counties
- Holds two certifications
Correct answer: Has both a professional and personal relationship with a client or participant
A dual relationship involves both a professional and personal connection to a participant, creating potential bias or harm.
Question 6: The primary purpose of professional supervision for a CPS is to:
- Monitor employee attendance
- Ensure ethical, effective, and competent service delivery (Correct answer)
- Handle administrative paperwork
- Set staff schedules
Correct answer: Ensure ethical, effective, and competent service delivery
Supervision in prevention ensures practitioners maintain ethical standards and deliver evidence-based, competent services.
CPS CPS Ethics & Professional Standards 1
Which national organization publishes the Code of Ethics most widely used by Certified Prevention Specialists in the United States?