CRA Professional Standards & Ethics 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which behavior reflects a CRA upholding the ethical principle of 'non-maleficence'?
- Introducing high-risk activities without participant screening
- Modifying an activity to eliminate unnecessary physical risk (Correct answer)
- Skipping safety checks to save time
- Allowing participants to use broken equipment
Correct answer: Modifying an activity to eliminate unnecessary physical risk
Non-maleficence means 'do no harm,' requiring CRAs to minimize risks during all programming.
Question 2: A CRA discovers a colleague falsifying attendance records. The MOST ethical course of action is to:
- Help falsify records to support the colleague
- Ignore the behavior since it does not affect participants directly
- Report the behavior to a supervisor or through proper channels (Correct answer)
- Confront the colleague publicly in front of participants
Correct answer: Report the behavior to a supervisor or through proper channels
Falsifying records is unethical and potentially illegal; reporting through proper channels upholds professional standards and protects the organization.
Question 3: What is the primary purpose of a professional code of ethics in recreation services?
- To set pay scales for recreation aides
- To provide a framework for ethical decision-making and professional conduct (Correct answer)
- To outline only the legal requirements for the job
- To rank staff by performance
Correct answer: To provide a framework for ethical decision-making and professional conduct
A code of ethics guides professionals in making decisions that protect participants, uphold standards, and maintain public trust.
Question 4: A CRA working with an older adult population should be especially attentive to avoiding:
- Offering too many activity choices
- Ageism and stereotypical assumptions about participants' abilities (Correct answer)
- Scheduling activities during daylight hours
- Using adaptive equipment
Correct answer: Ageism and stereotypical assumptions about participants' abilities
Ageism can lead to underestimating participants' abilities and limiting their opportunities, which violates principles of respect and equity.
Question 5: When a CRA is uncertain about whether an action is ethically appropriate, the best first step is to:
- Proceed based on personal judgment alone
- Consult the professional code of ethics and seek supervisor guidance (Correct answer)
- Ask other participants for their opinion
- Delay action indefinitely
Correct answer: Consult the professional code of ethics and seek supervisor guidance
Consulting established ethical guidelines and supervisors ensures decisions align with professional standards and organizational policies.
Question 6: Which of the following best illustrates the concept of 'justice' in recreation programming?
- Offering premium activities only to top-performing participants
- Providing equitable access to programming regardless of ability or background (Correct answer)
- Punishing disruptive participants by removing all privileges
- Assigning activities based on staff convenience
Correct answer: Providing equitable access to programming regardless of ability or background
Justice requires fair and equitable treatment, ensuring all participants have access to appropriate recreation opportunities.
Question 7: A CRA who accepts a gift from a participant's family is potentially violating which professional standard?
- Documentation requirements
- Boundaries and conflict of interest policies (Correct answer)
- Activity planning guidelines
- Scheduling protocols
Correct answer: Boundaries and conflict of interest policies
Accepting gifts can create conflicts of interest and blurs professional boundaries, which most facility policies prohibit.
CRA Professional Standards & Ethics 3
Which behavior reflects a CRA upholding the ethical principle of 'non-maleficence'?