CRC Ethics 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A CRC discovers a client has been misrepresenting their disability status to receive benefits. What is the most ethically appropriate first step?
- Report the client to authorities immediately
- Discuss the situation with the client and explore the reasons behind the misrepresentation (Correct answer)
- Terminate services immediately without explanation
- Ignore the issue to preserve the therapeutic relationship
Correct answer: Discuss the situation with the client and explore the reasons behind the misrepresentation
The CRC Code of Ethics requires counselors to address client behaviors that may be harmful or illegal by first discussing the issue directly with the client.
Question 2: Under the CRC Code of Ethics, dual relationships are:
- Always prohibited under any circumstances
- Acceptable when they benefit the client
- Generally avoided but sometimes unavoidable in small communities, requiring counselor vigilance (Correct answer)
- Encouraged to build stronger therapeutic alliances
Correct answer: Generally avoided but sometimes unavoidable in small communities, requiring counselor vigilance
The CRC Code acknowledges that dual relationships may be unavoidable in rural or small communities, requiring counselors to manage potential conflicts carefully.
Question 3: When a rehabilitation counselor suspects a client is being abused but the client has not disclosed this, the counselor should:
- Do nothing unless the client voluntarily discloses abuse
- Follow mandatory reporting laws applicable to their jurisdiction (Correct answer)
- Confront the alleged abuser directly
- Transfer the client to another counselor
Correct answer: Follow mandatory reporting laws applicable to their jurisdiction
Counselors are obligated to follow mandatory reporting laws regarding abuse, which supersede confidentiality in most jurisdictions.
Question 4: A client requests access to their own rehabilitation records. According to ethical standards, the counselor should:
- Deny access to prevent potential harm from misinterpretation
- Grant access as clients have the right to inspect their own records (Correct answer)
- Require the client to obtain a court order
- Provide only a verbal summary, not the actual records
Correct answer: Grant access as clients have the right to inspect their own records
The CRC Code of Ethics affirms clients' rights to access their own records, consistent with HIPAA and other privacy regulations.
Question 5: Which ethical principle is most directly violated when a counselor makes decisions for a client without consulting them?
- Fidelity
- Nonmaleficence
- Autonomy (Correct answer)
- Justice
Correct answer: Autonomy
Autonomy refers to respecting clients' rights to make their own decisions, which is violated when counselors act paternalistically.
Question 6: A CRC is asked to provide expert testimony in a legal case involving a former client. The counselor should:
- Refuse because the attorney-client privilege extends to rehabilitation counselors
- Obtain a release of information from the client before disclosing any information (Correct answer)
- Testify freely since the therapeutic relationship has ended
- Only testify if subpoenaed, and then disclose everything known about the client
Correct answer: Obtain a release of information from the client before disclosing any information
Confidentiality obligations persist after the counseling relationship ends, so a release of information is required before disclosing client information.
Question 7: The ethical concept of 'informed consent' in rehabilitation counseling primarily means:
- The client signs a standard form before services begin
- The client fully understands the nature, risks, benefits, and alternatives of services before agreeing (Correct answer)
- The client's family approves of the treatment plan
- The referral source consents to the services being provided
Correct answer: The client fully understands the nature, risks, benefits, and alternatives of services before agreeing
True informed consent requires that clients receive and comprehend complete information about services, including risks, benefits, and alternatives, before agreeing to participate.
CRC Ethics 2
A CRC discovers a client has been misrepresenting their disability status to receive benefits.
What is the most ethically appropriate first step?