DSP - Direct Support Professional Individual Rights and Advocacy Questions and Answers

Question 1

A DSP is supporting an individual who wants to try a new community activity that involves a degree of physical risk.
The individual's family is strongly opposed, citing safety concerns.
What is the DSP's primary responsibility in this situation?

Accepted Answer

To honor the individual's right to make choices and assume risk in an informed manner.

Answer

To implement the family's decision to ensure the individual's safety.

Answer

To decide for the individual that the activity is too dangerous.

Answer

To avoid the conflict by finding a different, safer activity.

Question 2

Which of the following is the BEST example of a DSP promoting self-advocacy for an individual?

Accepted Answer

Role-playing with the individual to practice expressing their needs and preferences for an upcoming ISP meeting.

Answer

Speaking on behalf of the individual at all of their medical appointments.

Answer

Making a list of the individual's needs and giving it to their service coordinator.

Answer

Deciding which community activities are best for the individual and signing them up.

Question 3

An individual has a legal guardian who makes all major life decisions. The individual expresses a desire to change their daily schedule, which conflicts with the guardian's instructions. The DSP should:

Accepted Answer

Facilitate a conversation between the individual and their guardian to discuss the desired change.

Answer

Immediately implement the individual's desired schedule change.

Answer

Inform the guardian that they must follow the individual's wishes.

Answer

Tell the individual their preference is not possible because of the guardianship.

Question 4

The principle of "due process" in the context of direct support services ensures that:

Accepted Answer

Individuals are protected from having their rights restricted without a formal review process.

Answer

DSPs receive their paychecks on time.

Answer

All individuals must have a court-appointed guardian.

Answer

Service agencies can change an individual's support plan at any time.

Question 5

A core component of 'informed consent' is that the individual:

Accepted Answer

Voluntarily agrees to a service after understanding its purpose, risks, benefits, and alternatives.

Answer

Agrees to the service because their family wants them to.

Answer

Signs a form, regardless of their understanding.

Answer

Is legally required to accept all recommended services.

Question 6

A DSP's primary allegiance, according to the NADSP Code of Ethics, is to:

Accepted Answer

The person they support.

Answer

The service agency's policies and procedures.

Answer

The individual's legal guardian or family.

Answer

State and federal regulations.