Free EPPP Test Ethical and Legal Standards Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A psychologist in a rural community is treating a client for anxiety. The client, who is also the only mechanic in town, offers to waive the fee for an urgent car repair in exchange for a therapy session. Which of the following ethical considerations is MOST relevant to this situation?
- Confidentiality and privileged communication
- Bartering and multiple relationships (Correct answer)
- Competence to practice
- Informed consent to therapy
Correct answer: Bartering and multiple relationships
This scenario involves a potential multiple relationship, specifically a bartering arrangement. According to the APA Ethics Code, Standard 6.05, psychologists may barter only when it is not clinically contraindicated and the resulting arrangement is not exploitative. Standard 3.05 on Multiple Relationships is also relevant, as the psychologist would be entering into a business relationship with a client in addition to the therapeutic one, which could impair objectivity or lead to exploitation.
Question 2: Dr. Evans, a clinical psychologist, is treating a client who reveals a specific and credible threat to harm a readily identifiable third party. According to the landmark case Tarasoff v. Regents of the University of California, what is Dr. Evans's primary legal obligation?
- To maintain absolute client confidentiality.
- To immediately hospitalize the client, voluntarily or involuntarily.
- To warn the potential victim and/or notify law enforcement. (Correct answer)
- To consult with a legal expert before taking any action.
Correct answer: To warn the potential victim and/or notify law enforcement.
The Tarasoff case established the "duty to protect." This legal precedent requires mental health professionals to take reasonable steps to protect a potential victim when a client presents a serious danger of violence. This duty may involve warning the intended victim, notifying the police, or taking other necessary steps to prevent harm, which overrides the principle of client confidentiality in this specific circumstance.
Question 3: Which of the following is given special protection under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Privacy Rule and generally requires a specific client authorization for release, even for treatment, payment, or healthcare operations?
- Test data
- Psychotherapy notes (Correct answer)
- The entire client record
- Billing and insurance information
Correct answer: Psychotherapy notes
The HIPAA Privacy Rule affords special protection to psychotherapy notes. These are defined as a psychologist's private notes that are kept separate from the rest of the client's medical record. Their disclosure generally requires a specific authorization from the client and they are not covered under the general consents for treatment, payment, and healthcare operations.
Question 4: A psychologist is asked to conduct a child custody evaluation. During the evaluation, the psychologist socializes with one of the parents at a local community event. This action would be considered unethical primarily because it constitutes a:
- Breach of confidentiality
- Lack of competence
- Harmful multiple relationship (Correct answer)
- Violation of informed consent
Correct answer: Harmful multiple relationship
Socializing with a parent involved in a custody evaluation creates a multiple relationship that could impair the psychologist's objectivity, competence, or effectiveness in performing their functions as a forensic evaluator. APA Ethical Standard 3.05 warns against entering into multiple relationships if they could reasonably be expected to cause impairment or risk exploitation or harm. In a forensic context like a custody evaluation, objectivity is paramount, and such a relationship compromises the integrity of the evaluation.
Question 5: The five General Principles of the APA Ethics Code are aspirational goals to guide psychologists toward the highest ideals of psychology. Which principle emphasizes truthfulness, honesty, and accuracy in the science, teaching, and practice of psychology?
- Beneficence and Nonmaleficence
- Fidelity and Responsibility
- Justice
- Integrity (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Integrity
Principle C: Integrity, promotes accuracy, honesty, and truthfulness in the professional activities of psychologists. This principle states that psychologists do not steal, cheat, or engage in fraud, subterfuge, or intentional misrepresentation of fact. The other principles relate to avoiding harm (Beneficence and Nonmaleficence), building trust (Fidelity and Responsibility), and ensuring fairness (Justice).
Question 6: A psychologist receives a subpoena for the complete clinical record of a client. The psychologist is ethically obligated to first:
- Release the records immediately as required by law.
- Contact the client to inform them of the subpoena and discuss options. (Correct answer)
- Refuse to release the records to protect client confidentiality.
- Consult with the court to have the subpoena quashed.
Correct answer: Contact the client to inform them of the subpoena and discuss options.
When presented with a legal demand for records, a psychologist's first responsibility is to their client. The psychologist should contact the client (or their attorney), inform them of the request, and determine the client's wishes. This step is crucial before taking any other action. Depending on the client's wishes and legal advice, the psychologist may then assert privilege, seek to have the subpoena modified, or release the records with the client's informed consent. Releasing records without consulting the client could be a breach of confidentiality.
Free EPPP Test Ethical and Legal Standards Questions and Answers
A psychologist in a rural community is treating a client for anxiety.
The client, who is also the only mechanic in town, offers to waive the fee for an urgent car repair in exchange for a therapy session.
Which of the following ethical considerations is MOST relevant to this situation?