Professional Ethics and Conduct Flashcards

A professional notices a coworker is impaired at work. The most ethical response is to:

Answer: Report the situation to a supervisor or follow workplace protocols

Reporting impairment protects clients, the public, and the coworker from serious harm.

What is 'informed consent' in a professional context?

Answer: A client agreeing to services after being fully informed of risks, benefits, and alternatives

Informed consent ensures clients make voluntary, knowledgeable decisions about professional services.

Which of the following is an example of a 'dual relationship' that could be ethically problematic?

Answer: A therapist who also employs their client at their private business

Dual relationships blur professional boundaries and can compromise objectivity and the client's wellbeing.

A professional discovers a significant error in their work after delivering it to a client. The ethical course of action is to:

Answer: Promptly disclose the error and work to correct it

Timely disclosure of errors upholds honesty and gives the client the opportunity to seek correction.

What does 'scope of practice' mean in professional ethics?

Answer: The range of tasks and responsibilities a professional is trained and authorized to perform

Scope of practice defines the boundaries of what a professional is qualified to do safely and legally.

A client offers a professional a percentage of profits if their advice succeeds. This arrangement most raises concerns about:

Answer: Independence and objectivity of professional advice

Contingency-based compensation can bias advice toward outcomes that benefit the professional rather than the client.

Which behavior exemplifies 'integrity' in professional conduct?

Answer: Consistently acting in accordance with ethical principles regardless of personal cost

Integrity means adhering to moral principles consistently, not just when convenient or observed.