Ethics and Professional Standards Flashcards

A psychologist is ending a long-term therapy relationship due to relocation. Which action is MOST consistent with ethical termination?

Answer: Providing adequate pre-termination notice, offering referrals, and ensuring continuity of care

APA Standard 10.09 requires psychologists to take reasonable steps to facilitate transfer of care, including referrals and pretermination counseling.

The concept of 'cultural humility' in professional ethics requires psychologists to:

Answer: Engage in ongoing self-reflection about power, privilege, and cultural biases in the therapeutic relationship

Cultural humility emphasizes lifelong learning, self-critique, and acknowledging power imbalances, rather than claiming cultural expertise.

A psychologist is conducting neuropsychological testing on a client referred by an attorney. The attorney asks the psychologist to omit findings that are unfavorable to the client's case. The psychologist should:

Answer: Refuse and include all relevant findings, even if unfavorable, in the report

Psychologists must report findings accurately and completely; selectively omitting data at a retaining party's request violates objectivity and honesty standards.

Under the APA Ethics Code, which of the following represents a MANDATORY reporting situation rather than a permissive one?

Answer: A psychologist identifying child abuse involving a minor client

Mandatory child abuse reporting laws require psychologists to report known or reasonably suspected child abuse, overriding confidentiality.

A psychologist receives a gift from a client at the end of a successful therapy course. According to APA ethics, the psychologist should:

Answer: Consider the clinical significance, cultural context, monetary value, and therapeutic implications before deciding

APA ethics do not prohibit accepting gifts absolutely; the psychologist must use clinical judgment considering context, meaning, and exploitation risk.

Which of the following scenarios best illustrates a violation of the 'principle of fidelity and responsibility' in the APA Ethics Code?

Answer: A psychologist who secretly bills a client's insurance for services not rendered

Fraudulent billing violates fidelity by betraying trust and responsibility by failing to uphold professional standards and obligations.

A psychologist working in a primary care integrated behavioral health setting learns that a patient's physician has made a treatment error. The psychologist's ethical obligation is to:

Answer: Address patient safety concerns through appropriate institutional channels while maintaining interprofessional respect

In integrated settings, psychologists address patient safety through appropriate institutional processes, balancing advocacy with professional consultation norms.