HSP Medical Ethics & Patient Rights 3

Question 1

A 15-year-old seeks treatment for substance abuse without parental knowledge, which is permitted under state law. The parent later contacts the psychologist demanding information. What should the psychologist do?

Accepted Answer

Decline to disclose, respecting the minor's legally protected confidentiality in this context

Answer

Many states grant minors the right to consent to substance abuse treatment without parental involvement, and this statutory privilege overrides general parental access rights.

Question 2

Which doctrine requires that patients receive sufficient information about risks, benefits, and alternatives before consenting to a procedure?

Accepted Answer

Informed consent

Answer

Informed consent requires disclosure of material information so a competent patient can make a voluntary, knowledgeable decision about proposed treatment.

Question 3

A psychologist's client reveals they are HIV-positive and is sexually active with a partner who does not know the diagnosis. The client refuses to disclose. What is the psychologist's BEST course of action under the APA Ethics Code?

Accepted Answer

Use clinical judgment, consult, and consider applicable law before deciding whether to disclose

Answer

APA Ethics Code 4.05 permits (but does not require) disclosure to protect third parties; the psychologist must weigh duty to protect, applicable state law, and clinical factors.

Question 4

Which of the following best describes 'therapeutic privilege' as an exception to informed consent?

Accepted Answer

A clinician withholding information when disclosure would likely cause direct harm that outweighs the benefit of disclosure

Answer

Therapeutic privilege is a narrow doctrine permitting non-disclosure when revealing certain information would foreseeably and substantially harm the patient, though it is applied very restrictively.

Question 5

A patient demands to review their psychotherapy notes. Under HIPAA, how are these notes treated differently from the general medical record?

Accepted Answer

Psychotherapy notes are carved out from HIPAA's patient access right and may be withheld

Answer

HIPAA specifically exempts 'psychotherapy notes' (process notes kept separate from the medical record) from the patient's general right of access to their records.

(HSP) Certified Health Service Psychologist Practice Test

(HSP) Certified Health Service Psychologist Practice Test

HSP Medical Ethics & Patient Rights 3