NCE Professional Ethics 2

Question 1

A counselor discovers that a colleague is having a sexual relationship with a current client. According to the ACA Code of Ethics, what is the counselor's PRIMARY obligation?

Accepted Answer

Take steps to address the situation, which may include reporting to licensing boards or supervisors

Answer

Report the colleague directly to law enforcement

Answer

Do nothing unless the client files a formal complaint

Answer

Confront the colleague privately and take no further action

Question 2

Which of the following BEST illustrates the ethical principle of 'nonmaleficence' in counseling?

Accepted Answer

Avoiding techniques that are not supported by evidence and could harm the client

Answer

Advocating for a client's access to mental health services

Answer

Respecting a client's right to make their own decisions

Answer

Treating all clients with equal care and fairness

Question 3

When is it ethically permissible for a counselor to break confidentiality without the client's consent?

Accepted Answer

When the client poses a serious and foreseeable danger to an identifiable third party

Answer

When a family member demands information about the client's treatment

Answer

When the counselor believes the client made a poor life decision

Answer

When the counselor is billing insurance and needs to share detailed session notes

Question 4

A counselor's client is also the counselor's neighbor. This situation represents:

Accepted Answer

A potential dual relationship that requires careful ethical decision-making

Answer

A boundary crossing that is necessarily unethical

Answer

An acceptable arrangement as long as both parties agree

Answer

A conflict that requires immediate termination of the counseling relationship

Question 5

Under HIPAA, a counselor's psychotherapy notes have which level of protection compared to other medical records?

Accepted Answer

Greater protection -- they require specific authorization separate from general release

Answer

Less protection -- insurance companies can always access them for billing

Answer

The same protection as other health information in the medical record

Answer

No legal protection in most states

Question 6

A counselor is working with a client who is terminally ill and wants to discuss the option of physician-assisted dying. The MOST ethical response is to:

Accepted Answer

Explore the client's concerns openly, provide information about all options, and respect client autonomy

Answer

Refer the client immediately because this topic falls outside counseling scope

Answer

Refuse to discuss the topic as it conflicts with the counselor's personal values

Answer

Report the client's statements to their physician without consent