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

The ACA Code of Ethics (Section H.2) requires counselors who have knowledge of an ethical violation to take appropriate action, which may include consulting, reporting to licensing boards, or supervisor notification, especially when clients are being harmed.

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

Nonmaleficence means 'do no harm.' In counseling, this includes avoiding harmful, discredited, or evidence-contradicting techniques that could cause psychological damage to clients.

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

The Tarasoff duty to protect (1976) established that therapists have an obligation to warn identifiable third parties when a client poses a credible, imminent threat to their safety. This is a recognized exception to confidentiality.

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 dual relationship (also called a multiple relationship) exists when a counselor has two distinct roles with the same person. Living near a client is not automatically unethical but requires careful consideration of potential harm, the counselor's objectivity, and the client's welfare.

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

HIPAA provides psychotherapy notes (process notes) with extra protection. They are kept separate from the medical record and require a specific, separate authorization for disclosure -- general medical release forms do not cover them.

NCE Exam Practice Test

NCE Exam Practice Test

NCE Professional Ethics 2