Relias Professional Standards and Ethics 3

Question 1

Which document legally designates a person to make healthcare decisions for a patient who loses decision-making capacity?

Accepted Answer

Durable power of attorney for healthcare

Answer

A durable power of attorney for healthcare legally authorizes a surrogate decision-maker when the patient cannot make their own decisions.

Question 2

A social worker learns during a session that a client plans to harm a specific third party. The professional's ethical and legal obligation is to:

Accepted Answer

Warn the potential victim and notify appropriate authorities (duty to warn)

Answer

Under the duty to warn (Tarasoff doctrine), clinicians must take steps to protect identifiable third parties from credible threats.

Question 3

Cultural competence in healthcare primarily involves:

Accepted Answer

Understanding and respecting the cultural beliefs, values, and practices of patients to deliver effective care

Answer

Cultural competence means recognizing and integrating patients' cultural contexts into care delivery to improve outcomes and respect dignity.

Question 4

An ethical dilemma in healthcare most accurately refers to a situation where:

Accepted Answer

Two or more ethical principles conflict, making the right course of action unclear

Answer

An ethical dilemma arises when competing ethical obligations (e.g., autonomy vs. beneficence) point toward different courses of action.

Question 5

What is the primary purpose of a professional code of ethics?

Accepted Answer

To provide guidance on acceptable professional behavior and protect the public

Answer

Codes of ethics set standards for professional conduct, guide decision-making, and serve as a public commitment to responsible practice.

(Relias) Relias Certification Practice Test