SAC Ethical & Legal Standards 3

Question 1

The concept of 'duty to warn' most commonly refers to a counselor's obligation to:

Accepted Answer

Notify potential victims when a client poses a credible threat of harm to them

Answer

The duty to warn, stemming from the Tarasoff v. Regents of University of California case, requires counselors to take steps to protect identifiable third parties from serious, credible threats.

Question 2

Which of the following best defines 'informed consent' in the context of a student assistance program?

Accepted Answer

The student and/or guardian receives and understands information about services, rights, and limitations before agreeing to participate

Answer

Informed consent requires that participants understand the nature of services, confidentiality limits, voluntary participation, and their rights before agreeing to proceed.

Question 3

A SAC counselor who exceeds the boundaries of their competence by providing intensive trauma therapy without proper training is violating which ethical principle?

Accepted Answer

Nonmaleficence

Answer

Nonmaleficence — 'do no harm' — is violated when counselors practice beyond their training, potentially harming the client through incompetent services.

Question 4

When a minor student has a different legal status in different states due to varying age-of-consent laws, the SAC counselor should primarily rely on:

Accepted Answer

The laws of the state where services are being provided

Answer

Counselors must follow the laws of the jurisdiction in which they are providing services, as there is no single federal standard for minor consent in most counseling contexts.

Question 5

A student discloses ongoing marijuana use but poses no danger to self or others. The SAC counselor should:

Accepted Answer

Maintain confidentiality unless a specific mandatory reporting law requires otherwise

Answer

While substance use may be illegal, it typically does not trigger mandatory reporting unless the student meets criteria for imminent danger; the counselor should follow applicable state law and ethics codes.

(SAC) Student Assistance Counselor Certification Practice Test

(SAC) Student Assistance Counselor Certification Practice Test

SAC Ethical & Legal Standards 3