SDI Professional Standards & Ethics 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the primary purpose of a code of ethics in SDI practice?
- To establish professional standards of conduct and guide decision-making in ethical dilemmas (Correct answer)
- To set pricing for services
- To define office hours
- To determine salary structures
Correct answer: To establish professional standards of conduct and guide decision-making in ethical dilemmas
A code of ethics provides a framework of professional values and behavioral standards that guides practitioners in making ethical decisions, maintaining public trust, and upholding the integrity of the profession.
Question 2: In SDI practice, what is a conflict of interest?
- A situation where personal interests could compromise professional judgment or objectivity (Correct answer)
- A disagreement between colleagues about procedures
- A scheduling conflict between meetings
- A difference of opinion about project priorities
Correct answer: A situation where personal interests could compromise professional judgment or objectivity
A conflict of interest occurs when a professional's personal, financial, or other interests could potentially influence or appear to influence their professional judgment, decisions, or actions.
Question 3: What should a SDI professional do when they discover an ethical violation by a colleague?
- Report through appropriate organizational channels while documenting the observed behavior (Correct answer)
- Ignore it to maintain workplace harmony
- Confront the colleague publicly
- Post about it on social media
Correct answer: Report through appropriate organizational channels while documenting the observed behavior
Professionals have an ethical obligation to report violations through proper channels (supervisor, ethics committee, licensing board). Documentation of observations ensures accuracy and supports the investigation process.
Question 4: What does professional competency require of a SDI practitioner?
- Maintaining current knowledge through continuing education and practicing only within areas of qualification (Correct answer)
- Accepting all work regardless of qualifications
- Learning only during formal schooling
- Relying solely on initial certification training
Correct answer: Maintaining current knowledge through continuing education and practicing only within areas of qualification
Professional competency requires practitioners to maintain current knowledge through ongoing education, stay informed about developments in their field, and only practice within the boundaries of their demonstrated competence.
Question 5: In SDI practice, what is informed consent?
- Providing complete information about services, risks, and alternatives so clients can make voluntary decisions (Correct answer)
- Having clients sign paperwork without explanation
- Verbal agreement without documentation
- Consent given by a third party
Correct answer: Providing complete information about services, risks, and alternatives so clients can make voluntary decisions
Informed consent requires that clients receive clear, complete information about proposed services, potential risks, expected outcomes, and available alternatives, enabling them to make truly voluntary and knowledgeable decisions.
Question 6: What is the SDI professional's obligation regarding confidentiality?
- Protecting client information and disclosing only with authorization or when legally required (Correct answer)
- Sharing information freely with other professionals
- Posting client achievements publicly as marketing
- Discussing cases with family members
Correct answer: Protecting client information and disclosing only with authorization or when legally required
Confidentiality requires professionals to protect all client information from unauthorized disclosure, sharing only with the client's explicit consent or when required by law (e.g., mandatory reporting of abuse or imminent danger).
SDI Professional Standards & Ethics 1
What is the primary purpose of a code of ethics in SDI practice?