Chapter Six Test Bank Questions
1. When suspecting child abuse, it is the primary responsibility of the counselor, first and
foremost, to:
a. preserve trust within the therapeutic relationship
b. report the suspicion
c. investigate the allegation
d. determine with the allegation is substantiated or unsubstantiated
2. Josephine tells her counselor that she is depressed over the break-up of her relationship
and” just wishes she could go to sleep and never wake up.” In this case, the counselor
needs to:
a. immediately seek this client’s involuntary admission to a psychiatric hospital.
b. further assess this client to determine if she is suicidal and intervene according to
level of risk.
c. recongnize the “cry for help” and not overreact to the literal meaning of this
client’s statement.
d. ask this client if there is any chance for reconciliation of the relationship.
3. In which of the following situations is it not appropriate to break confidentiality?
a. when a client is determined to be a risk to others
b. in legal proceedings for the involuntary hospitalization of a client
c. upon the request for information from the referral source
d. when you suspect child abuse
4. Margaret is in a counselor education program and frequently discusses personal problems
with her supervisor. In ethical supervisory relationships, the purpose of such self-
disclosure would be:
a. for the supervisor to conduct individual counseling with Margaret.
b. to facilitate Margaret’s ability to work successfully with clients.
c. to solve Margaret’s problems so she can work more effectively with her clients.
d. to create necessary dependence for adequate supervision to occur.
5. Which of the following statements is the best statement of accepted ethical guidelines
regarding counselor social or personal relationships with clients?
a. Therapists are advised to avoid such dual relationships with clients.
b. Friendships with clients always have positive benefits for the therapeutic
relationship.
c. Any form of relationship with a client always damages a therapeutic relationship.
d. Such dual relationships are not only unprofessional and unethical, but illegal.
6. Dual/multiple relationships are generally discouraged because:
a. these relationships can entail a conflict of interest.
b. such relationships always impair professional judgment.
c. these is a danger of exploiting the client.
d. all of the above
e. (a) and (c) only
7. Professional licensure assures consumers that the licensee:
a. has successfully completed his or her own personal counseling.
b. has completed the maximum training available.
c. is very competent in all areas of professional practice.
d. has met the minimal requirements of education, training, and experience as
identified in the specific state law.
8. The overlap of the ethics codes and the law allows professionals to:
a. Pick and choose what fits their practice
b. Understand their right as professionals
c. Have specific guidelines on how to not be sued
d. Act autonomously, while protection the rights of others
9. Professional competence in counseling is best demonstrated by all of the following
except:
a. possession of several memberships to professional organizations (e.g., ACA.
AMHCA, APA).
b. fulfillment of appropriate and/or required academic training as specified by the
state and profession.
c. possession of state licensure in profession that you practice.
d. professional certification in the profession that you practice (e.g., CCMHC, NCC,
etc.).
10. Which of the following credentialing mechanisms provides the least protection to the
public?
a. registry
b. certification
c. licensure
11. Mental health counselors are obliged to monitor:
a. their own professional behavior as well as that of their peers
b. their own professional behavior
c. their client’s behavior
12. Legal rules for what the government considers to be illegal behavior is referred to as:
a. civil law.
b. criminal law.
c. federal regulations.
d. peer control mechanisms.
13. Which of the following basic moral principles refers to the avoidance of doing intentional
or unintentional harm?
a. veracity
b. beneficience
c. nonmaleficience
d. fidelity
14. Which of the following basic moral principles refers to the practice of honoring
commitments and keeping promises?
a. veracity
b. beneficience
c. nonmaleficience
d. fidelity
15. The principle of informed consent is applicable mainly:
a. prior to the beginning stages of treatment.
b. at the initial stages of counseling.
c. during the action phase of counseling.
d. to all stages of the counseling process.
16. It is usually adequate to gain the informed consent of clients by having them read and
sign a sheet of information that discusses the concepts, procedures and implications of the
counseling process.
a. true
b. false
17. Which of the following situations may the client be unable to give informed consent to
treatment?
a. the client is a minor and parental or guardian consent is required
b. the client is so impaired that he or she is unaware of the need for treatment
c. treatment is court-ordered
d. all of the above
18. Which of the following terms or concepts refers to the legal obligation to protect clients
against forced disclosure in a legal proceeding?
a. privacy
b. confidentiality
c. privileged communication
d. taking the 5th amendment
19. The right of confidentiality is an absolute.
a. true
b. false
20. Counselors are ethically and legally required to break confidentiality when they
determine that their clients:
a. made an attempt to commit suicide two prior to their session.
b. are actively thinking about committing suicide.
c. are actively thinking about committing suicide, have a plan, but do not presently
have the means to commit the act.
d. represent a clear and imminent threat to themselves.
21. When clients disclose that they have a disease known to be communicable and life
threatening, the counselor:
a. is obligated by law to warn third parties who are potentially at risk.
b. are never obligated to break confidentiality in such cases.
c. may be justified warn identifiable third parties if they have evidence of the
diagnosis and have evidence of the client’s intent to engage in the potentially harmful
behavior.
d. should call the client’s primary physician since it is only an M.D. who can break
confidentiality in these cases.
Essay Questions
1. Discuss the way in which ethical conduct of counselors promotes excellence in counseling.
2. Discuss the ways in which codes of ethics are similar and different from state and federal law.
3. An old friend from high school contacts you seeking mental health counseling services from
you. How would you ethically and sensitively respond to this person? Clearly identify the
specific ethical principles you would use in guiding your decision.
4. Discuss why the principle of confidentiality is central to the counseling process. Describe
how you would describe the concept and its limitations to a new client at the initial session.
5. Describe how the American Counseling Association addresses members who commit specific
ethical violations.
6. Identify and describe three ethical principles that have unique application to the use of
technology in professional counseling.
Test Bank Multiple Choice Answer Key