Chapter 01: Introduction to Professional Ethics
1. Which of the following is concerned with perspectives of right and proper conduct and involves an evaluation of
actions on the basis of some broader cultural context or religious standard?
a. Ethical conduct
b. Community standards
c. Morality
d. Professionalism
ANSWER: c
POINTS: 1
DIFFICULTY: Easy
QUESTION TYPE: Multiple Choice
HAS VARIABLES: False
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: 01.04 - Explain the difference between law and ethics.
NATIONAL STANDARDS: United States - CACREP 1i - Professional Counseling Orientation and Ethical Practice -
Ethical standards of professional counseling organizations and credentialing bodies, and
applications of ethical and legal considerations in professional counseling.
United States - EPAS Competency 1a - Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behavior -
Make ethical decisions by applying the standards of the NASW Code of Ethics, relevant laws
and regulations, models for ethical decision making, ethical conduct of research, and
additional codes of ethics as appropriate to context.
United States - NOHS Standard 12 - Human service professionals are aware of local, state,
and federal laws. They advocate for change in regulations and statutes when such legislation
conflicts with ethical guidelines and/or client rights. Where laws are harmful to individuals,
groups, or communities, human service professionals consider the conflict between the
values of obeying the law and the values of serving people and may decide to initiate social
action.
OTHER: Professional Code of Ethics
2. Robert runs into the office, unprepared and frustrated because he is late for his weekly appointment with a client. He is
consistently late for his appointments. His behavior is:
a. immoral.
b. illegal.
c. unethical.
d. unprofessional.
ANSWER: d
POINTS: 1
DIFFICULTY: Easy
QUESTION TYPE: Multiple Choice
HAS VARIABLES: False
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: 01.05 - Differentiate between aspirational ethics and mandatory ethics.
NATIONAL STANDARDS: United States - CACREP 1i - Professional Counseling Orientation and Ethical Practice -
Ethical standards of professional counseling organizations and credentialing bodies, and
applications of ethical and legal considerations in professional counseling.
United States - EPAS Competency 1a - Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behavior -
Make ethical decisions by applying the standards of the NASW Code of Ethics, relevant laws
and regulations, models for ethical decision making, ethical conduct of research, and
additional codes of ethics as appropriate to context.
United States - NOHS Standard 12 - Human service professionals are aware of local, state,
and federal laws. They advocate for change in regulations and statutes when such legislation
Page 1
, conflicts with ethical guidelines and/or client rights. Where laws are harmful to individuals,
groups, or communities, human service professionals consider the conflict between the
values of obeying the law and the values of serving people and may decide to initiate social
action.
OTHER: Ethical Decision Making
3. James and Mary attended counseling for marital problems. The counselor decided to meet each partner in an individual
session before meeting them as a couple. James confided that he was HIV positive and was not going to tell his spouse
because she would know that he had been unfaithful. The counselor decided to break confidentially after their attempts to
encourage James to inform his wife of his condition were unsuccessful. The counselor's action:
a. was legal and ethical.
b. may be considered ethical, but the practitioner could be in violation of a legal standard.
c. was unethical but legal.
d. was ethical and meets the American Counseling Association standard regarding contagious diseases, which
states that practitioners must report when a client is HIV positive.
ANSWER: b
POINTS: 1
DIFFICULTY: Moderate
QUESTION TYPE: Multiple Choice
HAS VARIABLES: False
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: 01.05 - Differentiate between aspirational ethics and mandatory ethics.
NATIONAL STANDARDS: United States - CACREP 1i - Professional Counseling Orientation and Ethical Practice -
Ethical standards of professional counseling organizations and credentialing bodies, and
applications of ethical and legal considerations in professional counseling.
United States - EPAS Competency 1a - Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behavior -
Make ethical decisions by applying the standards of the NASW Code of Ethics, relevant laws
and regulations, models for ethical decision making, ethical conduct of research, and
additional codes of ethics as appropriate to context.
United States - NOHS Standard 12 - Human service professionals are aware of local, state,
and federal laws. They advocate for change in regulations and statutes when such legislation
conflicts with ethical guidelines and/or client rights. Where laws are harmful to individuals,
groups, or communities, human service professionals consider the conflict between the
values of obeying the law and the values of serving people and may decide to initiate social
action.
OTHER: Ethical Decision Making
4. Elizabeth, a beginning practitioner, counsels in a manner in which she merely acts in compliance with the law and
follows minimal ethical standards. She is at the first level of ethical functioning, which is:
a. personal ethics.
b. aspiration ethics.
c. mandatory ethics.
d. basic ethics.
ANSWER: c
POINTS: 1
DIFFICULTY: Easy
QUESTION TYPE: Multiple Choice
HAS VARIABLES: False
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: 01.05 - Differentiate between aspirational ethics and mandatory ethics.
Page 2
,NATIONAL STANDARDS: United States - CACREP 1i - Professional Counseling Orientation and Ethical Practice -
Ethical standards of professional counseling organizations and credentialing bodies, and
applications of ethical and legal considerations in professional counseling.
United States - EPAS Competency 1a - Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behavior -
Make ethical decisions by applying the standards of the NASW Code of Ethics, relevant laws
and regulations, models for ethical decision making, ethical conduct of research, and
additional codes of ethics as appropriate to context.
United States - NOHS Standard 12 - Human service professionals are aware of local, state,
and federal laws. They advocate for change in regulations and statutes when such legislation
conflicts with ethical guidelines and/or client rights. Where laws are harmful to individuals,
groups, or communities, human service professionals consider the conflict between the
values of obeying the law and the values of serving people and may decide to initiate social
action.
OTHER: Ethical Decision Making
5. The basic purpose of professional codes of ethics is to:
a. provide a mechanism for professional accountability.
b. protect professionals from lawsuits.
c. set standards that must be followed no matter the situation.
d. enhance the image of the helping professions.
ANSWER: a
POINTS: 1
DIFFICULTY: Easy
QUESTION TYPE: Multiple Choice
HAS VARIABLES: False
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: 01.01 - Identify common themes of ethics codes.
NATIONAL STANDARDS: United States - CACREP 1i - Professional Counseling Orientation and Ethical Practice -
Ethical standards of professional counseling organizations and credentialing bodies, and
applications of ethical and legal considerations in professional counseling.
United States - EPAS Competency 1a - Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behavior -
Make ethical decisions by applying the standards of the NASW Code of Ethics, relevant laws
and regulations, models for ethical decision making, ethical conduct of research, and
additional codes of ethics as appropriate to context.
United States - NOHS Standard 12 - Human service professionals are aware of local, state,
and federal laws. They advocate for change in regulations and statutes when such legislation
conflicts with ethical guidelines and/or client rights. Where laws are harmful to individuals,
groups, or communities, human service professionals consider the conflict between the
values of obeying the law and the values of serving people and may decide to initiate social
action.
OTHER: Professional Codes of Ethics
6. A formal complaint was filed against Harry for sexually harassing a female client. As a repeat offender, he was
previously warned that a major sanction would be imposed if he continued his unethical actions. The ethics committee of
the professional association to which he belongs most likely recommended that Harry:
a. be suspended with pay for one week.
b. resign from this job.
c. work without supervision on his word that he will not harass any client again.
d. be expelled from the organization.
ANSWER: d
Page 3
, POINTS: 1
DIFFICULTY: Moderate
QUESTION TYPE: Multiple Choice
HAS VARIABLES: False
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: 01.04 - Explain the difference between law and ethics.
NATIONAL STANDARDS: United States - CACREP 1i - Professional Counseling Orientation and Ethical Practice -
Ethical standards of professional counseling organizations and credentialing bodies, and
applications of ethical and legal considerations in professional counseling.
United States - EPAS Competency 1a - Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behavior -
Make ethical decisions by applying the standards of the NASW Code of Ethics, relevant laws
and regulations, models for ethical decision making, ethical conduct of research, and
additional codes of ethics as appropriate to context.
United States - NOHS Standard 12 - Human service professionals are aware of local, state,
and federal laws. They advocate for change in regulations and statutes when such legislation
conflicts with ethical guidelines and/or client rights. Where laws are harmful to individuals,
groups, or communities, human service professionals consider the conflict between the
values of obeying the law and the values of serving people and may decide to initiate social
action.
OTHER: Professional Codes of Ethics
7. The guiding moral principle that promotes self-determination or self-governing for decision making is called
__________.
a. nonmaleficence
b. autonomy
c. beneficence
d. justice
ANSWER: b
POINTS: 1
DIFFICULTY: Easy
QUESTION TYPE: Multiple Choice
HAS VARIABLES: False
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: 01.06 - Apply the six moral principles to ethical dilemmas.
NATIONAL STANDARDS: United States - CACREP 1i - Professional Counseling Orientation and Ethical Practice -
Ethical standards of professional counseling organizations and credentialing bodies, and
applications of ethical and legal considerations in professional counseling.
United States - EPAS Competency 1a - Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behavior -
Make ethical decisions by applying the standards of the NASW Code of Ethics, relevant laws
and regulations, models for ethical decision making, ethical conduct of research, and
additional codes of ethics as appropriate to context.
United States - NOHS Standard 12 - Human service professionals are aware of local, state,
and federal laws. They advocate for change in regulations and statutes when such legislation
conflicts with ethical guidelines and/or client rights. Where laws are harmful to individuals,
groups, or communities, human service professionals consider the conflict between the
values of obeying the law and the values of serving people and may decide to initiate social
action.
OTHER: Ethical Decision Making
8. The guiding moral principle that refers to doing good for others and promoting well-being is called __________.
a. nonmaleficence
Page 4
1. Which of the following is concerned with perspectives of right and proper conduct and involves an evaluation of
actions on the basis of some broader cultural context or religious standard?
a. Ethical conduct
b. Community standards
c. Morality
d. Professionalism
ANSWER: c
POINTS: 1
DIFFICULTY: Easy
QUESTION TYPE: Multiple Choice
HAS VARIABLES: False
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: 01.04 - Explain the difference between law and ethics.
NATIONAL STANDARDS: United States - CACREP 1i - Professional Counseling Orientation and Ethical Practice -
Ethical standards of professional counseling organizations and credentialing bodies, and
applications of ethical and legal considerations in professional counseling.
United States - EPAS Competency 1a - Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behavior -
Make ethical decisions by applying the standards of the NASW Code of Ethics, relevant laws
and regulations, models for ethical decision making, ethical conduct of research, and
additional codes of ethics as appropriate to context.
United States - NOHS Standard 12 - Human service professionals are aware of local, state,
and federal laws. They advocate for change in regulations and statutes when such legislation
conflicts with ethical guidelines and/or client rights. Where laws are harmful to individuals,
groups, or communities, human service professionals consider the conflict between the
values of obeying the law and the values of serving people and may decide to initiate social
action.
OTHER: Professional Code of Ethics
2. Robert runs into the office, unprepared and frustrated because he is late for his weekly appointment with a client. He is
consistently late for his appointments. His behavior is:
a. immoral.
b. illegal.
c. unethical.
d. unprofessional.
ANSWER: d
POINTS: 1
DIFFICULTY: Easy
QUESTION TYPE: Multiple Choice
HAS VARIABLES: False
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: 01.05 - Differentiate between aspirational ethics and mandatory ethics.
NATIONAL STANDARDS: United States - CACREP 1i - Professional Counseling Orientation and Ethical Practice -
Ethical standards of professional counseling organizations and credentialing bodies, and
applications of ethical and legal considerations in professional counseling.
United States - EPAS Competency 1a - Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behavior -
Make ethical decisions by applying the standards of the NASW Code of Ethics, relevant laws
and regulations, models for ethical decision making, ethical conduct of research, and
additional codes of ethics as appropriate to context.
United States - NOHS Standard 12 - Human service professionals are aware of local, state,
and federal laws. They advocate for change in regulations and statutes when such legislation
Page 1
, conflicts with ethical guidelines and/or client rights. Where laws are harmful to individuals,
groups, or communities, human service professionals consider the conflict between the
values of obeying the law and the values of serving people and may decide to initiate social
action.
OTHER: Ethical Decision Making
3. James and Mary attended counseling for marital problems. The counselor decided to meet each partner in an individual
session before meeting them as a couple. James confided that he was HIV positive and was not going to tell his spouse
because she would know that he had been unfaithful. The counselor decided to break confidentially after their attempts to
encourage James to inform his wife of his condition were unsuccessful. The counselor's action:
a. was legal and ethical.
b. may be considered ethical, but the practitioner could be in violation of a legal standard.
c. was unethical but legal.
d. was ethical and meets the American Counseling Association standard regarding contagious diseases, which
states that practitioners must report when a client is HIV positive.
ANSWER: b
POINTS: 1
DIFFICULTY: Moderate
QUESTION TYPE: Multiple Choice
HAS VARIABLES: False
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: 01.05 - Differentiate between aspirational ethics and mandatory ethics.
NATIONAL STANDARDS: United States - CACREP 1i - Professional Counseling Orientation and Ethical Practice -
Ethical standards of professional counseling organizations and credentialing bodies, and
applications of ethical and legal considerations in professional counseling.
United States - EPAS Competency 1a - Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behavior -
Make ethical decisions by applying the standards of the NASW Code of Ethics, relevant laws
and regulations, models for ethical decision making, ethical conduct of research, and
additional codes of ethics as appropriate to context.
United States - NOHS Standard 12 - Human service professionals are aware of local, state,
and federal laws. They advocate for change in regulations and statutes when such legislation
conflicts with ethical guidelines and/or client rights. Where laws are harmful to individuals,
groups, or communities, human service professionals consider the conflict between the
values of obeying the law and the values of serving people and may decide to initiate social
action.
OTHER: Ethical Decision Making
4. Elizabeth, a beginning practitioner, counsels in a manner in which she merely acts in compliance with the law and
follows minimal ethical standards. She is at the first level of ethical functioning, which is:
a. personal ethics.
b. aspiration ethics.
c. mandatory ethics.
d. basic ethics.
ANSWER: c
POINTS: 1
DIFFICULTY: Easy
QUESTION TYPE: Multiple Choice
HAS VARIABLES: False
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: 01.05 - Differentiate between aspirational ethics and mandatory ethics.
Page 2
,NATIONAL STANDARDS: United States - CACREP 1i - Professional Counseling Orientation and Ethical Practice -
Ethical standards of professional counseling organizations and credentialing bodies, and
applications of ethical and legal considerations in professional counseling.
United States - EPAS Competency 1a - Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behavior -
Make ethical decisions by applying the standards of the NASW Code of Ethics, relevant laws
and regulations, models for ethical decision making, ethical conduct of research, and
additional codes of ethics as appropriate to context.
United States - NOHS Standard 12 - Human service professionals are aware of local, state,
and federal laws. They advocate for change in regulations and statutes when such legislation
conflicts with ethical guidelines and/or client rights. Where laws are harmful to individuals,
groups, or communities, human service professionals consider the conflict between the
values of obeying the law and the values of serving people and may decide to initiate social
action.
OTHER: Ethical Decision Making
5. The basic purpose of professional codes of ethics is to:
a. provide a mechanism for professional accountability.
b. protect professionals from lawsuits.
c. set standards that must be followed no matter the situation.
d. enhance the image of the helping professions.
ANSWER: a
POINTS: 1
DIFFICULTY: Easy
QUESTION TYPE: Multiple Choice
HAS VARIABLES: False
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: 01.01 - Identify common themes of ethics codes.
NATIONAL STANDARDS: United States - CACREP 1i - Professional Counseling Orientation and Ethical Practice -
Ethical standards of professional counseling organizations and credentialing bodies, and
applications of ethical and legal considerations in professional counseling.
United States - EPAS Competency 1a - Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behavior -
Make ethical decisions by applying the standards of the NASW Code of Ethics, relevant laws
and regulations, models for ethical decision making, ethical conduct of research, and
additional codes of ethics as appropriate to context.
United States - NOHS Standard 12 - Human service professionals are aware of local, state,
and federal laws. They advocate for change in regulations and statutes when such legislation
conflicts with ethical guidelines and/or client rights. Where laws are harmful to individuals,
groups, or communities, human service professionals consider the conflict between the
values of obeying the law and the values of serving people and may decide to initiate social
action.
OTHER: Professional Codes of Ethics
6. A formal complaint was filed against Harry for sexually harassing a female client. As a repeat offender, he was
previously warned that a major sanction would be imposed if he continued his unethical actions. The ethics committee of
the professional association to which he belongs most likely recommended that Harry:
a. be suspended with pay for one week.
b. resign from this job.
c. work without supervision on his word that he will not harass any client again.
d. be expelled from the organization.
ANSWER: d
Page 3
, POINTS: 1
DIFFICULTY: Moderate
QUESTION TYPE: Multiple Choice
HAS VARIABLES: False
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: 01.04 - Explain the difference between law and ethics.
NATIONAL STANDARDS: United States - CACREP 1i - Professional Counseling Orientation and Ethical Practice -
Ethical standards of professional counseling organizations and credentialing bodies, and
applications of ethical and legal considerations in professional counseling.
United States - EPAS Competency 1a - Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behavior -
Make ethical decisions by applying the standards of the NASW Code of Ethics, relevant laws
and regulations, models for ethical decision making, ethical conduct of research, and
additional codes of ethics as appropriate to context.
United States - NOHS Standard 12 - Human service professionals are aware of local, state,
and federal laws. They advocate for change in regulations and statutes when such legislation
conflicts with ethical guidelines and/or client rights. Where laws are harmful to individuals,
groups, or communities, human service professionals consider the conflict between the
values of obeying the law and the values of serving people and may decide to initiate social
action.
OTHER: Professional Codes of Ethics
7. The guiding moral principle that promotes self-determination or self-governing for decision making is called
__________.
a. nonmaleficence
b. autonomy
c. beneficence
d. justice
ANSWER: b
POINTS: 1
DIFFICULTY: Easy
QUESTION TYPE: Multiple Choice
HAS VARIABLES: False
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: 01.06 - Apply the six moral principles to ethical dilemmas.
NATIONAL STANDARDS: United States - CACREP 1i - Professional Counseling Orientation and Ethical Practice -
Ethical standards of professional counseling organizations and credentialing bodies, and
applications of ethical and legal considerations in professional counseling.
United States - EPAS Competency 1a - Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behavior -
Make ethical decisions by applying the standards of the NASW Code of Ethics, relevant laws
and regulations, models for ethical decision making, ethical conduct of research, and
additional codes of ethics as appropriate to context.
United States - NOHS Standard 12 - Human service professionals are aware of local, state,
and federal laws. They advocate for change in regulations and statutes when such legislation
conflicts with ethical guidelines and/or client rights. Where laws are harmful to individuals,
groups, or communities, human service professionals consider the conflict between the
values of obeying the law and the values of serving people and may decide to initiate social
action.
OTHER: Ethical Decision Making
8. The guiding moral principle that refers to doing good for others and promoting well-being is called __________.
a. nonmaleficence
Page 4
