1. What is the primary ethical concern when a clinical psychologist shares patient information without consent?
A) Confidentiality breach
B) Beneficence
C) Non-maleficence
D) Informed consent
Answer: A) Confidentiality breach
Explanation: A breach of confidentiality occurs when patient information is shared without consent. This is a core ethical principle that clinical psychologists must maintain to protect patient privacy.
2. Which ethical principle focuses on “doing no harm” to the patient during psychological treatment?
A) Autonomy
B) Justice
C) Non-maleficence
D) Fidelity
Answer: C) Non-maleficence
Explanation: Non-maleficence refers to the ethical duty of doing no harm. Clinical psychologists must ensure that their interventions do not cause any physical or psychological harm to their patients.
3. What should a psychologist do if a patient discloses intentions to harm others?
A) Ignore the disclosure
B) Report to the authorities if there is imminent danger
C) Continue therapy without action
D) Refer the patient to another psychologist
Answer: B) Report to the authorities if there is imminent danger
Explanation: When there is a risk of harm to others, psychologists are ethically obligated to breach confidentiality and report to authorities to protect the potential victims.
4. Which of the following ethical principles emphasizes respect for a patient’s right to make their own decisions?
A) Justice
B) Autonomy
C) Beneficence
D) Non-maleficence
Answer: B) Autonomy
Explanation: Autonomy refers to respecting the patient’s right to make their own informed decisions about their treatment, free from coercion or undue influence.
5. What is the ethical responsibility of a clinical psychologist if they encounter a patient with conflicting cultural beliefs?
A) Ignore the beliefs and continue with the treatment
B) Criticize the beliefs and encourage change
C) Respect and understand the cultural beliefs while providing treatment
D) Ask the patient to abandon their beliefs
Answer: C) Respect and understand the cultural beliefs while providing treatment
Explanation: Respecting cultural beliefs is vital in therapy, as cultural sensitivity ensures that the treatment is both effective and respectful of the patient’s background.
6. When is it ethically acceptable for a psychologist to break confidentiality?
A) When the patient requests it
B) When the patient poses a threat to themselves or others
C) When the psychologist is busy
D) When the psychologist is unsure about the diagnosis
Answer: B) When the patient poses a threat to themselves or others
Explanation: Confidentiality may be ethically broken if there is a risk of harm to the patient or others, as it is important to prevent potential danger.
7. How should a clinical psychologist handle a situation in which they feel personally attracted to a patient?
A) Pursue the relationship as it may help the therapy
B) Discuss the attraction with the patient
C) Transfer the patient to another therapist
D) Ignore the feelings and continue the therapy
Answer: C) Transfer the patient to another therapist
Explanation: A therapist should always maintain professional boundaries. If a personal attraction exists, it is important to transfer the patient to ensure the integrity of the therapy.
8. Which of the following is an example of a conflict of interest in clinical psychology?
A) The psychologist works with a family member
B) The psychologist maintains confidentiality
C) The psychologist provides clear treatment goals
D) The psychologist seeks professional development
Answer: A) The psychologist works with a family member
Explanation: Working with a family member creates a conflict of interest, as the psychologist’s objectivity may be compromised due to the personal relationship.
9. How should a psychologist respond if they believe a colleague is practicing unethically?
A) Ignore the situation
B) Report the unethical behavior to a relevant authority
C) Confront the colleague publicly
D) Share the information with patients
Answer: B) Report the unethical behavior to a relevant authority
Explanation: Clinical psychologists are ethically obligated to report any unethical behavior by colleagues to ensure the welfare of patients and the integrity of the profession.
10. What is the ethical requirement when providing psychological assessments?
A) The assessment should be free of charge
B) The results should be shared only with the patient
C) The tests should be valid and reliable for the patient’s context
D) The assessment should be quick and inexpensive
Answer: C) The tests should be valid and reliable for the patient’s context
Explanation: Ethical psychological assessments should be based on reliable and valid tools that are appropriate for the patient’s specific circumstances to ensure accurate results.
11. Which ethical principle is involved when a clinical psychologist provides treatment based on the patient’s best interest?
A) Justice
B) Autonomy
C) Beneficence
D) Fidelity
Answer: C) Beneficence
Explanation: Beneficence refers to the ethical obligation of providing care that is in the best interest of the patient, ensuring their well-being.
12. What is the ethical dilemma faced by psychologists when treating patients with substance abuse problems?
A) Providing treatment for free
B) Balancing confidentiality with the risk of harm to the patient
C) Encouraging patients to stay in therapy indefinitely
D) Limiting the number of sessions to avoid burnout
Answer: B) Balancing confidentiality with the risk of harm to the patient
Explanation: The ethical challenge involves maintaining confidentiality while ensuring the patient receives the necessary help to avoid harm, particularly in cases of substance abuse.
13. What is the ethical concern if a psychologist uses a therapy technique they are not properly trained in?
A) Lack of informed consent
B) Violation of professional competence
C) Beneficence
D) Breach of confidentiality
Answer: B) Violation of professional competence
Explanation: Psychologists are ethically required to provide services within the scope of their competence. Using techniques they are not trained in compromises ethical standards and patient safety.
14. What must a psychologist do before starting therapy with a patient?
A) Set the price of the therapy sessions
B) Provide informed consent
C) Ask for personal information from the patient
D) Begin therapy immediately
Answer: B) Provide informed consent
Explanation: Informed consent is crucial before starting therapy. It ensures the patient understands the treatment process, potential risks, and the psychologist’s role.
15. What is the primary ethical issue when a psychologist engages in multiple roles with a patient (e.g., both therapist and friend)?
A) Lack of informed consent
B) Dual relationship
C) Confidentiality breach
D) Non-maleficence
Answer: B) Dual relationship
Explanation: A dual relationship occurs when a psychologist assumes more than one role with a patient, which can lead to conflicts of interest and harm to the professional relationship.
16. What should a psychologist do if they recognize signs of abuse in a patient?
A) Ignore the signs if the patient does not want to discuss it
B) Ask the patient for more details before reporting
C) Report the signs of abuse to the appropriate authorities
D) Tell the patient to leave the abusive situation
Answer: C) Report the signs of abuse to the appropriate authorities
Explanation: Psychologists are ethically and legally required to report any signs of abuse to the appropriate authorities to protect the well-being of the patient.
17. When is it acceptable for a clinical psychologist to terminate therapy with a patient?
A) When the patient disagrees with the treatment plan
B) When the psychologist is no longer emotionally invested in the case
C) When the patient has met their goals or no longer needs therapy
D) When the patient cannot pay for the sessions
Answer: C) When the patient has met their goals or no longer needs therapy
Explanation: Termination should occur when the patient no longer requires therapy or has achieved their treatment goals. It must be done ethically and with proper preparation.
18. What ethical issue arises when a psychologist accepts gifts from a patient?
A) Professional competence
B) Conflict of interest
C) Confidentiality breach
D) Breach of trust
Answer: B) Conflict of interest
Explanation: Accepting gifts from a patient creates a conflict of interest, as it may influence the psychologist’s objectivity and judgment in the therapeutic relationship.
19. Which of the following ethical issues involves a psychologist failing to acknowledge the limits of their expertise?
A) Non-maleficence
B) Professional competence
C) Beneficence
D) Justice
Answer: B) Professional competence
Explanation: Psychologists must work within their areas of competence, which involves recognizing the limits of their training and expertise and referring patients when necessary.
20. How should a psychologist handle the situation when they suspect that a colleague is overprescribing medication to patients?
A) Report the situation to appropriate authorities
B) Ignore it if the patients are happy with the treatment
C) Discuss it with the colleague privately
D) Ask the patients to stop taking the medication
Answer: A) Report the situation to appropriate authorities
Explanation: Overprescribing medication is a serious ethical issue that can harm patients. Psychologists should report such concerns to the appropriate regulatory body for investigation.
21. When is a psychologist ethically required to disclose patient information to a third party?
A) When the third party is a family member
B) When the patient has signed a release form or in emergencies involving harm
C) When the third party requests the information
D) When the psychologist believes it will improve the treatment
Answer: B) When the patient has signed a release form or in emergencies involving harm
Explanation: Psychologists must obtain informed consent before disclosing patient information, unless there is a clear and immediate risk of harm to the patient or others.
22. What is an ethical concern if a psychologist continues therapy with a patient who is no longer benefiting from treatment?
A) Non-maleficence
B) Autonomy
C) Beneficence
D) Informed consent
Answer: A) Non-maleficence
Explanation: Continuing treatment when it is no longer beneficial could cause harm or prolong unnecessary
suffering, violating the principle of non-maleficence.
23. What must a psychologist do if a patient is a danger to themselves or others?
A) Provide immediate therapy and confidentiality
B) Refer the patient to a psychiatrist
C) Maintain confidentiality despite the situation
D) Report the danger to authorities as required
Answer: D) Report the danger to authorities as required
Explanation: Psychologists are ethically and legally obligated to breach confidentiality if there is a serious risk of harm to the patient or others.
24. What is the ethical consideration when providing therapy to minors?
A) Parental consent must be obtained, and the minor’s confidentiality must be respected
B) The minor’s consent is enough without parental involvement
C) Parents should have full access to therapy notes
D) Therapy should be focused solely on the parents’ concerns
Answer: A) Parental consent must be obtained, and the minor’s confidentiality must be respected
Explanation: In cases of minors, both parental consent and respect for the minor’s confidentiality are essential to maintaining ethical standards in therapy.
25. How should a psychologist ensure they are adhering to ethical guidelines when working in diverse cultural settings?
A) Use a standardized approach for all patients
B) Adapt their techniques to be culturally sensitive
C) Ignore cultural differences and focus on the treatment
D) Apply their own cultural values to the treatment
Answer: B) Adapt their techniques to be culturally sensitive
Explanation: Ethical practice in diverse cultural settings involves adapting therapeutic techniques to be respectful and sensitive to cultural differences.
26. What ethical issue arises when a psychologist conducts therapy through online platforms without proper security measures?
A) Informed consent
B) Confidentiality breach
C) Professional competence
D) Non-maleficence
Answer: B) Confidentiality breach
Explanation: Online therapy requires secure platforms to ensure confidentiality. Using insecure platforms violates the ethical principle of maintaining confidentiality.
27. What must a psychologist do if they suspect a colleague of unethical behavior towards a patient?
A) Confront the colleague directly
B) Report the behavior to the relevant authorities
C) Ignore the situation to avoid conflict
D) Tell the patient about the unethical behavior
Answer: B) Report the behavior to the relevant authorities
Explanation: Ethical guidelines require psychologists to report suspected unethical behavior by colleagues to the appropriate professional or legal authorities.
28. What ethical principle is most compromised by a psychologist accepting gifts from patients?
A) Justice
B) Fidelity
C) Non-maleficence
D) Beneficence
Answer: B) Fidelity
Explanation: Accepting gifts can compromise the trust in the professional relationship, violating the principle of fidelity which focuses on trust and honesty.
29. What ethical issue is associated with a psychologist working with a patient who has a history of violence?
A) Confidentiality
B) Dual relationships
C) Risk of harm to others
D) Informed consent
Answer: C) Risk of harm to others
Explanation: Psychologists must consider the risk of harm to others, especially in cases involving violent tendencies, and take appropriate steps, such as reporting.
30. How should a psychologist handle the end of a professional relationship with a patient?
A) Provide a referral to another therapist if needed
B) End therapy abruptly without explanation
C) Discuss the reasons for ending therapy clearly with the patient
D) Keep the patient on standby for future sessions
Answer: C) Discuss the reasons for ending therapy clearly with the patient
Explanation: Ethical guidelines require psychologists to discuss the reasons for ending therapy with patients, ensuring they are informed and prepared for the transition.
