NPE - National Psychology Professional and Ethical Practice Questions and Answers

Question 1

A psychologist in a rural town is providing therapy to a client.
During a session, the client reveals they are a teacher at the local primary school where the psychologist's child is a student.
Which of the following is the psychologist's most critical first step according to professional and ethical guidelines?

Accepted Answer

Acknowledge the dual relationship, discuss its potential impacts on therapy with the client, and document the conversation.

Answer

Refer the client to another psychologist in a neighbouring town immediately.

Answer

Continue therapy as normal, as dual relationships are unavoidable in small communities.

Answer

Inform the school principal about the therapeutic relationship to ensure transparency.

Question 2

Under the Psychology Board of Australia's Code of Conduct, which of the following is a primary justification for breaking confidentiality without the client's consent?

Accepted Answer

To prevent a clear and imminent risk of serious harm to an identifiable person.

Answer

A request for client records from the client's lawyer.

Answer

A police inquiry about the client's whereabouts.

Answer

A request from the client's concerned family member.

Question 3

A psychologist is asked by a colleague to take over a complex case. The psychologist has not had specific training or supervised experience in the therapeutic modality most appropriate for the client's presenting issue. What is the most ethical course of action?

Accepted Answer

Decline the referral, explaining the limitations of their competence, and offer to help find a suitably qualified practitioner.

Answer

Accept the client and learn the modality through online courses while providing treatment.

Answer

Refuse the referral and suggest the colleague find someone else.

Answer

Accept the client but only use the therapeutic modalities they are already familiar with.

Question 4

Which of the following best describes the principle of 'Integrity' as it applies to a psychologist's professional practice?

Accepted Answer

Being honest and objective in all professional dealings and avoiding dual relationships.

Answer

Providing the highest possible standard of care to every client.

Answer

Committing to ongoing professional development to maintain competence.

Answer

Respecting the client's right to make their own decisions in therapy.

Question 5

A provisional psychologist is completing their internship and feels overwhelmed by their caseload and a personally distressing counter-transference reaction to a client. According to the Psychology Board of Australia's guidelines, which of the following is NOT an appropriate action?

Accepted Answer

Informing the client that they are feeling overwhelmed and need to end the therapeutic relationship immediately.

Answer

Discussing the counter-transference and caseload stress with their supervisor.

Answer

Seeking their own personal therapy to address the distressing personal reaction.

Answer

Implementing self-care strategies and considering a temporary reduction in their caseload in consultation with their supervisor.

Question 6

A psychologist is preparing a report for a court. The report will be used in a child custody dispute. The ethical requirement of 'objectivity' in this context means the psychologist must:

Accepted Answer

Base their conclusions solely on verifiable data and psychological testing, and clearly state the limits of their findings.

Answer

Advocate strongly for the parent who they believe is the better caregiver.

Answer

Only include information that is favourable to their client.

Answer

Refuse to provide an opinion on custody, as this is a legal and not a psychological decision.