WAIS Ethical and Clinical Application 2

Question 1

A psychologist administers the WAIS-IV to a client and discovers the client's IQ score is significantly lower than expected. What is the most appropriate next step?

Accepted Answer

Provide feedback within a supportive clinical framework and explain what the scores mean

Answer

Share the raw score immediately without context

Answer

Withhold all results until a second evaluation is completed

Answer

Refer the client to a neurologist before discussing any results

Question 2

When testing an individual from a culturally and linguistically diverse background with the WAIS-IV, the primary ethical concern is:

Accepted Answer

Ensuring the norms are appropriately applied and acknowledging potential cultural bias

Answer

Completing the test faster to reduce client fatigue

Answer

Using only nonverbal subtests regardless of the referral question

Answer

Skipping subtests that the examinee finds difficult

Question 3

A WAIS-IV report is requested by an attorney for a legal competency hearing. Which ethical principle governs the psychologist's release of the report?

Accepted Answer

The psychologist must obtain a signed release from the examinee or a court order before releasing the report

Answer

Reports may be released to any requesting party without restriction

Answer

Reports are always public record once administered

Answer

The attorney can access records directly through the test publisher

Question 4

Which of the following represents an appropriate use of WAIS-IV scores in employment screening?

Accepted Answer

Incorporating WAIS-IV as one component of a comprehensive, job-relevant assessment battery

Answer

Using Full Scale IQ as the sole criterion for hiring decisions

Answer

Administering the WAIS-IV only to applicants who appear less capable

Answer

Sharing individual WAIS-IV scores with all members of the hiring committee

Question 5

A clinician suspects a client is deliberately performing poorly on the WAIS-IV to exaggerate cognitive deficits. The most appropriate action is to:

Accepted Answer

Administer validity/effort measures and note the possibility of suboptimal effort in the report

Answer

Discard all WAIS-IV results and document nothing

Answer

Accept all scores at face value to avoid offending the client

Answer

Immediately terminate the evaluation and report the client to authorities

Question 6

Under APA ethical guidelines, a psychologist who administers the WAIS-IV must:

Accepted Answer

Be trained and competent in administering, scoring, and interpreting the instrument

Answer

Only use the test for research purposes unless licensed as a neuropsychologist

Answer

Share raw test protocols with any mental health professional who requests them

Answer

Re-standardize the test for each new clinical population before use

Question 7

A psychologist's WAIS-IV report written for a disability determination includes a statement that the examinee's IQ is 'borderline mentally retarded.' This language is ethically problematic because:

Accepted Answer

The term is outdated and stigmatizing; current terminology uses 'intellectual disability'

Answer

Disability determinations do not require intelligence testing

Answer

The score alone is insufficient to make any clinical statement

Answer

Reports for disability cases must avoid any diagnostic language