Ethics and Law in Problem Solving: Master Ethical and Legal Principles in Social Care

Question 1

Which of the following is NOT a fundamental ethical principle in social care?

Accepted Answer

Retribution

Answer

Confidentiality

Answer

Respect for autonomy

Answer

Beneficence

Question 2

The Care Act 2014 imposes a legal obligation on social care professionals to:

Accepted Answer

Safeguard vulnerable adults

Answer

Provide financial assistance

Answer

Promote independence

Answer

Assess care requirements

Question 3

In line with the principle of confidentiality, social care practitioners must:

Accepted Answer

Disclose information only with the consent of the service user

Answer

Share information freely with other professionals involved in the case

Answer

Maintain all information as confidential, even in situations of serious risk

Answer

Report any unethical or illegal behavior

Question 4

Which action would demonstrate a lack of respect for a service user's autonomy?

Accepted Answer

Making decisions on their behalf without their consent

Answer

Including them in decisions about their care

Answer

Treating them with dignity and respect

Answer

Providing them with clear and concise information

Question 5

What is the legal framework that prohibits discrimination in the workplace in the UK?

Accepted Answer

The Equality Act

Answer

The National Health Service Act

Answer

The Care Act

Answer

The Children's Act

Question 6

Which of the following is the first step in the ethical decision-making process?

Accepted Answer

Identifying the ethical issues

Answer

Gathering information

Answer

Consulting with colleagues

Answer

Making a decision

Question 7

What is the principle that grants individuals the right to control information about themselves?

Accepted Answer

Confidentiality

Answer

Equality

Answer

Transparency

Answer

Autonomy

Question 8

Which of the following is a key difference between ethical principles and legal frameworks?

Accepted Answer

Ethical principles are universal, while legal frameworks vary by jurisdiction.

Answer

Ethical principles are subjective, while legal frameworks are objective.

Answer

Ethical principles are less important than legal frameworks.

Answer

There is no difference between ethical principles and legal frameworks.

Question 9

What is the purpose of informed consent in social care?

Accepted Answer

To ensure that individuals understand and agree to the care they receive.

Answer

To protect professionals from legal liability.

Answer

To delay decision-making until all options are explored.

Answer

To prevent individuals from making decisions about their own care.

Question 10

What is the first step to take when faced with a ethical dilemma in social care?

Accepted Answer

Discuss the issue with a supervisor

Answer

Make a snap decision

Answer

Ignore the issue

Answer

Seek legal advice

Question 11

What is the primary goal of the Mental Capacity Act 2005?

Accepted Answer

To protect the rights of individuals who lack capacity to make decisions.

Answer

To increase the power of social care professionals.

Answer

To reduce the burden on the NHS.

Answer

To eliminate the use of involuntary treatment.

Question 12

Which principle in the Mental Capacity Act 2005 prioritizes the well-being of individuals who cannot make decisions for themselves?

Accepted Answer

Best interests

Answer

Presumption of capacity

Answer

Least restrictive option

Answer

Informed consent

Question 13

Identify the principle that is NOT a core ethical principle in social care:

Accepted Answer

Paternalism

Answer

Autonomy

Answer

Beneficence

Answer

Confidentiality

Question 14

In the ethical decision-making process in social care, what is the primary step?

Accepted Answer

Identify the problem

Answer

Gather information

Answer

Consider ethical principles

Answer

Evaluate options

Question 15

What is the primary purpose of the Equality Act (2010) in social care?

Accepted Answer

To promote equality and prevent discrimination

Answer

To regulate the use of personal data

Answer

To ensure the rights of individuals with disabilities

Answer

To protect vulnerable adults

Question 16

What is the key role of a social care advocate in ethical decision-making?

Accepted Answer

To represent the client's views and interests

Answer

To make decisions on behalf of the client

Answer

To provide legal advice

Answer

To investigate complaints

Question 17

Which of the following actions would be considered a breach of confidentiality?

Accepted Answer

Sharing a service user's medical history with a colleague without their informed consent

Answer

Discussing a service user's case with their family with their informed consent

Answer

Documenting a service user's personal information in a secure file

Question 18

What is the primary purpose of obtaining informed consent from service users?

Accepted Answer

To ensure they fully understand and voluntarily agree to the proposed interventions and have the capacity to make such a decision

Answer

To minimize the risk of legal challenges

Answer

To document the service user's involvement in their care

Question 19

Which of the following is a characteristic of ethical problem-solving in social care?

Accepted Answer

Balancing multiple perspectives, potential outcomes, and relevant values

Answer

Relying solely on personal values

Answer

Ignoring the legal implications

Question 20

What is the primary purpose of the Equality Act 2010 as it relates to social care?

Accepted Answer

To promote equality and prevent discrimination on the grounds of specific characteristics, such as age, disability, and sexual orientation

Answer

To regulate the standards of care homes

Answer

To determine the funding for social care services

Question 21

What is a potential negative consequence of failing to adhere to ethical and legal principles in social care?

Accepted Answer

Loss of trust and confidence from service users and the public, as well as potential legal consequences

Answer

Improved outcomes for service users

Answer

Increased funding for social care services

Question 22

Which of the following is a key element of the Data Protection Act 2018?

Accepted Answer

The right for individuals to access and control their personal data

Answer

The exemption of social work records from data protection laws

Answer

The requirement to store data for a minimum of 10 years

Question 23

What should a social worker do if they have reasonable grounds to suspect child abuse?

Accepted Answer

Report their concerns to the relevant authorities, such as social services or the police

Answer

Ignore the suspicion and hope it goes away

Answer

Share their concerns with colleagues only

Answer

Confront the suspected abuser directly

Question 24

What is the most important consideration when making decisions about the care of vulnerable adults?

Accepted Answer

Their best interests

Answer

The wishes of their family members

Answer

The availability of resources

Answer

The social worker's personal beliefs

Question 25

A service user confides in you that they are having suicidal thoughts but asks you to keep it a secret. What is your ethical and legal obligation?

Accepted Answer

Inform your supervisor or another appropriate professional to ensure the service user's safety.

Answer

Attempt to talk the service user out of their suicidal thoughts without involving anyone else.

Answer

Respect the service user's request for confidentiality and do not disclose the information.

Question 26

Which of the following is a fundamental principle of the Mental Capacity Act 2005?

Accepted Answer

Individuals should be supported to make their own decisions, even if they have difficulty doing so.

Answer

Individuals who are unable to make decisions for themselves should always have decisions made for them.

Answer

Healthcare professionals should always act in the best interests of individuals, even if it overrides their personal choices.

Question 27

You witness a colleague behaving inappropriately towards a service user. According to the ethical principles of social care, what should be your immediate action?

Accepted Answer

Intervene calmly and safely to stop the inappropriate behavior and report the incident to your supervisor.

Answer

Confront your colleague directly about their behavior without involving anyone else.

Answer

Ignore the situation as it is not your responsibility to intervene.

Question 28

What is the main purpose of the Care Act 2014?

Accepted Answer

To establish a legal framework for providing and accessing care and support services in England.

Answer

To regulate the use of physical restraints in social care settings.

Answer

To define the specific duties and responsibilities of healthcare professionals.

Question 29

When supporting a service user to make a decision, you should:

Accepted Answer

Provide clear and unbiased information, explore all available options with them, and respect their final decision.

Answer

Persuade them to choose the option that you believe is in their best interest.

Answer

Present them with only the options that you think are suitable for their situation.

Question 30

Which of the following scenarios would be considered a breach of confidentiality?

Accepted Answer

Sharing a service user's personal health information with a friend or family member who is not involved in their care.

Answer

Sharing information about a service user's care needs with other professionals who are directly involved in their care plan.

Answer

Documenting a service user's concerns and preferences in their care records.

Question 31

The Equality Act 2010 aims to:

Accepted Answer

Protect individuals from discrimination based on protected characteristics, such as race, gender, and disability.

Answer

Ensure that all individuals receive identical treatment regardless of their needs.

Answer

Promote equal opportunities solely for individuals with disabilities.

Question 32

When faced with an ethical dilemma in social care, what is the MOST important step to take AFTER gathering relevant information?

Accepted Answer

Reflect on your own values and biases and consider the potential consequences of each possible course of action.

Answer

Consult with your supervisor or another trusted professional.

Answer

Make a quick decision based on your gut feeling.

Question 33

Which legislation places a strong emphasis on person-centered care and promoting the well-being of individuals receiving care?

Accepted Answer

The Care Act 2014

Answer

The Data Protection Act 2018

Answer

The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974

Answer

The Mental Health Act 1983

Question 34

You are supporting a service user who refuses a medical treatment that you believe is essential for their health. What should you do?

Accepted Answer

Respect their decision, even if you disagree with it, and explore their reasons for refusal.

Answer

Coerce them into accepting the treatment by emphasizing the potential negative consequences of refusal.

Answer

Override their decision and insist that they comply with the medical recommendation.

Question 35

Which of the following is NOT considered a fundamental ethical principle in social care problem-solving?

Accepted Answer

Utilitarianism

Answer

Justice

Answer

Autonomy

Answer

Beneficence

Question 36

The Data Protection Act 2018 outlines principles for processing personal information. Which of these is NOT a principle?

Accepted Answer

Disclosure without consent

Answer

Accuracy

Answer

Purpose limitation

Answer

Security

Question 37

Which action would be considered a breach of confidentiality in a social care setting?

Accepted Answer

Sharing a client's personal information with a friend.

Answer

Recording a client's personal information in a secure file.

Answer

Discussing a client's case with a colleague in a private meeting.

Answer

Sharing relevant information with other professionals involved in the client's care.

Question 38

Which ethical principle emphasizes the importance of keeping client information confidential?

Accepted Answer

Confidentiality

Answer

Autonomy

Answer

Non-maleficence

Answer

Beneficence

Question 39

The Mental Capacity Act (2005) primarily aims to protect:

Accepted Answer

Individuals who are unable to make decisions for themselves due to an impairment.

Answer

Older adults.

Answer

People with disabilities.

Answer

Children and young people.

Question 40

Which of these is NOT a step in the ethical decision-making process?

Accepted Answer

Ignoring the consequences

Answer

Exploring alternative courses of action

Answer

Evaluating the potential consequences

Answer

Identifying the ethical issue

Question 41

Valid consent in social care should be:

Accepted Answer

Informed, freely given, and specific to the situation.

Answer

Coerced and pressured.

Answer

Partial and incomplete.

Answer

Implied and assumed.

Question 42

The principle of equality in social care means that professionals should treat everyone:

Accepted Answer

With respect and dignity, regardless of their background or circumstances.

Answer

Preferentially based on their abilities.

Answer

Differently based on their individual needs.

Question 43

What is a potential consequence of failing to uphold ethical principles in social care?

Accepted Answer

Loss of trust and damage to professional reputation.

Answer

Financial gain.

Answer

Increased job satisfaction.

Question 44

The Data Protection Act (2018) primarily regulates:

Accepted Answer

The collection, use, and storage of personal data.

Answer

Health and safety standards.

Answer

Financial transactions.

Answer

Employment contracts.

Question 45

Ethical dilemmas in social care often arise due to:

Accepted Answer

Conflicting values and priorities

Answer

Unclear policies

Answer

Lack of resources

Answer

Poor communication

Question 46

Which of the following is a strategy for resolving ethical dilemmas effectively?

Accepted Answer

Seeking consultation and support from colleagues or supervisors

Answer

Ignoring the dilemma and hoping it will go away

Answer

Relying solely on personal beliefs and opinions

Question 47

Ethical and legal considerations are essential for:

Accepted Answer

Protecting individuals and upholding professional integrity

Answer

Complying with regulatory requirements only

Answer

Saving time and resources