Which of the following pairs represents common ethical issue categories in social work practice, and which is an example of a dual relationship?

• A. Informed consent; assignment of duties that violate organizational policy
• B. Confidentiality with client information; billing disputes with clients
• C. Safety planning; risk assessments
• D. Confidentiality with client information; dual relationships that could impair judgment

Answer: (D)

The main idea here is recognizing confidentiality as a central ethical issue in social work and understanding what constitutes a dual relationship. Confidentiality with client information is a fundamental ethical concern because it protects clients’ privacy and trust, which are essential for effective helping relationships. A dual relationship—having more than one role with a client, such as a personal, business, or familial connection—can impair professional judgment and create boundary issues, which is why an example that pairs a common ethical category with a potential boundary violation is the best fit.

This option correctly pairs confidentiality with client information as a common ethical issue category and identifies a dual relationship that could impair judgment. The other choices mix items that aren’t standard ethical issue categories with examples that don’t clearly illustrate a dual relationship, or they focus on clinical tasks rather than ethical boundaries, so they don’t align as well with the idea of common ethical issue categories and a dual relationship.