A client asks that information about abuse not be disclosed to others. The best response is to...

A client asks that information about abuse not be disclosed to others. The best response is to...

• A. Promise secrecy.
• B. Explain the limits of confidentiality and potential disclosures.
• C. Refuse to treat.
• D. Break confidentiality immediately if needed.

Answer: (B)

Confidentiality isn’t absolute in practice. When a client talks about abuse, you can’t promise secrecy if laws or safety concerns require disclosure. The best response is to explain the limits of confidentiality and what disclosures may occur. This means telling the client that certain situations—such as suspected abuse of a child, an elder or dependent adult, or imminent risk to someone—trigger mandatory reporting and may be shared with appropriate authorities or protective services. It’s also important to discuss how much information might be disclosed and under what circumstances, and to obtain informed consent for sharing beyond what is legally required when possible. This approach protects the client’s privacy while meeting ethical and legal duties, and it helps the client make informed decisions about what to disclose. It’s more appropriate than promising secrecy, refusing to treat, or breaking confidentiality without a clear, lawful reason.

Confidentiality isn’t absolute in practice. When a client talks about abuse, you can’t promise secrecy if laws or safety concerns require disclosure. The best response is to explain the limits of confidentiality and what disclosures may occur. This means telling the client that certain situations—such as suspected abuse of a child, an elder or dependent adult, or imminent risk to someone—trigger mandatory reporting and may be shared with appropriate authorities or protective services. It’s also important to discuss how much information might be disclosed and under what circumstances, and to obtain informed consent for sharing beyond what is legally required when possible.

This approach protects the client’s privacy while meeting ethical and legal duties, and it helps the client make informed decisions about what to disclose. It’s more appropriate than promising secrecy, refusing to treat, or breaking confidentiality without a clear, lawful reason.