California Law and Ethics Practice Exam

What right does a client have when a social worker solicits unnecessary personal information?

1. Right to confidentiality

2. Right to privacy

3. Right to informed consent

4. Right to fair treatment

The correct answer is: Right to privacy

The correct choice is the right to privacy, which protects an individual's ability to keep personal information private and free from unnecessary intrusion. When a social worker requests personal information that is not relevant to the client's treatment or case, it can be seen as an infringement on the client's privacy. This right is fundamental because it allows clients to control their own personal data and decide what to share, ensuring that they are not coerced or pressured into divulging sensitive information that does not pertain to their treatment. While the right to confidentiality also plays a crucial role in protecting the client's information once it's shared, the specific concern raised by the solicitation of unnecessary information is more directly related to privacy rights. Informed consent refers to the client's understanding and agreement to the services provided, and fair treatment pertains to the ethical obligation of social workers to treat clients justly and equitably. However, neither of these rights directly addresses the issue of soliciting unnecessary personal information in the same way that the right to privacy does.