Which term best describes the concept that does not change over time in ethical codes?

• A. Sets forth ethical responsibilities that never change.
• B. Sets forth ethical responsibilities that frequently change.
• C. Sets forth administrative duties that vary.
• D. Sets forth legal penalties that may evolve.

Answer: (A)

The key idea here is that some duties in ethical codes are meant to be constant across time. These are the enduring obligations that protect clients’ welfare and rights, and they anchor professional integrity no matter how other practices evolve. Confidentiality and respect for autonomy are classic examples of this stability: they represent fundamental commitments that counselors uphold regardless of changing laws, guidelines, or administrative procedures. In contrast, many other parts of codes—like administrative procedures or the specifics of legal penalties—can shift as policies and regulations change. Those aspects are not about timeless duty; they reflect how practice is organized and governed in different eras and places. So the best description is of ethical responsibilities that never change, the steady core that underpins ethical practice.