National Guardianship
Association Examination
Section 1: Ethical Standards and Professional Conduct
1. The NGA Code of Ethics emphasizes that a guardian’s primary obligation is to:
A. The court that appointed them
B. The guardian’s employer
C. The best interests of the person under guardianship
D. The state agency overseeing guardianship
Answer: ✅ C. The best interests of the person under guardianship
Explanation: Guardians must always act in the ward’s best interests while promoting
self-determination to the extent possible.
2. Which of the following actions best reflects least restrictive alternatives?
A. Placing the ward in a secured memory care unit immediately
B. Allowing the ward to live independently with in-home supports
C. Transferring the ward to a nursing facility without evaluation
D. Limiting the ward’s contact with family to reduce stress
Answer: ✅ B. Allowing the ward to live independently with in-home supports
Explanation: The least restrictive environment supports maximum independence.
3. Guardians must avoid conflicts of interest. Which of the following is a potential
conflict?
A. Accepting a gift from the ward
,B. Coordinating medical appointments
C. Paying the ward’s bills from their account
D. Visiting the ward’s residence
Answer: ✅ A. Accepting a gift from the ward
Explanation: Guardians must not accept personal gifts or benefits from the ward to
avoid undue influence.
4. The NGA Code of Ethics requires a guardian to promote:
A. Independence, self-determination, and dignity
B. Institutionalization for safety
C. Financial security above all else
D. Legal isolation to avoid liability
Answer: ✅ A. Independence, self-determination, and dignity
Section 2: Legal Responsibilities
5. Guardianship is established through:
A. A private contract
B. An administrative agency decision
C. A court order after due process
D. A family agreement
Answer: ✅ C. A court order after due process
6. Before guardianship is imposed, the court must determine:
A. The ward’s net worth
B. That all less restrictive alternatives are insufficient
C. The family’s willingness to assist
D. The guardian’s residency
, Answer: ✅ B. That all less restrictive alternatives are insufficient
7. Guardians must file reports with the court:
A. Monthly
B. Annually or as required by law
C. Only when asked
D. Every five years
Answer: ✅ B. Annually or as required by law
8. What type of guardian has authority over medical decisions?
A. Guardian of the estate
B. Guardian of the person
C. Guardian ad litem
D. Trustee
Answer: ✅ B. Guardian of the person
Explanation: This guardian makes personal, health, and welfare decisions for the
ward.
Section 3: Decision-Making and Advocacy
9. Supported decision-making means:
A. Making decisions entirely on behalf of the ward
B. Allowing the ward to participate with support
C. Ignoring the ward’s input for efficiency
D. Delaying all major decisions
Answer: ✅ B. Allowing the ward to participate with support
10. The principle of substituted judgment means:
A. The guardian decides based on what they believe is best
Association Examination
Section 1: Ethical Standards and Professional Conduct
1. The NGA Code of Ethics emphasizes that a guardian’s primary obligation is to:
A. The court that appointed them
B. The guardian’s employer
C. The best interests of the person under guardianship
D. The state agency overseeing guardianship
Answer: ✅ C. The best interests of the person under guardianship
Explanation: Guardians must always act in the ward’s best interests while promoting
self-determination to the extent possible.
2. Which of the following actions best reflects least restrictive alternatives?
A. Placing the ward in a secured memory care unit immediately
B. Allowing the ward to live independently with in-home supports
C. Transferring the ward to a nursing facility without evaluation
D. Limiting the ward’s contact with family to reduce stress
Answer: ✅ B. Allowing the ward to live independently with in-home supports
Explanation: The least restrictive environment supports maximum independence.
3. Guardians must avoid conflicts of interest. Which of the following is a potential
conflict?
A. Accepting a gift from the ward
,B. Coordinating medical appointments
C. Paying the ward’s bills from their account
D. Visiting the ward’s residence
Answer: ✅ A. Accepting a gift from the ward
Explanation: Guardians must not accept personal gifts or benefits from the ward to
avoid undue influence.
4. The NGA Code of Ethics requires a guardian to promote:
A. Independence, self-determination, and dignity
B. Institutionalization for safety
C. Financial security above all else
D. Legal isolation to avoid liability
Answer: ✅ A. Independence, self-determination, and dignity
Section 2: Legal Responsibilities
5. Guardianship is established through:
A. A private contract
B. An administrative agency decision
C. A court order after due process
D. A family agreement
Answer: ✅ C. A court order after due process
6. Before guardianship is imposed, the court must determine:
A. The ward’s net worth
B. That all less restrictive alternatives are insufficient
C. The family’s willingness to assist
D. The guardian’s residency
, Answer: ✅ B. That all less restrictive alternatives are insufficient
7. Guardians must file reports with the court:
A. Monthly
B. Annually or as required by law
C. Only when asked
D. Every five years
Answer: ✅ B. Annually or as required by law
8. What type of guardian has authority over medical decisions?
A. Guardian of the estate
B. Guardian of the person
C. Guardian ad litem
D. Trustee
Answer: ✅ B. Guardian of the person
Explanation: This guardian makes personal, health, and welfare decisions for the
ward.
Section 3: Decision-Making and Advocacy
9. Supported decision-making means:
A. Making decisions entirely on behalf of the ward
B. Allowing the ward to participate with support
C. Ignoring the ward’s input for efficiency
D. Delaying all major decisions
Answer: ✅ B. Allowing the ward to participate with support
10. The principle of substituted judgment means:
A. The guardian decides based on what they believe is best
