Janine meets her friend for dinner after work and wants to discuss her clients. What specific rule did she violate?

The reason the choice regarding talking about clients in public places is correct relates to the fundamental ethical obligation to protect client confidentiality. Discussing clients in public settings exposes sensitive information to unintended listeners, which violates the principle of confidentiality that behavior analysts and RBTs are bound to uphold. This obligation is crucial because clients have the right to privacy concerning their personal information and situations.

Confidentiality is a core aspect of professional behavior, emphasizing that all discussions about clients should occur in private and secure environments where unauthorized individuals cannot access the information. Meeting a friend for dinner would not provide the level of privacy necessary to maintain confidentiality adequately. Therefore, any discussion of clients in such settings directly contravenes ethical guidelines.

While maintaining professional boundaries, ensuring confidentiality in all settings, and avoiding discussions of work outside of office hours are all important aspects of professional practice, the most direct violation in this scenario is the act of discussing clients in a public place where anonymity cannot be guaranteed.