NBCOT Ethics and Professional Practice 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which AOTA ethical principle requires OTs to act in the best interest of their clients?
- Autonomy
- Beneficence (Correct answer)
- Fidelity
- Justice
Correct answer: Beneficence
Beneficence requires OT practitioners to act in ways that benefit others and promote the health and well-being of clients.
Question 2: A therapist refuses to participate in a plan that could harm a client. This reflects which ethical principle?
- Fidelity
- Beneficence
- Nonmaleficence (Correct answer)
- Procedural Justice
Correct answer: Nonmaleficence
Nonmaleficence requires OTs to avoid actions that cause harm or risk of harm to clients, a foundational principle in healthcare ethics.
Question 3: Under HIPAA, which of the following is considered Protected Health Information (PHI)?
- General OT treatment protocols
- A client's name combined with their diagnosis (Correct answer)
- Anonymous survey data
- General population statistics
Correct answer: A client's name combined with their diagnosis
PHI includes any individually identifiable health information, such as a client's name linked to their medical condition, diagnosis, or treatment.
Question 4: Which document outlines the professional standards and ethical conduct expected of NBCOT certificants?
- AOTA Code of Ethics
- NBCOT Candidate Handbook
- NBCOT Certificant Code of Conduct (Correct answer)
- OTPF-4
Correct answer: NBCOT Certificant Code of Conduct
The NBCOT Certificant Code of Conduct specifies the ethical and professional standards required to maintain OTR/COTA certification.
Question 5: An OT accepts a gift from a grateful client. According to AOTA ethics, this is:
- Always acceptable
- Always prohibited
- Acceptable if modest and culturally appropriate, and does not influence care (Correct answer)
- Required to be reported
Correct answer: Acceptable if modest and culturally appropriate, and does not influence care
AOTA ethics guidance allows modest gifts when they are culturally appropriate and do not compromise professional judgment or therapeutic relationships.
Question 6: Which principle of the AOTA Code of Ethics requires OTs to maintain competency through continuing education?
- Autonomy
- Beneficence (Correct answer)
- Veracity
- Nonmaleficence
Correct answer: Beneficence
Beneficence requires OT practitioners to maintain competency to ensure they can provide beneficial, evidence-based services to clients.
NBCOT Ethics and Professional Practice 1
Which AOTA ethical principle requires OTs to act in the best interest of their clients?