NCTRC Professionalism and Ethical Conduct Questions and Answers 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) is leading a community reintegration group for adults with traumatic brain injury. A participant expresses a desire to stop attending the group, stating they no longer feel it is beneficial. Which ethical principle should MOST guide the CTRS's initial response?
- Beneficence
- Autonomy (Correct answer)
- Justice
- Fidelity
Correct answer: Autonomy
The principle of Autonomy emphasizes respecting the individual's right to make their own decisions about their care. While other principles are important, the client's right to self-determination is paramount in this situation. The CTRS should first explore the client's reasoning but ultimately respect their choice to discontinue services.
Question 2: Which of the following actions BEST demonstrates the ethical principle of Beneficence?
- Ensuring all clients have equal access to services regardless of their background.
- Accurately documenting a client's progress in their chart.
- Actively modifying an activity to maximize a client's potential for success and enjoyment. (Correct answer)
- Respecting a client's decision to refuse participation in a program.
Correct answer: Actively modifying an activity to maximize a client's potential for success and enjoyment.
Beneficence is the principle of acting in the best interest of the client and actively promoting their well-being by maximizing possible benefits. Modifying an activity to ensure success and enjoyment directly contributes to the client's welfare and positive outcomes.
Question 3: A CTRS learns that a colleague has been documenting services that were not actually provided to clients. According to the NCTRC Code of Ethics, the CTRS's primary responsibility is to:
- Confront the colleague directly and demand they stop.
- Report the colleague's behavior to their immediate supervisor or the appropriate authority within the agency. (Correct answer)
- Discuss the situation with other colleagues to see if they have noticed the same issue.
- Ignore the situation to avoid creating conflict within the department.
Correct answer: Report the colleague's behavior to their immediate supervisor or the appropriate authority within the agency.
Professional ethics require the CTRS to take action when they witness unethical behavior. The principle of Veracity (truthfulness) and Fidelity (loyalty to clients and the profession) are key here. Reporting the fraudulent documentation to a supervisor is the appropriate step to protect the clients and uphold the integrity of the profession.
Question 4: A CTRS in a long-term care facility has a limited budget for new equipment. To ensure fairness in how the new resources are used, the CTRS should prioritize the ethical principle of:
- Non-maleficence
- Veracity
- Fidelity
- Justice (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Justice
The principle of Justice requires that recreational therapy personnel ensure individuals are served fairly and that there is equity in the distribution of services and resources. In this scenario, the CTRS must make decisions about the equipment that are fair and equitable for all residents.
Question 5: A client discloses to their CTRS that they have a plan to harm themselves. The CTRS is ethically and legally obligated to take action based on the principle of Non-maleficence. This principle obligates the professional to:
- Maintain absolute confidentiality as promised to the client.
- Respect the client's autonomy above all other concerns.
- Act in a way that prevents harm to the client. (Correct answer)
- Be truthful and honest in all communications.
Correct answer: Act in a way that prevents harm to the client.
Non-maleficence is the principle of 'do no harm'. In this situation, the duty to prevent harm to the client overrides the principle of confidentiality. The CTRS must take appropriate steps, such as notifying the treatment team or following facility protocol for suicide risk, to protect the client's safety.
Question 6: A CTRS promises a pediatric client that they will be able to go on a special community outing next week. However, the CTRS later finds out the trip has been cancelled due to transportation issues. To uphold the ethical principle of Fidelity, the CTRS should:
- Avoid the client for the next week to avoid having to tell them the bad news.
- Inform the client about the cancellation as soon as possible and explore alternative activities. (Correct answer)
- Tell the client the trip is still happening to keep their spirits up.
- Ask another staff member to break the news to the client.
Correct answer: Inform the client about the cancellation as soon as possible and explore alternative activities.
Fidelity means being faithful, loyal, and keeping commitments made to clients. When a commitment cannot be met, the professional has an obligation to be honest (Veracity) and address the situation responsibly. Informing the client and working on an alternative demonstrates loyalty and respect for the therapeutic relationship.
NCTRC Professionalism and Ethical Conduct Questions and Answers 1
A Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) is leading a community reintegration group for adults with traumatic brain injury.
A participant expresses a desire to stop attending the group, stating they no longer feel it is beneficial.
Which ethical principle should MOST guide the CTRS's initial response?