Ethics and Professional Practice Flashcards
7 cards from real NBCOT practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Ethics and Professional Practice flashcards as text
An OT student observes their clinical supervisor documenting a treatment session that did not occur. What is the student's ethical obligation?
Answer: Discuss the concern with the supervisor first, then escalate if unresolved
Students share the obligation to address unethical conduct; starting with a direct conversation and then escalating if needed follows both the AOTA Code of Ethics and appropriate professional process.
Which best describes 'scope of practice' in occupational therapy ethics?
Answer: The boundaries of competent practice defined by education, experience, and regulation
Scope of practice refers to the domain of competent practice determined by professional preparation, demonstrated competency, and applicable laws and regulations.
An OT learns that a client is being financially exploited by a family member. The client asks the OT to keep this secret. What should the OT do?
Answer: Report to Adult Protective Services as mandated by law, explaining the reporting obligation to the client
Elder and vulnerable adult financial abuse is a mandatory reporting situation in most U.S. states; the OT must report and should inform the client of this legal obligation.
The principle of 'nonmaleficence' in OT ethics most directly requires a practitioner to:
Answer: Avoid causing harm or imposing unnecessary risk on clients
Nonmaleficence means 'do no harm' and obligates OTs to avoid actions that could injure, exploit, or place clients at unnecessary risk.
An OT is treating a client who mentions plans to harm a specific coworker. What is the OT's obligation under the duty to warn (Tarasoff principle)?
Answer: Warn the identified potential victim and notify appropriate authorities
The Tarasoff principle establishes a duty to protect identifiable third parties from credible threats of serious harm, which may require breaching confidentiality.
An OT working in home health realizes a client's prescribed home modifications exceed what Medicare will cover. What is the most ethical course of action?
Answer: Inform the client of the coverage limits, discuss priorities, and explore alternative funding sources
Veracity and beneficence require the OT to be transparent about coverage limitations while actively helping the client explore all available resources to meet their needs.
Which action by an OT would constitute a violation of the ethical principle of veracity?
Answer: Documenting functional gains that did not actually occur to justify continued services
Veracity requires truthfulness and honesty; fabricating or inflating documentation to secure reimbursement is fraud and a direct violation of this principle.