Professionalism, Ethics, and Law Flashcards
7 cards from real NCBTMB practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Professionalism, Ethics, and Law flashcards as text
A therapist who is also a personal friend of a client begins treating that client professionally. The greatest risk of this arrangement is:
Answer: Difficulty maintaining objective professional boundaries
Pre-existing personal relationships make it significantly harder to maintain the clear professional boundaries required in therapeutic settings.
The principle of 'non-maleficence' in massage ethics means:
Answer: Avoiding actions that could harm the client
Non-maleficence means 'do no harm' — the therapist must avoid techniques, pressures, or interactions that could injure or harm the client.
A therapist suspects a client may have an undiagnosed medical condition. The appropriate professional response is to:
Answer: Refer the client to a physician for evaluation
Referring to a physician respects scope of practice while ensuring the client receives appropriate medical evaluation.
A state licensing board investigation is opened against a therapist for unprofessional conduct. The NCBTMB may:
Answer: Conduct its own investigation and take independent credential action
The NCBTMB may independently investigate and act on a therapist's national certification separate from any state board action.
A therapist realizes mid-session they are too emotionally affected by a client's story to work effectively. The best response is to:
Answer: Stop the session, explain honestly, and reschedule
Therapist self-awareness includes recognizing when personal emotional state impairs their ability to provide competent care.
Which practice best demonstrates cultural competence in a massage therapy setting?
Answer: Asking clients about cultural preferences that may affect draping or touch
Cultural competence involves adapting practice to individual client needs, including asking about culturally influenced preferences.
A client requests a receipt that misrepresents the services provided for insurance reimbursement. The therapist should:
Answer: Decline, as this constitutes insurance fraud
Falsifying receipts or insurance documents is insurance fraud, which is illegal and a serious ethical violation regardless of client pressure.