NPTE-PT NPTE-PT Test Professional Responsibilities and Ethics Questions and Answers 2

Question 1

A physical therapist discovers that a colleague is treating patients while under the influence of alcohol. What is the most appropriate initial course of action?

Accepted Answer

Report the colleague to the state licensing board

Answer

Confront the colleague privately and ask them to stop

Answer

Ignore the situation to avoid conflict

Answer

Discuss the matter with other coworkers first

Question 2

Which ethical principle is MOST directly violated when a physical therapist provides treatment beyond their scope of competence without seeking additional training or referral?

Accepted Answer

Nonmaleficence

Answer

Beneficence

Answer

Justice

Answer

Autonomy

Question 3

A patient requests access to their complete medical record including the physical therapist's personal session notes. Under HIPAA, what is the therapist's obligation?

Accepted Answer

Provide the patient access to their designated record set, which may exclude psychotherapy-equivalent notes

Answer

Deny access because session notes are private

Answer

Provide access only if the patient's physician approves

Answer

Require the patient to obtain a court order

Question 4

A physical therapist working in a skilled nursing facility notices that the facility administrator is pressuring therapists to bill for services not rendered. What does the APTA Code of Ethics require?

Accepted Answer

Refuse to participate in fraudulent billing and report the activity through appropriate channels

Answer

Comply with the administrator's directive to maintain employment

Answer

Document the directive but continue normal billing practices

Answer

Negotiate a compromise with the administrator

Question 5

In which scenario would a physical therapist be MOST justified in breaching patient confidentiality without the patient's consent?

Accepted Answer

The patient reveals they plan to physically harm a specific individual

Answer

The patient's employer requests information about work restrictions

Answer

A family member asks about the patient's treatment progress

Answer

An insurance company requests additional clinical documentation

Question 6

A physical therapist is treating a patient who is also a close personal friend. Which ethical concern is MOST significant in this situation?

Accepted Answer

Dual relationships can compromise clinical objectivity and professional boundaries

Answer

The therapist may not bill insurance for treating a friend

Answer

The therapist must obtain special informed consent for treating acquaintances

Answer

State law prohibits treating individuals with whom one has a personal relationship