Professional Responsibilities and Ethics Flashcards
7 cards from real NPTE-PT practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Professional Responsibilities and Ethics flashcards as text
A PT discovers that a colleague is billing for services not rendered. What is the MOST appropriate initial action?
Answer: Confront the colleague and report to the supervisor or compliance officer
The PT should first address the concern internally by confronting the colleague and reporting to a supervisor or compliance officer, which follows proper channels before external reporting.
Which of the following BEST describes 'abandonment' in physical therapy practice?
Answer: Terminating care without adequate notice or arranging for continued care
Abandonment occurs when a PT unilaterally terminates an established therapeutic relationship without proper notice or transition of care.
Under HIPAA, which scenario represents a permissible disclosure of PHI without patient authorization?
Answer: Providing records to a treating physician for continuity of care
HIPAA permits disclosure of PHI for treatment purposes, including sharing with other treating healthcare providers without explicit authorization.
A PT is treating a patient who reveals plans to harm a specific person. The PT's MOST appropriate response is to:
Answer: Warn the intended victim and appropriate authorities
Under the duty to warn (Tarasoff principle), clinicians must take reasonable steps to protect identifiable third parties from serious credible threats.
Which ethical principle is MOST directly violated when a PT provides unnecessary treatments to increase billing?
Answer: Nonmaleficence
Providing unnecessary treatments violates nonmaleficence (do no harm) by exposing patients to risk without therapeutic benefit.
A PT working in a school setting suspects a student has been physically abused. The FIRST action should be to:
Answer: Notify child protective services as required by mandatory reporting laws
PTs are mandatory reporters in all U.S. states, requiring immediate reporting of suspected child abuse to the appropriate authorities.
Which of the following BEST defines 'informed refusal' in physical therapy?
Answer: A competent patient declining recommended treatment after being informed of risks and benefits
Informed refusal is a competent patient's right to decline treatment after receiving adequate information about the risks, benefits, and alternatives.