Ethics, Boundaries & Professional Standards Flashcards
6 cards from real PMC practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Ethics, Boundaries & Professional Standards flashcards as text
A parent instructs the therapist to perform a specific technique the therapist believes could harm the child. The therapist should:
Answer: Decline the request, explain the concern, and offer a safe alternative
Professional ethics and scope of practice obligate the therapist to decline harmful requests, explain the rationale, and propose evidence-based alternatives regardless of parental authority.
Social media posts showing identifiable photos of pediatric clients, even with positive intent, require:
Answer: Written consent from both parents and a separate HIPAA-compliant social media authorization
Identifiable images of minor clients require specific written consent separate from general treatment consent, including details about how and where the images will be used.
When a PMC therapist is uncertain about the safety of a technique for a specific pediatric client, the best course of action is to:
Answer: Consult peer literature, seek supervision, or refer to a specialist
Professional responsibility requires consulting evidence-based resources, seeking peer or supervisor consultation, or referring out rather than experimenting on a vulnerable pediatric client.
Which boundary scenario represents a clear ethical violation in pediatric massage therapy?
Answer: Accepting a gift card worth $200 and providing ongoing discounted sessions in exchange
Accepting significant gifts or entering into financial exchange arrangements outside normal fee structures creates a problematic dual relationship and boundary violation.
A PMC therapist's continuing education requirements exist primarily to:
Answer: Ensure therapists remain current with evolving evidence and best practices in pediatric care
Continuing education ensures PMC therapists maintain current knowledge of evolving research, techniques, and safety standards in pediatric massage therapy.
A teenage client (age 15) requests that the therapist not share session information with their parent. The therapist should:
Answer: Explain the limits of confidentiality for minors and consult applicable state minor consent laws
Confidentiality for minors is governed by state law; some states allow minor consent for certain services, requiring the therapist to understand and explain applicable legal limits.