Professional Behavior Flashcards

A prenatal massage client asks the therapist to falsify her intake form to hide a high-risk condition from her insurance company. The therapist must:

Answer: Refuse, as falsifying records is both unethical and potentially illegal

Falsifying records is fraud and a serious ethical and legal violation regardless of the client's circumstances or consent.

To maintain cultural competence when serving a diverse prenatal clientele, a therapist should:

Answer: Actively learn about cultural practices, communication styles, and beliefs relevant to pregnancy and bodywork

Cultural competence requires ongoing education about how cultural values and beliefs influence a client's experience of pregnancy and therapeutic touch.

A prenatal massage therapist overhears a colleague at a shared practice make a derogatory comment about a pregnant client in the break room. The professional obligation is to:

Answer: Address the colleague directly or report the behavior to a supervisor or ethics authority

Professional behavior includes upholding standards of respect even in private settings; witnessing unethical conduct creates an obligation to respond.

Which of the following best describes the principle of 'non-maleficence' as it applies to prenatal massage practice?

Answer: Avoiding actions that could cause harm to the pregnant client or her fetus

Non-maleficence means 'do no harm' — in prenatal massage, this requires avoiding techniques, positions, or pressure that could injure the mother or fetus.

A prenatal client who is a healthcare provider herself begins directing the therapist on how to perform the massage. The therapist should:

Answer: Listen respectfully, incorporate reasonable requests, but maintain professional judgment within scope of practice

Client input is valuable and should be respected, but the therapist retains responsibility for professional decision-making within their scope of practice.

Which behavior best reflects ongoing professional development in prenatal massage therapy?

Answer: Completing continuing education, attending industry conferences, and staying current with perinatal research

Ongoing professional development through continuing education and research review ensures the therapist's knowledge and skills remain current and evidence-informed.

When a prenatal client disagrees with the therapist's recommendation to discontinue massage due to a newly identified contraindication, the therapist should:

Answer: Calmly explain the clinical reason, offer to coordinate with her physician, and maintain the decision to pause treatment

When a contraindication exists, the therapist must uphold clinical safety standards even when the client disagrees, and offer clear explanation and medical referral.