AP Ethics & Professional Standards 3

Question 1

A minor patient (age 15) presents for acupuncture without a parent present. The practitioner should:

Accepted Answer

Verify state law regarding minor consent and obtain parental consent if required before proceeding

Answer

State laws vary on a minor's ability to consent to treatment; practitioners must know applicable statutes and document parental consent when required.

Question 2

Which document legally authorizes an acupuncture physician to treat an incapacitated adult patient?

Accepted Answer

A valid durable power of attorney for healthcare or healthcare proxy designation

Answer

A durable power of attorney for healthcare or legally designated proxy grants authority to make medical decisions for an incapacitated patient.

Question 3

An acupuncture physician discovers a billing error that resulted in overcharging a patient's insurance. The ethical obligation is to:

Accepted Answer

Correct the error, repay any overpayment, and document the correction

Answer

Billing integrity requires correcting errors proactively, repaying overpayments, and maintaining accurate records regardless of whether an audit is pending.

Question 4

A patient states they want to use acupuncture instead of chemotherapy for a newly diagnosed cancer. The practitioner's ethical duty is to:

Accepted Answer

Respect autonomy while ensuring the patient has complete information about the risks of forgoing conventional treatment

Answer

Respecting patient autonomy is balanced with the duty to ensure fully informed decision-making, including disclosure of risks from declining evidence-based treatment.

Question 5

Mandatory reporting of suspected child abuse by a licensed acupuncture physician is:

Accepted Answer

Required by law in all US states for mandated reporters including healthcare providers

Answer

All US states designate healthcare providers including licensed acupuncturists as mandated reporters, legally required to report reasonable suspicion of child abuse.

AP Practice Test

AP Practice Test

AP Ethics & Professional Standards 3