Professional Ethics & Legal Standards Flashcards

A client with a physician referral wants to stop the physician-recommended precautions and increase exercise intensity. What should the therapist do?

Answer: Maintain the precautions and communicate with the referring physician before changes

Changes to physician-set precautions require consultation with the referring provider to protect safety and meet legal obligations.

Which of the following is an example of a dual relationship that may compromise professional boundaries?

Answer: Providing therapy to a client who is also a close business partner

Overlapping personal or business relationships can impair objectivity and risk exploitation of the client.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires aquatic facilities open to the public to do which of the following?

Answer: Provide accessible means of entry, such as lifts or ramps, where readily achievable or required

ADA accessibility standards require accessible entry to pools, typically via lifts or sloped entries.

A client accidentally slips during a session and is injured. What is the appropriate first priority for documentation?

Answer: Complete an objective, timely incident report following facility policy

Timely, factual incident reports protect the client and the therapist and are required by most facilities.

Which situation is the clearest breach of confidentiality?

Answer: Discussing a client's diagnosis in a crowded locker room

Discussing identifiable health information where others can overhear violates privacy requirements.

A therapist accepts an expensive gift from a client near the end of care. What is the best ethical consideration?

Answer: Review facility policy and consider whether the gift could create a conflict of interest

Gifts can create conflicts of interest or undue influence, so policy and perceived impropriety should be weighed.

What does the term 'scope of practice' define?

Answer: The procedures and responsibilities a professional is legally and educationally qualified to perform

Scope of practice defines what a professional may do based on law, training, and competence.