CMT Safety, Ethics & Professional Standards 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A client discloses during intake that they are currently taking warfarin. Which action is most appropriate before proceeding with deep tissue work?
- Proceed normally since medication is not contraindicated
- Consult with the prescribing physician and modify pressure accordingly (Correct answer)
- Refuse treatment entirely until medication is discontinued
- Apply maximum pressure only to the lower extremities
Correct answer: Consult with the prescribing physician and modify pressure accordingly
Warfarin is an anticoagulant that increases bruising and bleeding risk, requiring physician consultation and pressure modification.
Question 2: Which of the following best defines the ethical principle of 'non-maleficence' as applied to manual therapy?
- Ensuring the client can afford treatment
- Obtaining written consent before each session
- Avoiding actions that cause harm to the client (Correct answer)
- Maintaining accurate billing records
Correct answer: Avoiding actions that cause harm to the client
Non-maleficence means 'do no harm' and obligates therapists to avoid techniques or actions that could injure or harm the client.
Question 3: A therapist notices a client has an undiagnosed lump near the cervical lymph nodes. The correct response is to:
- Perform lymphatic drainage to reduce swelling
- Document findings and refer the client to a physician (Correct answer)
- Ignore it if the client reports no pain
- Apply heat to the area to determine if it reduces
Correct answer: Document findings and refer the client to a physician
Undiagnosed lumps near lymph nodes are red flags requiring medical referral, as they may indicate serious pathology.
Question 4: When is it legally and ethically acceptable for a CMT to enter into a dual relationship with a client?
- When both parties provide written consent
- When the therapist has treated the client for over two years
- Dual relationships are generally discouraged and should be avoided whenever possible (Correct answer)
- When the relationship is social rather than romantic
Correct answer: Dual relationships are generally discouraged and should be avoided whenever possible
Dual relationships blur professional boundaries and create conflicts of interest that can compromise therapeutic effectiveness and client welfare.
Question 5: Which scenario represents a violation of client confidentiality?
- Sharing anonymized case notes in a supervised peer review
- Discussing a client's condition with a treating physician with signed release
- Mentioning a client's name and diagnosis to a colleague in a public elevator (Correct answer)
- Filing an insurance claim with the client's written authorization
Correct answer: Mentioning a client's name and diagnosis to a colleague in a public elevator
Discussing identifiable client information in a public setting without consent is a direct violation of confidentiality and HIPAA.
Question 6: A client asks their CMT to perform a procedure that is outside the therapist's scope of practice. The best response is to:
- Attempt the procedure if the client provides written consent
- Decline and refer the client to an appropriate licensed provider (Correct answer)
- Perform a modified version to partially meet the client's request
- Consult a textbook and attempt the procedure with caution
Correct answer: Decline and refer the client to an appropriate licensed provider
Performing procedures outside one's scope of practice is unethical and potentially illegal regardless of client consent.
Question 7: Under HIPAA regulations, a covered entity may disclose protected health information without patient authorization in which situation?
- When a family member requests it for caregiving purposes
- To report a communicable disease to a public health authority (Correct answer)
- When another therapist requests records for research purposes
- For marketing a new service to the patient
Correct answer: To report a communicable disease to a public health authority
HIPAA permits disclosure to public health authorities for disease surveillance and control without patient authorization.
CMT Safety, Ethics & Professional Standards 2
A client discloses during intake that they are currently taking warfarin.
Which action is most appropriate before proceeding with deep tissue work?