Ethics & Professional Standards Flashcards

A patient from a different cultural background refuses a recommended orthotic device for religious reasons. The orthotist should:

Answer: Document the refusal, respect the patient's autonomy, and explore culturally acceptable alternatives

Respecting cultural and religious beliefs is part of patient-centered care, and practitioners must honor informed refusal while documenting it.

The ABC Code of Ethics requires orthotists to maintain competence through:

Answer: Ongoing continuing education and professional development

The ABC Code of Ethics mandates that practitioners maintain and expand competence through continuing education throughout their career.

An orthotist learns during a fitting that a patient is experiencing domestic abuse. The MOST appropriate action is to:

Answer: Provide information about resources and follow mandatory reporting laws where applicable

Practitioners have an ethical duty to connect patients with resources and comply with mandatory reporting laws while maintaining a supportive approach.

Which situation represents a dual relationship that could compromise professional ethics?

Answer: Providing orthotic care to a close personal friend

Providing clinical care to personal friends creates a dual relationship that can impair professional judgment and objectivity.

Under the principle of justice in healthcare ethics, an orthotist is obligated to:

Answer: Provide fair and equitable care regardless of a patient's socioeconomic status

Justice requires equitable distribution of care and resources without discrimination based on socioeconomic or personal factors.

An orthotist realizes mid-treatment that a case exceeds their competency level. The ethical course of action is to:

Answer: Refer the patient to a more qualified practitioner and explain why

Practicing within one's competency is ethically required, and referral is appropriate when clinical demands exceed current skills.

Social media use by orthotists raises which primary ethical concern?

Answer: Posting patient cases without explicit consent violates confidentiality

Sharing patient cases or photos on social media without written consent violates patient confidentiality and HIPAA regulations.