Professional Ethics and Laws Flashcards
7 cards from real Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Professional Ethics and Laws flashcards as text
A client requests that the massage therapist not document any notes about their session for privacy reasons. The therapist should:
Answer: Explain that maintaining accurate records is a professional and legal obligation
Record-keeping is a professional and often legal obligation that protects both the client and therapist; the therapist cannot ethically forgo documentation based on client preference.
A massage therapist realizes mid-session that they have inadequate training to safely perform a technique the client is requesting. The appropriate action is to:
Answer: Stop and explain that the requested technique exceeds their current training
Practicing outside one's competence level violates the ethical principle of non-maleficence and may cause the client harm.
Which of the following scenarios represents a potential HIPAA violation by a massage therapist?
Answer: Mentioning a client's name and condition to a friend in a public restaurant
Disclosing a client's identity and health information in a public place where others can overhear constitutes an unauthorized disclosure under HIPAA.
A massage therapist is approached by a client to enter into a barter arrangement, exchanging massage sessions for landscaping services. This arrangement:
Answer: May be acceptable if clearly agreed upon, with no exploitation of either party
Barter may be ethically acceptable when both parties freely agree, the terms are clear, and neither party is exploited or put at a disadvantage.
What is the significance of a written therapeutic massage contract or agreement with clients?
Answer: It clarifies expectations, boundaries, and the nature of the therapeutic relationship for both parties
A written agreement helps establish mutual understanding of the professional relationship, services, policies, and boundaries before treatment begins.
A massage therapist notices signs consistent with domestic violence on a client. In most US states, massage therapists:
Answer: Are only required to report suspected abuse involving minors or dependent adults
While mandatory reporting laws for child abuse apply broadly, most states require reporting suspected abuse of minors and dependent/vulnerable adults, not competent adults.
The ethical principle of fidelity in massage therapy practice refers to:
Answer: Keeping promises, honoring commitments, and being trustworthy to clients
Fidelity means being faithful to one's professional commitments and maintaining trustworthiness in all aspects of the therapeutic relationship.