Professional Responsibilities and Ethics Flashcards
7 cards from real NPTE-PT 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 Responsibilities and Ethics flashcards as text
A PT notices signs of elder abuse in a patient receiving home health services. According to professional standards, the PT MUST:
Answer: Report suspicions to adult protective services as a mandatory reporter
PTs are mandatory reporters of suspected elder abuse and must report to adult protective services regardless of family cooperation.
Which of the following BEST describes 'clinical competence' as an ethical obligation for PTs?
Answer: Continuously updating knowledge and skills to provide current, evidence-based care
Ethical competence requires ongoing professional development and lifelong learning to maintain current evidence-based practice.
A PT treating a patient for low back pain discovers the patient is using opioids prescribed by another provider without disclosing this. The MOST appropriate action is to:
Answer: Incorporate this information into the treatment plan and communicate with the prescribing provider
Knowledge of opioid use is clinically relevant and must be integrated into care planning with appropriate interprofessional communication.
The ethical principle of 'justice' in physical therapy practice is BEST exemplified by:
Answer: Ensuring equitable access to services regardless of ability to pay or demographic factors
Justice requires fair and equitable distribution of resources and services, ensuring access regardless of socioeconomic or demographic factors.
A PT is approached by a pharmaceutical company offering compensation to use their product exclusively with patients. This arrangement MOST directly raises concerns about:
Answer: Conflict of interest and undue industry influence
Financial arrangements with industry that influence clinical decisions create conflicts of interest that compromise patient-centered care.
When providing care in a state where a PT is not licensed, the PT is:
Answer: Potentially in violation of the state practice act and subject to disciplinary action
Providing PT services without licensure in that state violates state practice acts, except for very specific emergency or compact-covered situations.
A PT student observes their clinical instructor performing a technique that appears to cause unnecessary patient discomfort. The student's BEST action is to:
Answer: Discuss observations with the clinical instructor or program coordinator
Students should address clinical concerns through appropriate professional channels, starting with the clinical instructor or academic program coordinator.