Professional Responsibilities and Ethics Flashcards

A PT discovers that a colleague is billing for services not rendered. What is the MOST appropriate initial action?

Answer: Confront the colleague and report to the supervisor or compliance officer

The PT should first address the concern internally by confronting the colleague and reporting to a supervisor or compliance officer, which follows proper channels before external reporting.

Which of the following BEST describes 'abandonment' in physical therapy practice?

Answer: Terminating care without adequate notice or arranging for continued care

Abandonment occurs when a PT unilaterally terminates an established therapeutic relationship without proper notice or transition of care.

Under HIPAA, which scenario represents a permissible disclosure of PHI without patient authorization?

Answer: Providing records to a treating physician for continuity of care

HIPAA permits disclosure of PHI for treatment purposes, including sharing with other treating healthcare providers without explicit authorization.

A PT is treating a patient who reveals plans to harm a specific person. The PT's MOST appropriate response is to:

Answer: Warn the intended victim and appropriate authorities

Under the duty to warn (Tarasoff principle), clinicians must take reasonable steps to protect identifiable third parties from serious credible threats.

Which ethical principle is MOST directly violated when a PT provides unnecessary treatments to increase billing?

Answer: Nonmaleficence

Providing unnecessary treatments violates nonmaleficence (do no harm) by exposing patients to risk without therapeutic benefit.

A PT working in a school setting suspects a student has been physically abused. The FIRST action should be to:

Answer: Notify child protective services as required by mandatory reporting laws

PTs are mandatory reporters in all U.S. states, requiring immediate reporting of suspected child abuse to the appropriate authorities.

Which of the following BEST defines 'informed refusal' in physical therapy?

Answer: A competent patient declining recommended treatment after being informed of risks and benefits

Informed refusal is a competent patient's right to decline treatment after receiving adequate information about the risks, benefits, and alternatives.

A PT is asked by a patient to sign a document stating treatment was provided on a date when the patient was not seen. The PT should:

Answer: Refuse and explain that falsifying records is fraud

Falsifying medical records constitutes fraud and a violation of professional ethics; the PT must refuse regardless of pressure.

The APTA Code of Ethics principle of 'compassion and caring' is MOST closely aligned with which ethical principle?

Answer: Beneficence

Beneficence — acting in the patient's best interest — aligns most closely with compassion and caring as described in the APTA Code of Ethics.

A PT in private practice receives a referral bonus from a specialist for each patient sent for imaging. This MOST likely violates:

Answer: The Stark Law and anti-kickback statutes

Receiving financial incentives for referrals violates the federal Anti-Kickback Statute and potentially Stark Law, which prohibit such arrangements.

Which of the following BEST represents an example of a dual relationship that a PT should avoid?

Answer: Providing PT services to a close friend or family member as a primary therapist

Dual relationships — such as treating close friends or family — compromise professional objectivity and create ethical conflicts of interest.

When a PT disagrees with a physician's order that appears clinically inappropriate, the BEST course of action is to:

Answer: Contact the physician to discuss clinical concerns before proceeding

Professional responsibility requires the PT to communicate concerns directly with the physician before taking further action, respecting collaborative care.

Under the APTA Standards of Practice, supervision of a PTA by a PT requires that the PT:

Answer: Be available for consultation and conduct regular supervision per state law

PT supervision of PTAs requires availability for consultation and regular supervisory contact, with specific requirements varying by state law.

A patient requests that their PT not document a specific treatment technique in the record. The PT should:

Answer: Explain that accurate documentation is required and cannot be omitted

Complete and accurate documentation is both a legal requirement and an ethical obligation; omitting clinical information at a patient's request is not permissible.

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.