NPTE-PT Professional Responsibilities and Ethics

Question 1

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

Accepted Answer

Confront the colleague and report to the supervisor or compliance officer

Answer

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.

Question 2

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

Accepted Answer

Terminating care without adequate notice or arranging for continued care

Answer

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

Question 3

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

Accepted Answer

Providing records to a treating physician for continuity of care

Answer

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

Question 4

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

Accepted Answer

Warn the intended victim and appropriate authorities

Answer

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

Question 5

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

Accepted Answer

Nonmaleficence

Answer

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

NPTE-PT Test Practice Test

NPTE-PT Test Practice Test

NPTE-PT Professional Responsibilities and Ethics