NPTE-PT Safety and Professional Responsibilities 3

Question 1

A PT receives a referral to treat a patient for a condition outside the PT's area of competence. What is the most ethical course of action?

Accepted Answer

Decline the referral and direct the patient to a qualified provider

Answer

Practicing outside one's competence violates the APTA Code of Ethics; the PT should refer the patient to a practitioner with appropriate expertise.

Question 2

A patient with a pacemaker is referred for interferential current therapy. What is the most appropriate action?

Accepted Answer

Contact the referring physician and withhold treatment pending clearance

Answer

Electrical stimulation is contraindicated over or near a pacemaker; physician clearance must be obtained before proceeding.

Question 3

During a home health visit, a PT notices the patient's home environment poses significant fall hazards. What is the priority action?

Accepted Answer

Address the safety hazards with the patient and caregiver immediately and document recommendations

Answer

Addressing and documenting environmental fall hazards immediately is a core PT responsibility in home health to prevent injury.

Question 4

A PT working in a school setting identifies a child who may have developmental delays beyond the current referral. What is the best action?

Accepted Answer

Notify the parents and recommend appropriate specialist referral

Answer

PTs are obligated to communicate relevant clinical findings to caregivers and recommend referral to appropriate specialists.

Question 5

Which is the correct sequence for hand hygiene in a clinical setting when hands are not visibly soiled?

Accepted Answer

Alcohol-based hand rub applied until hands are dry

Answer

When hands are not visibly soiled, an alcohol-based hand rub is the preferred hand hygiene method per CDC guidelines.

NPTE-PT Test Practice Test