Occupational Therapist Test Professional Ethics 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: An OT discovers a colleague has been billing Medicare for services not rendered. What is the MOST appropriate first action?
- Report directly to Medicare fraud hotline
- Confront the colleague privately and document the conversation
- Report to the facility's compliance officer or supervisor (Correct answer)
- Do nothing to avoid workplace conflict
Correct answer: Report to the facility's compliance officer or supervisor
Reporting to internal compliance first follows proper channels before escalating to external authorities.
Question 2: A client with dementia cannot provide informed consent. Who is the MOST appropriate person to obtain consent from?
- The client's primary physician
- The client's legally authorized representative or healthcare proxy (Correct answer)
- The facility administrator
- The client's nearest relative regardless of legal status
Correct answer: The client's legally authorized representative or healthcare proxy
A legally authorized representative or healthcare proxy holds decision-making authority when a client lacks capacity.
Question 3: An OT is asked by an employer to provide services outside their area of competence. The ethical principle MOST relevant is:
- Justice
- Veracity
- Competence (Principle 5 of AOTA Code) (Correct answer)
- Autonomy
Correct answer: Competence (Principle 5 of AOTA Code)
The AOTA Code of Ethics Principle 5 requires OTs to maintain competence and only provide services within their scope.
Question 4: An OT provides a glowing reference for a former supervisee but omits known performance concerns. This violates which ethical principle?
- Fidelity
- Veracity (Correct answer)
- Beneficence
- Justice
Correct answer: Veracity
Veracity requires honesty and accuracy in all professional communications, including references.
Question 5: A client refuses a recommended home modification. The OT should FIRST:
- Document the refusal and respect the client's decision (Correct answer)
- Contact the client's family to override the decision
- Discharge the client for non-compliance
- Repeat the recommendation until the client agrees
Correct answer: Document the refusal and respect the client's decision
Respecting client autonomy means honoring informed refusal and documenting it appropriately.
Question 6: Which action BEST demonstrates the ethical principle of justice in OT practice?
- Providing extra sessions to clients who are pleasant
- Ensuring equitable access to services regardless of payment source (Correct answer)
- Prioritizing clients with better insurance coverage
- Offering services only in well-funded facilities
Correct answer: Ensuring equitable access to services regardless of payment source
Justice requires fair and equitable distribution of resources and access to occupational therapy services.
Question 7: An OT is treating a client who is also a personal friend. The MOST important ethical concern is:
- Violating HIPAA by knowing the client personally
- The potential dual relationship compromising professional judgment (Correct answer)
- The friend receiving preferential scheduling
- Billing complications due to the relationship
Correct answer: The potential dual relationship compromising professional judgment
Dual relationships risk compromising objectivity and the therapeutic relationship, which is a core ethical concern.
Occupational Therapist Test Professional Ethics 2
An OT discovers a colleague has been billing Medicare for services not rendered.
What is the MOST appropriate first action?