Occupational Therapist Test Professional Ethics 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: An OT suspects a pediatric client is being abused at home. Under mandatory reporting laws, the OT should:
- Consult with legal counsel before reporting
- Report suspicions to child protective services immediately (Correct answer)
- Wait for definitive proof before filing a report
- Discuss the concern with the parents first
Correct answer: Report suspicions to child protective services immediately
OTs are mandatory reporters and must report reasonable suspicion of child abuse immediately without waiting for proof.
Question 2: A client shares suicidal ideation with an OT and asks the information be kept confidential. The OT should:
- Honor confidentiality and keep the information private
- Break confidentiality and inform the treatment team immediately (Correct answer)
- Ask the client to sign a waiver before sharing
- Refer the client to a psychiatrist without telling the team
Correct answer: Break confidentiality and inform the treatment team immediately
Safety risk to self is a recognized exception to confidentiality requiring immediate disclosure to protect the client.
Question 3: What does the AOTA Code of Ethics Principle of 'Nonmaleficence' require of OTs?
- Doing good for the client at all times
- Avoiding actions that cause harm or injury (Correct answer)
- Maintaining equal access to services
- Being truthful in all communications
Correct answer: Avoiding actions that cause harm or injury
Nonmaleficence means refraining from actions that cause unnecessary harm, injury, or suffering.
Question 4: An OT receives a gift from a grateful client worth $150. The MOST appropriate response is:
- Accept it to avoid offending the client
- Accept it and report it per facility policy
- Decline it and explain the professional boundary regarding gifts (Correct answer)
- Accept it only if the client has been discharged
Correct answer: Decline it and explain the professional boundary regarding gifts
Accepting gifts from clients can compromise the therapeutic relationship and boundary integrity; declining is generally the ethical standard.
Question 5: An OT documents that a goal was met when it was only partially achieved. This violates which principle MOST directly?
- Autonomy
- Fidelity
- Veracity (Correct answer)
- Justice
Correct answer: Veracity
Veracity requires truthful and accurate documentation; falsifying records directly violates this principle.
Question 6: Which scenario BEST represents a violation of the ethical principle of fidelity?
- Failing to disclose a conflict of interest to a client
- Providing services outside the OT's competence area
- Breaking a promise made to a client about their care plan (Correct answer)
- Charging a client more than the standard fee
Correct answer: Breaking a promise made to a client about their care plan
Fidelity requires faithfulness to commitments and promises made within the therapeutic relationship.
Question 7: An OT disagrees with a physician's order that they believe is not in the client's best interest. The best course of action is to:
- Follow the order without question
- Refuse to implement the order immediately
- Communicate concerns to the physician and document the discussion (Correct answer)
- Ask the client to request a different physician
Correct answer: Communicate concerns to the physician and document the discussion
Advocating for the client through professional communication while documenting ensures ethical practice and interprofessional collaboration.
Occupational Therapist Test Professional Ethics 3
An OT suspects a pediatric client is being abused at home.
Under mandatory reporting laws, the OT should: