Occupational Therapist Test Professional Ethics 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: An OT is offered a paid speaking engagement by a medical equipment company whose products they recommend to clients. This is BEST described as:
- A professional development opportunity with no ethical concerns
- A potential conflict of interest requiring disclosure (Correct answer)
- A violation of the OT's employment contract
- An acceptable industry practice with no reporting required
Correct answer: A potential conflict of interest requiring disclosure
Financial relationships with equipment companies can influence clinical recommendations and must be disclosed as a conflict of interest.
Question 2: An OT is treating a client from a different cultural background whose values about independence differ from Western OT models. The most ethical approach is to:
- Educate the client on the importance of independence
- Adapt goals to align with the client's cultural values and preferences (Correct answer)
- Refer the client to an OT of the same cultural background
- Follow standard protocols regardless of cultural differences
Correct answer: Adapt goals to align with the client's cultural values and preferences
Culturally competent practice requires integrating the client's cultural values and preferences into goal-setting and intervention.
Question 3: Which behavior MOST clearly demonstrates the ethical principle of beneficence?
- Completing only the minimum required documentation
- Advocating for a client's access to needed equipment despite insurance denials (Correct answer)
- Maintaining client records securely
- Charging fair market rates for services
Correct answer: Advocating for a client's access to needed equipment despite insurance denials
Beneficence means actively working in the client's best interest, including advocacy when barriers to care exist.
Question 4: An OT's state license has expired. They continue seeing clients without renewing. This is PRIMARILY a violation of:
- HIPAA regulations
- The facility's dress code policy
- Scope of practice and legal/ethical duty to practice only while licensed (Correct answer)
- The principle of veracity
Correct answer: Scope of practice and legal/ethical duty to practice only while licensed
Practicing without a valid license violates state law and AOTA ethical standards requiring legal compliance and competent practice.
Question 5: When an OT uses standardized assessment tools, which ethical obligation is PRIMARILY being fulfilled?
- Justice — ensuring all clients are tested equally
- Competence — using evidence-based, validated methods (Correct answer)
- Fidelity — keeping promises to the client
- Veracity — reporting scores honestly
Correct answer: Competence — using evidence-based, validated methods
Using standardized, validated assessments reflects the OT's obligation to practice competently using evidence-based tools.
Question 6: An OT learns that a colleague is practicing while impaired by alcohol. The MOST ethical course of action is:
- Ignore the behavior as it has not been proven
- Report to the state licensing board after gathering sufficient evidence
- Immediately report to a supervisor or compliance officer (Correct answer)
- Warn the colleague once and take no further action
Correct answer: Immediately report to a supervisor or compliance officer
Impaired practice poses immediate client safety risk; reporting to a supervisor or compliance officer is the required first action.
Question 7: A client's employer contacts the OT requesting information about their work injury assessment. Without a signed release, the OT should:
- Share summary information since it involves a work injury
- Provide information only if the employer is paying for the service
- Decline to share any information without the client's written authorization (Correct answer)
- Share the information with the treating physician's verbal approval
Correct answer: Decline to share any information without the client's written authorization
HIPAA requires written client authorization before disclosing protected health information to third parties, including employers.
Occupational Therapist Test Professional Ethics 4
An OT is offered a paid speaking engagement by a medical equipment company whose products they recommend to clients.
This is BEST described as: