Occupational Therapist Test Professional Ethics 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: An OT student in fieldwork observes their supervisor documenting services that were not provided. The student should FIRST:
- Remain silent to protect the fieldwork placement
- Document the incident and report it to the academic fieldwork coordinator (Correct answer)
- Confront the supervisor in front of other staff
- Copy the documentation style to avoid drawing attention
Correct answer: Document the incident and report it to the academic fieldwork coordinator
Students have an ethical obligation to report fraud; consulting the academic fieldwork coordinator protects both the student and clients.
Question 2: Which of the following BEST describes 'scope of practice' in ethical OT decision-making?
- The range of diagnoses an OT is licensed to evaluate
- The boundaries of services an OT is educated, trained, and competent to provide (Correct answer)
- The geographic region in which an OT can legally practice
- The number of clients an OT can treat simultaneously
Correct answer: The boundaries of services an OT is educated, trained, and competent to provide
Scope of practice encompasses education, training, experience, and demonstrated competency across OT domains.
Question 3: An OT terminates services with a client who has not reached their goals due to insurance exhaustion. The ethical concern MOST relevant is:
- Fidelity
- Justice
- Abandonment vs. appropriate discharge planning (Correct answer)
- Beneficence
Correct answer: Abandonment vs. appropriate discharge planning
Ending treatment without ensuring alternative resources or proper transition planning can constitute client abandonment, an ethical violation.
Question 4: A client asks an OT to sign a document stating the client is unable to work, but the OT believes the client is capable. The OT should:
- Sign the document to maintain the therapeutic relationship
- Decline and explain that signing would be dishonest and professionally inappropriate (Correct answer)
- Refer to the physician for signature without explanation
- Sign with a disclaimer noting personal disagreement
Correct answer: Decline and explain that signing would be dishonest and professionally inappropriate
Signing documentation that is not factually accurate violates the principle of veracity and could constitute fraud.
Question 5: An OT working in a school setting wants to share a student's therapy records with a private clinic at the parents' request. Which law PRIMARILY governs this disclosure?
- HIPAA
- FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) (Correct answer)
- ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act)
- IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act)
Correct answer: FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act)
School-based therapy records are typically educational records governed by FERPA, not HIPAA.
Question 6: A client with a progressive neurological condition expresses a wish to stop all rehabilitation. The OT's most ethical response is to:
- Continue therapy as ordered by the physician
- Explore the client's reasons, provide information, and respect their informed decision (Correct answer)
- Notify family members to convince the client to continue
- Document non-compliance and discharge immediately
Correct answer: Explore the client's reasons, provide information, and respect their informed decision
Respecting autonomy requires exploring the client's perspective, ensuring informed decision-making, and ultimately honoring their choice.
Question 7: An OT is asked to participate in a research study. Which ethical principle MOST directly protects participants from harm in research?
- Veracity
- Justice
- The Belmont Report principles: respect, beneficence, and justice (Correct answer)
- Fidelity to the research sponsor
Correct answer: The Belmont Report principles: respect, beneficence, and justice
The Belmont Report established the foundational ethical principles — respect for persons, beneficence, and justice — that guide ethical research involving human subjects.
Occupational Therapist Test Professional Ethics 5
An OT student in fieldwork observes their supervisor documenting services that were not provided.
The student should FIRST: