Ethics and Professionalism Flashcards
7 cards from real PCE practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Ethics and Professionalism flashcards as text
A physiotherapist discovers that a colleague is regularly practicing while impaired by alcohol. What is the most appropriate first action?
Answer: Confront the colleague privately and document the concern
The first step is to address the concern directly with the colleague and document it; if the behavior continues, escalation to the regulatory body is required.
A patient refuses a recommended treatment. After thorough education, the patient still declines. The physiotherapist should:
Answer: Document the refusal and respect the patient's decision
Competent adults have the right to refuse treatment; the therapist must document the refusal and continue to provide available alternatives.
Which scenario BEST exemplifies the ethical principle of justice in physiotherapy practice?
Answer: Allocating treatment resources equitably regardless of socioeconomic status
Justice requires fair distribution of care and resources without discrimination based on socioeconomic or personal factors.
A physiotherapist is asked by an employer to reduce treatment duration for all patients to increase clinic revenue. The ethical response is to:
Answer: Advocate for evidence-based treatment duration and report if patient safety is compromised
Physiotherapists must advocate for patient welfare and report practices that compromise evidence-based, safe care.
A patient shares information about illegal drug use during a session. This information is:
Answer: Confidential unless it poses an imminent risk of harm to the patient or others
Confidentiality applies unless disclosure is required by law or there is an imminent safety threat.
When a physiotherapist is unsure whether a specific intervention is within their scope of practice, the BEST action is to:
Answer: Consult regulatory guidelines and seek supervision or further training as needed
Practitioners must verify scope through regulatory standards and pursue appropriate education before performing unfamiliar interventions.
A physiotherapist develops romantic feelings for a current patient. The most ethical course of action is to:
Answer: Transfer care to another therapist and recognize the therapeutic relationship must end first
Sexual or romantic relationships with current patients are prohibited; care must be transferred before any personal relationship could ethically be considered.