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 is treating a minor patient. Who provides informed consent for treatment?
Answer: The parent or legal guardian, with the minor's assent when appropriate
Legal consent for minors is provided by a parent or guardian, though practitioners should seek the child's assent when developmentally appropriate.
Which behavior represents a violation of professional boundaries in physiotherapy?
Answer: Borrowing money from a patient
Financial transactions such as borrowing money from patients constitute a serious professional boundary violation.
The concept of 'veracity' in healthcare ethics requires physiotherapists to:
Answer: Be truthful with patients about diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment options
Veracity refers to the duty to tell the truth and communicate honestly with patients.
A physiotherapist receives a request from a lawyer for a patient's medical records related to a lawsuit. The correct action is to:
Answer: Release records only with a valid patient authorization or court order
Records may only be disclosed with written patient consent or a valid legal order such as a subpoena.
A physiotherapist disagrees with a physician's referral order that they believe is medically unnecessary. The best action is to:
Answer: Conduct an independent assessment and communicate clinical findings to the physician
Physiotherapists have professional autonomy to assess patients independently and communicate findings collaboratively with referring providers.
Which of the following BEST describes the ethical concept of 'non-maleficence' in physiotherapy?
Answer: Acting in a way that does not intentionally cause harm to the patient
Non-maleficence is the duty to avoid causing harm, including through negligent acts or omissions.
A physiotherapist working in a sports setting is pressured by a coach to return an athlete to play before full recovery. The therapist should:
Answer: Base the return-to-play decision on objective clinical criteria and patient safety
The physiotherapist's primary obligation is patient safety, and return-to-play decisions must be grounded in objective clinical evidence.