Professional Standards and Ethics 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 Professional Standards and Ethics flashcards as text
A physiotherapist working in a hospital disagrees with a physician's treatment plan for a mutual patient. What is the most appropriate and ethical course of action?
Answer: Raise concerns respectfully through appropriate interprofessional channels and document the discussion
Physiotherapists have a duty to advocate for patients and must raise clinical concerns through professional dialogue while respecting interprofessional collaboration.
In the context of the PCE, 'professional boundaries' in the therapeutic relationship are best defined as:
Answer: The limits that define the professional nature of the therapist-patient relationship and protect both parties
Professional boundaries are the limits that distinguish a therapeutic relationship from a personal one, protecting patients from exploitation and maintaining trust.
A physiotherapist is approached by a previous patient (treatment ended two years ago) who expresses romantic interest. What is the most ethical response?
Answer: Exercise caution, as a power imbalance may persist, and consult the college's guidelines on post-therapeutic relationships
Power imbalances from therapeutic relationships can persist after treatment ends; most regulatory colleges require careful judgment and consultation of guidelines before entering such relationships.
Which of the following is a physiotherapist's obligation when ending a therapeutic relationship with a patient who still requires care?
Answer: Provide reasonable notice, ensure continuity of care, and facilitate transition to another provider
Abandonment of a patient who still requires care is an ethical violation; proper termination requires notice, a transition plan, and facilitating access to alternative care.
A physiotherapist is invited to speak at a public event and plans to share anonymized case studies. What must they ensure before sharing this information?
Answer: The cases are sufficiently de-identified so that no individual patient can be recognized
Anonymization must be thorough enough that no reasonable person could identify the patient, even in case studies used for educational purposes.
Under the principle of autonomy, which action best supports a patient's right to self-determination?
Answer: Providing complete information about options and respecting the patient's treatment choice even if it differs from the therapist's recommendation
Autonomy requires that patients receive sufficient information to make voluntary, informed decisions and that their choices be respected even when clinicians disagree.
A physiotherapist who holds a specialized certification begins treating conditions beyond that specialty due to high patient demand. This situation most directly raises concerns about:
Answer: Competence and scope of practice
Treating conditions outside one's areas of established competence violates the professional obligation to practice only within the boundaries of one's knowledge and skills.