Standards of Practice, Ethical Conduct, and Professional Responsibility
This domain tests whether you can apply ethical principles to real OT decisions, not just recite them. Kentucky expects licensees to practice competently, respect autonomy, protect confidentiality, avoid conflicts of interest, and maintain professional boundaries.
Core rules
- Ethical practice includes beneficence, nonmaleficence, respect for autonomy, justice, veracity, and fidelity. The OT should provide services only within competence and refer when needed.
- Informed consent is an ongoing process: explain the nature of evaluation and intervention, expected benefits, material risks, alternatives, and the right to refuse. Document the discussion and the patient's response.
- Confidentiality is owed to the patient. Share protected information only for treatment, payment, operations, or as authorized by law. Use the minimum necessary disclosure.
- Professional responsibility includes accurate billing, timely documentation, honest credentials, and reporting impaired or unsafe practice through proper channels.
- Boundary violations, dual relationships, and exploitation of patients are unprofessional conduct even if no physical harm occurs.
Worked example
A patient refuses transfer training after a fall. The OT should not threaten discharge or falsify the note. The OT documents the refusal, explains risks in plain language, offers alternatives such as caregiver training, and re-engages the patient later.
Traps
Do not confuse consent with a signature on a form; do not disclose information because a family member asks; do not bill for services not delivered or not skilled.