Florida Physical Therapy Jurisprudence Practice Exam

Which violation results in a licensee being guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree?

1. Referring a patient without disclosure to an entity where the licensee is an investor

2. Practicing without an active license and causing serious bodily injury to a patient

3. Engaging in patient care with a license that has been delinquent for greater than 12 months

4. Copying or reproducing an examination

The correct answer is: Referring a patient without disclosure to an entity where the licensee is an investor

Referring a patient without disclosure to an entity in which the licensee is an investor constitutes a violation due to the potential for conflict of interest and lack of transparency. This type of referral can undermine the trust inherent in the patient-provider relationship, as patients have the right to know if their provider has a financial interest in the entity to which they are being referred. In this context, the law is particularly strict about maintaining ethical standards and preventing actions that could be construed as exploiting the patient for financial gain. Consequently, this violation is classified as a misdemeanor of the first degree because it reflects serious ethical misconduct that can harm patients and the integrity of the healthcare system. The other scenarios mentioned are also serious violations but fall into different categories based on the severity and immediate risk to patient safety. Practicing without an active license while causing serious bodily injury typically leads to more severe legal repercussions. Engaging in patient care with a delinquent license or copying an examination suggests a less direct harm to patients' immediate health or safety, which is why these actions are treated differently under the law.