Texas Physical Therapy Jurisprudence Exam | Questions
& Answers & Rationale | 2025/2026 | Latest Update |
Instant Download !!
1. A physical therapist evaluates a patient and discovers a medical condition outside the PT
scope of practice. What is the correct action?
A. Refer the patient to the appropriate physician or specialist
B. Continue treatment and monitor symptoms
C. Document and treat within PT scope anyway
D. Ignore the condition
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Texas PT law requires therapists to practice within their scope. Discovery of conditions
outside that scope mandates referral to avoid legal liability and ensure patient safety.
2. A PT student performs a procedure under supervision but exceeds their authorized scope.
Who is legally responsible?
A. Both the supervising PT and the student
B. Only the student
C. Only the supervising PT
D. No one
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Supervising PTs are legally responsible for ensuring students practice within their
authorized scope. Both parties can be liable for unauthorized practice.
3. A patient requests a home exercise program not supported by evidence. What is the PT’s
obligation?
A. Educate the patient and prescribe only evidence-based interventions
B. Prescribe as requested without discussion
C. Ignore the patient’s request
D. Document the request and proceed
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: PTs must use evidence-based practice. Patient autonomy is important, but interventions
must be safe and supported by professional standards.
,4. A physical therapist documents patient treatment inaccurately to meet insurance
requirements. Legal consequence?
A. Violation of law and ethics; may result in fines or license suspension
B. Acceptable if billing requires it
C. Minor administrative concern
D. Only relevant to internal audits
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Falsifying documentation is illegal and unethical. Texas PT law mandates accurate
record-keeping for patient care and insurance compliance.
5. A PT receives a referral from a physician not authorized under Texas law. What must the
PT do?
A. Verify the referral source is legally recognized before treating
B. Treat immediately
C. Ignore the referral source
D. Ask the patient to authorize treatment
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Texas PT law requires referrals to come from legally authorized professionals when
indicated. Treating without proper referral can violate regulations.
6. A PT treats a patient without informed consent. Legal issue?
A. Violation of Texas law; could result in license sanctions
B. Acceptable if patient verbally agrees
C. Only an ethical concern
D. Only relevant for research studies
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Informed consent is legally required before initiating treatment. Failure exposes the PT to
disciplinary and legal consequences.
7. A PT delegates exercises to an unlicensed aide. Which action is legally compliant?
A. Delegate only tasks within aide’s competency under PT supervision
B. Delegate all exercises
,C. Delegate without supervision
D. Avoid documenting delegation
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Texas law allows delegation to unlicensed aides only for tasks they are competent to
perform and under supervision. Documentation is required.
8. A PT documents a patient’s progress but uses vague terms like “doing well.” What is the
professional concern?
A. Documentation may be insufficient for legal and insurance purposes
B. Acceptable if patient seems satisfied
C. Only relevant for internal review
D. No concern
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Records must be clear, precise, and evidence-based to meet legal, ethical, and insurance
requirements.
9. A PT treats a patient with limited decision-making capacity. What is legally required for
consent?
A. Obtain consent from a legally authorized representative
B. Proceed with verbal consent from a family member
C. Consent is not required
D. Proceed and document verbal agreement
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Texas law requires legally authorized representatives to provide consent for patients
unable to make decisions, ensuring legal compliance.
10. A PT observes a colleague performing a procedure outside their scope. What is the correct
action?
A. Report the behavior to the appropriate authority and document concerns
B. Ignore it
C. Confront the patient only
D. Document but take no further action
Correct Answer: A
, Rationale: PTs have a duty to report unsafe or illegal practice. Ignoring violations could result in
legal and ethical consequences.
11. A patient refuses a recommended intervention. How should the PT respond?
A. Educate, document refusal, and adjust the plan within legal scope
B. Proceed regardless
C. Remove patient from care without documentation
D. Ignore patient refusal
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Patient autonomy must be respected. Documenting refusal protects both patient and PT
legally.
12. A PT practices telehealth across state lines without a Texas license. Legal implication?
A. Unauthorized practice of physical therapy; may lead to fines or license suspension
B. Acceptable if patient consents
C. Only an ethical concern
D. Only relevant to insurance
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Texas law requires PT licensure for practice within the state, including telehealth.
Practicing without a license is illegal.
13. A PT treats a patient with a physician’s standing order that conflicts with current PT
standards. Action?
A. Follow PT professional judgment and document any deviation
B. Follow order without question
C. Ignore PT standards
D. Delegate responsibility
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: PTs must adhere to professional standards. Deviations should be documented to maintain
legal and professional compliance.
14. A PT shares patient information with a family member without consent. Legal issue?
& Answers & Rationale | 2025/2026 | Latest Update |
Instant Download !!
1. A physical therapist evaluates a patient and discovers a medical condition outside the PT
scope of practice. What is the correct action?
A. Refer the patient to the appropriate physician or specialist
B. Continue treatment and monitor symptoms
C. Document and treat within PT scope anyway
D. Ignore the condition
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Texas PT law requires therapists to practice within their scope. Discovery of conditions
outside that scope mandates referral to avoid legal liability and ensure patient safety.
2. A PT student performs a procedure under supervision but exceeds their authorized scope.
Who is legally responsible?
A. Both the supervising PT and the student
B. Only the student
C. Only the supervising PT
D. No one
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Supervising PTs are legally responsible for ensuring students practice within their
authorized scope. Both parties can be liable for unauthorized practice.
3. A patient requests a home exercise program not supported by evidence. What is the PT’s
obligation?
A. Educate the patient and prescribe only evidence-based interventions
B. Prescribe as requested without discussion
C. Ignore the patient’s request
D. Document the request and proceed
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: PTs must use evidence-based practice. Patient autonomy is important, but interventions
must be safe and supported by professional standards.
,4. A physical therapist documents patient treatment inaccurately to meet insurance
requirements. Legal consequence?
A. Violation of law and ethics; may result in fines or license suspension
B. Acceptable if billing requires it
C. Minor administrative concern
D. Only relevant to internal audits
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Falsifying documentation is illegal and unethical. Texas PT law mandates accurate
record-keeping for patient care and insurance compliance.
5. A PT receives a referral from a physician not authorized under Texas law. What must the
PT do?
A. Verify the referral source is legally recognized before treating
B. Treat immediately
C. Ignore the referral source
D. Ask the patient to authorize treatment
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Texas PT law requires referrals to come from legally authorized professionals when
indicated. Treating without proper referral can violate regulations.
6. A PT treats a patient without informed consent. Legal issue?
A. Violation of Texas law; could result in license sanctions
B. Acceptable if patient verbally agrees
C. Only an ethical concern
D. Only relevant for research studies
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Informed consent is legally required before initiating treatment. Failure exposes the PT to
disciplinary and legal consequences.
7. A PT delegates exercises to an unlicensed aide. Which action is legally compliant?
A. Delegate only tasks within aide’s competency under PT supervision
B. Delegate all exercises
,C. Delegate without supervision
D. Avoid documenting delegation
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Texas law allows delegation to unlicensed aides only for tasks they are competent to
perform and under supervision. Documentation is required.
8. A PT documents a patient’s progress but uses vague terms like “doing well.” What is the
professional concern?
A. Documentation may be insufficient for legal and insurance purposes
B. Acceptable if patient seems satisfied
C. Only relevant for internal review
D. No concern
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Records must be clear, precise, and evidence-based to meet legal, ethical, and insurance
requirements.
9. A PT treats a patient with limited decision-making capacity. What is legally required for
consent?
A. Obtain consent from a legally authorized representative
B. Proceed with verbal consent from a family member
C. Consent is not required
D. Proceed and document verbal agreement
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Texas law requires legally authorized representatives to provide consent for patients
unable to make decisions, ensuring legal compliance.
10. A PT observes a colleague performing a procedure outside their scope. What is the correct
action?
A. Report the behavior to the appropriate authority and document concerns
B. Ignore it
C. Confront the patient only
D. Document but take no further action
Correct Answer: A
, Rationale: PTs have a duty to report unsafe or illegal practice. Ignoring violations could result in
legal and ethical consequences.
11. A patient refuses a recommended intervention. How should the PT respond?
A. Educate, document refusal, and adjust the plan within legal scope
B. Proceed regardless
C. Remove patient from care without documentation
D. Ignore patient refusal
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Patient autonomy must be respected. Documenting refusal protects both patient and PT
legally.
12. A PT practices telehealth across state lines without a Texas license. Legal implication?
A. Unauthorized practice of physical therapy; may lead to fines or license suspension
B. Acceptable if patient consents
C. Only an ethical concern
D. Only relevant to insurance
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Texas law requires PT licensure for practice within the state, including telehealth.
Practicing without a license is illegal.
13. A PT treats a patient with a physician’s standing order that conflicts with current PT
standards. Action?
A. Follow PT professional judgment and document any deviation
B. Follow order without question
C. Ignore PT standards
D. Delegate responsibility
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: PTs must adhere to professional standards. Deviations should be documented to maintain
legal and professional compliance.
14. A PT shares patient information with a family member without consent. Legal issue?
