Dietetic Technician Practice Test

Which of the following is an example of an ethics violation by an RD?

1. The hospital food service receives holiday cards from food vendors

2. The inpatient RD accepts monetary gifts from a holistic physicians' group

3. The DTR is taking diet histories on all new admissions

4. The DTR in a long-term care setting is recovering from an addiction

The correct answer is: The inpatient RD accepts monetary gifts from a holistic physicians' group

Accepting monetary gifts from a holistic physicians' group constitutes an ethics violation because it creates a conflict of interest and can compromise the integrity of the Registered Dietitian's professional judgment. Ethics guidelines in dietetics emphasize the importance of objectivity and maintaining professional boundaries to ensure that decisions are made based on the best interests of clients rather than personal financial gain. Gift acceptance, particularly monetary gifts, can lead to perceived or actual favoritism towards certain vendors or groups, undermining trust in the dietitian's expertise and recommendations. The other options do not constitute clear ethics violations. For example, receiving holiday cards from food vendors may be a customary practice that does not affect clinical judgment. Taking diet histories on all new admissions is a standard practice for a Dietetic Technician Registered (DTR) and reflects proper patient care. Lastly, an individual recovering from an addiction may face personal challenges, but this situation does not directly equate to an ethics violation unless it affects their professional responsibilities.