Grace, an occupational therapist, has noted some unethical billing practices by her favorite colleague and friend. She knows she should report her friend but is finding it difficult to do. Grace is having trouble sleeping and does not want to go work. Grace is experiencing which of the following?
A) Psychological stress
B) Ambivalence
C) Burnout
D) Moral distress

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The adverse effects of occupational stress can appear as psychological (e.g., irritability), behavioral (e.g., difficulty sleeping, attendance issues); and physical (e.g., headache) (CDC, 2008). Stress takes a toll on the health of the workers and their professional engagement in the workplace. "Some frequently reported consequences of stress among hospital workers are difficulties in communicating with very ill patients, maintaining pleasant relations with coworkers, and judging the seriousness of a potential emergency" (USDOL, OSHA, n.d.-b, para. 2). This can lead to compromised ethics and moral distress, which exacerbates stress. "Moral distress is tension that arises when a moral agent (e.g., a practitioner) is unsure of the best course of action to take or encounters a barrier that prohibits doing what" is known to be right (Erler, 2016).

Grace, an Occupational Therapist, Has Noted Some Unethical Billing Practices