Malpractice is professional misconduct in the application of skills or performance in the discharge of professional duties. Which option matches this definition?

• A. Beneficence
• B. Malpractice
• C. Civil liability
• D. Confidentiality

Answer: (B)

This item is testing your understanding of what constitutes malpractice in professional practice. Malpractice means professional misconduct that results from failing to apply skills correctly or to perform duties to the standard expected in the field. It reflects professional negligence—a deviation from the accepted standard of care that can harm a client.

Beneficence is about acting for the client’s benefit, not about misconduct. Confidentiality is about protecting client information. Civil liability refers to the legal responsibility that can arise if malpractice occurs, but it describes the consequence rather than the misconduct itself. Therefore, the term that best matches the definition given is the one describing professional misconduct in applying professional skills.