Malfeasance is best described as which?

• A. A individual commits a act that is not theirs to legally perform
• B. A individual completes a legal duty
• C. A individual performs a legal act poorly
• D. A individual intentionally harms others

Answer: (A)

This item tests understanding of professional ethics terminology: malfeasance is performing an act you are not legally authorized to perform. That means carrying out a procedure or action that is outside your scope of practice or is illegal for you to do. In athletic training, this would be taking on duties or treatments you don’t have the authority or training to perform, regardless of intent. The best choice captures this idea precisely: doing something you’re not legally allowed to do. The other options describe different concepts: completing a duty correctly means you’re acting within your scope, not committing wrongdoing; performing a legal act poorly would be misfeasance (improper performance of a lawful act); and intentionally harming others describes harm but doesn’t inherently address whether the act was authorized or illegal, which is the hallmark of malfeasance.