Radiology: Chapter 10 Legal and Ethical Responsibilities

d

Which of the following sets standards for digital radiographic system compatibility and facilitates electronic transfer of digital radiographic images between systems?

A. Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)

B. Protected health-related information (PHI)

C. Cloud file sharing systems

D. Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM)

a

Which of the following statements is correct?

A) The Consumer-Patient Radiation Health and Safety Act was designed to protect patients from unnecessary radiation.

B) The Federal Performance Act of 1974 was designed to protect patients from unnecessary radiation.

C) The Consumer-Patient Radiation Health and Safety Act requires that all x-ray equipment manufactured or sold in the United States meet federal performance standards.

D) There are no federal laws regarding use of dental x-ray equipment.

c

Each of the following statements regarding risk management is correct except one. Which one is the exception?

A) An attempt should be made to obtain duplicate copies of a new patient's radiographs.

B) The fastest film speed currently available should be used for all radiographs.

C) Unless required by law, personnel monitoring devices should be discouraged.

D) Image receptor holding devices and rectangular collimation used to reduce radiation exposure.

d

The federal Consumer-Patient Radiation Health and Safety Act

A) mandates safety requirements for collimation and filtration of equipment.

B) provides guidelines and recommended procedures for infection control.

C) provides and updates evidence-based selection criteria guidelines.

D) establishes standards for state certification/licensure of radiographic personnel.

b

Each of the following statements regarding informed consent is correct except one. Which one is the exception?

A) Speak to the patient in lay terms about the risks and benefits of exposing radiographs.

B) Allow the patient to choose who he or she wants to expose the radiographs.

C) Inform the patient about the risks of radiation exposure.

D) Inform the patient of the purpose of exposing the radiographs.

b

Each of the following statements regarding patients who refuse radiographs is correct except one. Which one is the exception?

A) The dentist must consider whether care can be provided without the radiographs.

B) A patient who does not want radiographs may sign a document releasing the dentist from liability.

C) Patients may believe radiographs are not necessary or that they will add to treatment costs.

D) Patients may be fearful that dental x-ray exposure will be hazardous to their health.

d

Which of these statements is false?

A) Professional rules of conduct are called a "code of ethics."

B) Professional ethics define a standard by which all members of a profession are obligated to conform.

C) The ethics of a profession help guide the behavior of the health care professional.

D) Ethics are laws and regulations pertaining to the behavior of the health care professional.

a

Which of the following is not a goal of the dental radiographer?

A) Keep retake radiographs under three per patient.

B) Perform confidently and with authority.

C) Aim for perfection with each radiograph.

D) Follow strict protocols to protect oneself during exposures.

d

Which of these statements is false?

A) Direct supervision means the dentist is in the office when radiographs are being exposed.

B) Each state's dental commission controls the scope of practice for dentists, dental assistants, and dental hygienists.

C) State laws governing dental radiographers with on-the-job training vary considerably from state to state.

D) Each state has a mandatory state exam or continuing education requirement for dental radiographers.

c

Which of these statements regarding risk management is false?

A) Obtain a duplicate copy of a new patient's radiographs if possible.

B) Use the best equipment currently available for exposing radiographs.

C) Take radiographs only if the dentist is present.

D) Establish a written quality assurance system for radiographic equipment.

c

Which of the following allow storage of documents and data as well as electronic access to image viewing software and provide an option for sharing large files?

A) CDs

B) Portable thumb drives

C) Cloud file sharing systems

D) HIPAA

b

Policies and procedures used to reduce the chances a patient will file legal action against the oral health care team is known as

A) a code of ethics.

B) risk management.

C) standards protocol.

D) radiation health and safety.

d

To give informed consent, each of the following must be explained to the patient except one. Which one is the exception?

A) The purpose of taking radiographs

B) The risks and benefits of taking radiographs

C) The possible risks of refusing radiographs

D) How the radiographs will be taken

a

Legally, radiographs are the property of

A) the dentist who originally prescribed the radiographs.

B) a new dentist if the patient leaves the original practice.

C) both the original dentist who prescribed the radiographs and a new dentist if the patient leaves the original practice.

D) the patient.

d

Patients may have reasonable access to their radiographs if

A) changing dentists.

B) having a consult with a specialist.

C) needed for litigation against the dentist.

D) all of the above occur.

b

Dental radiographs must be retained

A) 5 years after the date of exposure.

B) indefinitely.

C) when the patient ceases to be a patient.

D) after completion of treatment.

d

Who has a legal right to request copies of a patient's radiographs?

A) Another dentist

B) The patient

C) An insurance company

D) All of the above

c

The statute of limitations for bringing a malpractice suit begins

A) from the date that treatment was started.

B) from the date that treatment was completed.

C) from the date that the patient discovers an injury.

D) within 5 years from the date that the patient discovered an injury.

a

Certification and/or licensure to expose dental radiographs

A) is regulated by individual state laws, which may vary.

B) is not required in all states if one has accredited training.

C) may or may not be regulated by the dentist/employer.

D) is required by law in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

c

The legal right of the patient to refuse radiographs is a form of

A) the statute of limitations.

B) liability.

C) self-determination.

D) disclosure.

a

True or False? The State Performance Act of 1974 requires all x-ray equipment manufactured or sold in the United States to meet federal performance standards.

a. True

b. False

b

True or False? Radiographers in all states must conform to the Consumer-Patient Radiation Health and Safety Act.

a. True

b. False

a

True or False? Some states require additional credentials beyond passing the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination or Dental Assisting National Board Examination to place and expose radiographs

a. True

b. False

a

True or False? There are variations between states in terms of requirements for a dental hygienist or assistant to place and expose radiographs

a. True

b. False

a

True or False? There are national guidelines regarding who can place and expose dental radiographs

a. True

b. False

a

True or False? In malpractice cases, the dentist may be sued for the actions of the radiographer

a. True

b. False

a

True or False? "Liable" means to be legally obligated to make good any loss or damage that may occur

a. True

b. False

a

True or False? Original radiographs are the property of the dentist in whose practice they were made

a. True

b. False

b

True or False? Dental radiographs may be retained by the dentist for 10 years after the patient leaves the practice

a. True

b. False

b

True or False? Insurance companies and other third-party payers of treatment require original radiographs for pretreatment authorization purposes.

a. True

b. False