Deck 15: Legal Considerations and Risk Management

Question 1

Which of the following is true regarding the best practice in obtaining informed consent?

A) Clearly present only the benefits associated with the procedure.
B) Ultimately, it is the patient's decision whether to accept a procedure or not.
C) Presenting the risks of the procedure could possibly scare the patient into choosing not to have the procedure performed.
D) Tweens and teenagers are capable of granting their own informed consent for treatment.

Answer 1

Ultimately, it is the patient's decision whether to accept a procedure or not.

Question 2

The dental hygienist should always follow the lead direction of the supervising dentist.

Answer 2

False

Question 3

Postexposure management's goal is to contain the injury to reduce the possibility of disease transmission.

Answer 3

True

Question 4

The dental hygienist should report only gross negligence by a health care provider to the responsible authorities.

Question 5

A dental hygienist may be charged with malpractice if he/she induces harm to the patient or if a breach of duty exists.

Question 6

All dental facilities that employ more than 15 people must have a postexposure management protocol for occupational exposures.

Question 7

For a percutaneous injury,details of the incident report should include the depth of the wound,the gauge of the needle,and whether fluid was injected.

Question 8

What is contact of the mucous membrane with blood,saliva,tissue,or other body fluids that are potentially infectious called?

A) Occupational exposure
B) Occupational hazard
C) Primary prevention
D) Tertiary prevention

Question 9

The individual state licensing boards are responsible for making sure that dental hygienists maintain professional competency,credentials,and continuing educational requirement fulfillments.

Question 10

The type of supervision in which the dentist must be physically present on the premise is called:

A) Direct supervision
B) Indirect supervision
C) General supervision
D) All of the above

Question 11

A dental hygienist does not necessarily need to purchase his/her own liability insurance because he/she is typically covered under the umbrella of the supervising dentist's professional liability insurance.

Question 12

The qualified health care provider corresponds directly with the exposed health care worker so as not to violate HIPPA.

Question 13

The dental hygienist must follow the most current postexposure guidelines set by OSHA.

Question 14

Due to the high standards of the dental hygiene curriculum,the licensed dental hygienist is prepared for any experience within the dental office.

Question 15

Due to the scope of practice for dentist,they are more at risk for litigation.Risk management identifies methods to negotiate the risk of legal actions associated with the delivery of oral care.

A) Both statements are true.
B) Both statements are false.
C) The first statement is true; the second statement is false.
D) The first statement is false; the second statement is true.

Question 16

Any dental history regarding a patient's psychological state as related to injections or nervousness is subjective and should not be included in dental notes.

Question 17

Any refusal of treatment by the patient and a brief statement documenting the discussion of risks associated with refusal of treatment should be documented in the patient record.

Question 18

Which of the following factors may serve to decrease the risk of possible litigation?

A) Minimizing misunderstandings
B) Resolving problems as they arise
C) Developing a one-on-one relationship with the patient to build trust and confidence
D) All of the above

Question 19

Most states require the dental hygienist to apply for an additional local anesthesia license or certificate in lieu of the regular dental hygiene license to legally administer local anesthetics.

Question 20

What is the primary objective of dental hygiene care?

A) To be a part of a profession that emphasizes autonomy for the dental hygienist
B) To provide thorough and comprehensive preventive care to our patients
C) To assist patients in preventing disease and maintaining oral health
D) All of the above

Question 21

Dental hygienist-employer communication best practices include:

A) Open discussion regarding the potential liabilities for dental personnel
B) Brainstorming liability prevention strategies
C) Writing or reviewing the office protocol
D) All of the above

Question 22

What guides the conduct of the health care professionals?

A) Ethical principles
B) State laws
C) National laws
D) Knowledge

Question 23

What does the statement "A dental hygienist must meet the standard of care set by other practitioners with similar training" mean?

A) The dental hygienist must pass a written and clinical board.
B) The dental hygienist is expected to gain knowledge and skills throughout her career.
C) The dental hygienist only has to be as good as the least-educated person on staff.
D) Dental hygienists with an associate's degree are not expected to be as knowledgeable as dental hygienists with a bachelor's degree.

Question 24

Which of the following are dental hygiene considerations?

A) Confidentiality
B) Meeting the standards set by other practitioners
C) Informed consent
D) All of the above

Question 25

What should the clinician do if the patient decides not to accept the offered dental treatment?

A) Explain the risks associated with no treatment.
B) Offer an alternative but less expensive treatment.
C) Refer the patient to another dental office.
D) Say "okay" and proceed with the rest of the dental appointment.

Question 26

What should the dental hygienist do to prevent the possibility of litigation?

A) Practice life-long learning
B) Document accurately and thoroughly
C) Obtain multiple dental hygiene licenses
D) a and b

Question 27

Always be sure to administer the appropriate volume of anesthetic for the area that can reasonably be completed during one appointment.On completion of one quadrant of nonsurgical periodontal treatment,the clinician can administer more anesthetic,even if the MRD has been reached.

A) Both statements are true.
B) Both statements are false.
C) The first statement is true; the second statement is false.
D) The first statement is false; the second statement is true.

Question 28

Whatever the situation may be,malpractice may be determined if the contractual obligations are not met by the dental hygienist.A dental hygienist may commit a negligent act during the administration of local anesthetics by causing paresthesia.

A) Both statements are true.
B) Both statements are false.
C) The first statement is true; the second statement is false.
D) The first statement is false; the second statement is true.

Question 29

How long does the qualified health care provider have to provide the employer with a written report?

A) 10 days
B) 15 days
C) 1 month
D) As long as necessary

Question 30

What must the qualified health care professional consider when assessing the need for follow-up of occupational exposures?

A) Susceptibility of exposed person
B) Infectious status of source
C) Amount of fluid/tissue involved in the exposure
D) All of the above

Question 31

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,which of the following conditions constitute occupational exposures in dentistry?

A) Contact of mucous membrane with body fluids that are potentially infectious
B) A percutaneous injury
C) When skin that is chapped, abraded, or affected by dermatitis is exposed to blood or saliva
D) All of the above

Question 32

Striving to utilize all protocols to prevent injury from occurring is which category of prevention and management of injury?

A) Primary prevention
B) Secondary prevention
C) Tertiary prevention
D) Risk reduction protocol

Question 33

Which of the following legal issues pertain to the dental hygienist?

A) Contractual obligation to the patient
B) Assumption of own legal responsibility
C) Accountability if the patient's periodontal status declines
D) All of the above