Chapter 14: Legal Issues and the Dental Radiographer
Iannucci: Dental Radiography, 5th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. The Consumer-Patient Radiation Health and Safety Act
1. outlines requirements for the safe use of dental x-ray equipment.
2. establishes guidelines for the proper maintenance of x-ray equipment.
3. requires persons who take dental images to be properly trained and certified.
a.
1, 2, 3
b.
1, 2
c.
2, 3
d.
1, 3
2. The Consumer-Patient Radiation Health and Safety Act is a ________ law.
a.
federal
b.
state
c.
county
d.
city
3. The process of informing the patient about the particulars of exposing dental images is termed
a.
a treatment alternative.
b.
disclosure.
c.
self-determination.
d.
behavior modification.
4. Informed consent
a.
must be in language that the patient can readily understand.
b.
does not require that patients have their questions answered before x-ray exposure.
c.
is waived if the patient is a minor.
d.
does not require that patients receive enough information to make informed
choices.
5. If the patient is a minor, informed consent
a.
is waived.
b.
may still be obtained from the patient.
c.
must be obtained from the parent.
d.
must be obtained from a legal guardian.
6. Generally, there are ____ elements to informed consent.
a.
two
b.
three
c.
four
d.
six
7. If you take dental images on your patient before getting his informed consent, your patient can
legally claim
a.
negligence.
b.
malpractice.
c.
malpractice or negligence.
d.
disclosure.
8. Which of the following constitutes a person who can provide legal informed consent?
a.
An individual under the influence of drugs or alcohol
b.
An adult (over the age of 18) who is of sound mind
c.
An individual who under duress has consented to the treatment
d.
An individual who received an incomplete description of the proposed treatment
9. The trend in dental negligence or malpractice actions has historically been to sue the
supervising dentist alone. However, cases exist in which the dentist and the dental auxiliary
have both been sued for the actions of the dental auxiliary.
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.
10. The standard of care can be defined as the quality of care that is provided by dental
practitioners in _______ locality under _________________ conditions.
a.
any; similar or very different
b.
a similar; the same or similar
c.
any; the same or similar
d.
a similar; similar or very different
11. Which of the following statements is true of the statute of limitations?
1. It often begins when the patient discovers or should have discovered that an injury has
occurred as a result of dental negligence.
2. It is the time period during which a patient may bring a malpractice action.
3. It may not begin until years after the dental negligence occurred.
a.
1, 2, 3
b.
1, 3
c.
1, 2
d.
2, 3
12. Which of the following statements is true of dental images and the patient’s dental record?
a.
Dental images may be discarded when outdated.
b.
It is advised to keep patient dental images in a file separate from patient charts.
c.
The dental record must include documentation of the number and type of dental
images exposed.
d.
Dental images are an optional rather than integral part of the dental record.
13. You have entered a wrong entry in the dental record. Which of the following should you do?
a.
Erase the entry and write in the correct entry.
b.
Block out the original entry and write the correct entry next to the original entry.
c.
Cover the original entry with white-out and write the new entry in over the
white-out.
d.
Draw a single line through the incorrect entry, initial it, write in the correct entry.
14. It is appropriate for any dental professional to discuss a patient’s care with
1. another patient.
2. office staff members who are not involved in the treatment of the patient.
3. another dentist involved in the patient’s care.
4. a physician with whom care is shared.
a.
1, 2, 3, 4
b.
1, 2, 3
c.
1, 2
d.
3, 4
15. Your patient wants her original set of radiographs. She claims they are hers because she paid
for them. Which of the following would be the best reply?
a.
Since you paid for them they belong to you.
b.
If your insurance company paid for them, they belong to the insurance company.
They will have to release them to you.
c.
You will have to sign a waiver before I can release them to you.
d.
Legally they are the property of the dentist even though you or the insurance
company pays for them.
16. Your former patient has moved and would like his records including the original radiographs
sent to his new dentist. Which of the following should you do?
a.
Forward the original radiographs to the new dentist.
b.
Make a duplicate copy to send to the new dentist unless the patient signs a release
to send the originals.
c.
Copy the original films, send the original films, and keep the duplicate set.
d.
Keep the original films and send the new dentist a duplicate set.
17. When a patient refuses dental images the dentist has deemed are necessary for treatment
planning, the dentist should refuse to treat the patient; however, the patient could sign a
release form that would allow the dentist to continue with the patient’s treatment.
a.
Both parts of the statement are true.
b.
Both parts of the statements are false.
c.
The first part of the statement is true; the second part of the statement is false.
d.
The first part of the statement is false; the second part of the statement is true.