Scope of Practice and Ethical Standards

An EKG technician is preparing to perform an EKG on a patient who has a contagious infection. Which action should the technician take first to ensure their safety and that of the patient?

• Wear gloves only

• Put on gloves, a gown, and a mask

• Perform hand hygiene only after the procedure

• Skip using PPE if they maintain distance

Answer explanation

The technician should prioritize safety by putting on gloves, a gown, and a mask to protect against the contagious infection. This comprehensive use of PPE is essential to prevent transmission to themselves and the patient.

During an EKG procedure, a technician accidentally touches a contaminated surface without gloves. What is the best course of action?

• Use hand sanitizer and continue the procedure

• Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water

• Wipe hands with a dry cloth

• Continue with the procedure and wash hands afterward

Answer explanation

Washing hands thoroughly with soap and water is crucial after touching a contaminated surface to effectively remove any pathogens. Hand sanitizer may not be sufficient in this situation.

A coworker informs you they’re skipping PPE for certain patients to save time. What is the most appropriate response?

• Ignore it, as it doesn’t affect you

• Join in to save time on your own tasks

• Report the incident to your supervisor

• Suggest they only wear gloves as a compromise

Answer explanation

Reporting the incident to your supervisor is crucial as skipping PPE can jeopardize patient safety and violate health regulations. Ignoring or compromising on PPE is not acceptable in a healthcare setting.

You’re performing an EKG on a patient when a family member asks about the results. How should you respond to ensure HIPAA compliance?

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Answer explanation

You should politely inform the family member that you cannot disclose any patient information due to HIPAA regulations, emphasizing the importance of patient privacy.

An EKG technician overhears a colleague discussing patient details in the break room. What action should the technician take?

• Report the incident to a supervisor

• Join in the conversation if they know the patient

• Politely remind the colleague of HIPAA regulations

• Ignore it and continue with their break

Answer explanation

The technician should report the incident to a supervisor to ensure patient confidentiality is maintained. Additionally, politely reminding the colleague of HIPAA regulations reinforces the importance of protecting patient information.

You’re faxing a patient’s EKG report to a physician in another department. What should you do before sending the report?

• Ensure a cover sheet is included to maintain confidentiality

• Call the recipient to confirm the report was received

• Confirm the fax number with the patient

• Send the fax immediately without a cover sheet

Answer explanation

Before faxing a patient's EKG report, it's crucial to include a cover sheet to maintain confidentiality. This protects sensitive information and ensures that only the intended recipient accesses the report.

A patient asks you to explain their EKG results, as they seem anxious about their heart health. What should you do?

• Provide a brief interpretation to ease their worries

• Tell them to ask their physician for interpretation

• Interpret the results if they look normal

• Ignore their request to avoid providing inaccurate information

Answer explanation

Providing a brief interpretation can help ease the patient's anxiety about their heart health. It's also appropriate to suggest they consult their physician for a detailed explanation, ensuring they receive accurate information.

During a procedure, an EKG technician notices the physician performing a task incorrectly. What should the technician do?

• Correct the physician’s technique immediately

• Report the observation to the supervisor afterward

• Document the issue and continue with their work

Answer explanation

The technician should report the observation to the supervisor afterward. Correcting the physician immediately could disrupt the procedure, while documenting the issue without reporting it fails to address the potential risk.

If an EKG technician is asked to conduct a procedure they are not certified for, what is the most appropriate action?

• Perform the procedure with caution

• Politely decline and explain it’s outside their scope

• Observe another technician do it first

• Ask the patient for permission to proceed

Answer explanation

The most appropriate action is to politely decline and explain it’s outside their scope. Performing procedures without certification can lead to legal and ethical issues, compromising patient safety.

A patient is visibly nervous about an upcoming procedure. What is the best approach for the EKG technician to ease their concerns?

• Perform the procedure without explaining, to keep it brief

• Offer a quick explanation of the procedure to reassure the patient

• Allow the patient’s family to be present during the procedure

• Postpone the procedure until the patient is calm

Answer explanation

Offering a quick explanation of the procedure helps to alleviate the patient's anxiety by providing clarity and reassurance, making them feel more comfortable and informed about what to expect.