ABCN Emergency Response Procedures 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A neuropsychologist is conducting an outpatient evaluation when the patient discloses active suicidal ideation with a specific plan and access to means. What is the FIRST priority action?
- Complete the evaluation and schedule a follow-up
- Ensure the patient's immediate safety and contact emergency services if necessary (Correct answer)
- Notify the patient's insurance company
- Document the disclosure and discharge the patient
Correct answer: Ensure the patient's immediate safety and contact emergency services if necessary
Immediate safety takes priority; the clinician must assess risk level and contact emergency services or arrange hospitalization when a specific plan and means are present.
Question 2: Under HIPAA's emergency exception, a neuropsychologist may disclose protected health information without patient authorization when:
- The patient requests a copy of their records
- Disclosure is necessary to prevent serious and imminent harm to the patient or others (Correct answer)
- A family member asks for a treatment summary
- The payer requests utilization review documents
Correct answer: Disclosure is necessary to prevent serious and imminent harm to the patient or others
HIPAA permits disclosure without authorization when needed to avert a serious and imminent threat to health or safety, consistent with applicable law.
Question 3: A patient undergoing neuropsychological testing begins experiencing a tonic-clonic seizure in the examination room. After ensuring the environment is safe, what should the examiner do NEXT?
- Restrain the patient's limbs to prevent injury
- Place something in the patient's mouth to protect the airway
- Time the seizure and call emergency services if it lasts more than 5 minutes (Correct answer)
- Continue administering the test after the patient stops shaking
Correct answer: Time the seizure and call emergency services if it lasts more than 5 minutes
Status epilepticus is defined by seizure duration exceeding 5 minutes; emergency services must be called at that threshold while timing the episode.
Question 4: When a neuropsychologist determines that a patient poses an imminent danger to an identifiable third party, the Tarasoff ruling requires the clinician to:
- Maintain confidentiality and document the threat internally
- Warn the intended victim and/or notify law enforcement (Correct answer)
- Refer the patient to another provider immediately
- Seek a second opinion before taking any action
Correct answer: Warn the intended victim and/or notify law enforcement
Tarasoff v. Regents of University of California established the duty to warn identifiable potential victims and/or notify authorities of serious threats.
Question 5: During a telehealth neuropsychological session, a remote patient appears to be experiencing a medical emergency. What is a critical preparatory step clinicians should take BEFORE beginning telehealth services?
- Obtain a list of the patient's previous neuropsychologists
- Collect the patient's local emergency contact information and nearest emergency facility address (Correct answer)
- Verify the patient's insurance plan covers telehealth
- Install backup video software on the patient's device
Correct answer: Collect the patient's local emergency contact information and nearest emergency facility address
Collecting local emergency contact and facility information before telehealth sessions allows the clinician to direct responders to the patient's actual location in an emergency.
Question 6: A child patient reveals ongoing physical abuse by a caregiver during a neuropsychological evaluation. According to mandatory reporting laws, the neuropsychologist must:
- Discuss the report with the caregiver first to get their perspective
- Report the suspected abuse to child protective services promptly (Correct answer)
- Wait for corroborating evidence before filing a report
- Consult with a colleague for 48 hours before deciding
Correct answer: Report the suspected abuse to child protective services promptly
Neuropsychologists are mandated reporters; suspected child abuse must be reported to CPS regardless of certainty level, and without prior notification to the alleged abuser.
Question 7: A patient collapses and is unresponsive at a neuropsychology clinic. No AED is immediately available. What is the correct sequence per current AHA guidelines?
- Check responsiveness, call 911, begin CPR at 30 compressions to 2 breaths (Correct answer)
- Begin rescue breathing immediately, then call 911
- Place the patient in the recovery position and monitor breathing
- Administer epinephrine before starting compressions
Correct answer: Check responsiveness, call 911, begin CPR at 30 compressions to 2 breaths
AHA guidelines specify: check responsiveness, activate emergency response (call 911), and begin high-quality CPR with a 30:2 compression-to-ventilation ratio.
ABCN Emergency Response Procedures 2
A neuropsychologist is conducting an outpatient evaluation when the patient discloses active suicidal ideation with a specific plan and access to means.
What is the FIRST priority action?