Patient Safety & Ethical Practices Flashcards
7 cards from real ABEM practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Patient Safety & Ethical Practices flashcards as text
Which of the following BEST defines 'justice' as an ethical principle in electrodiagnostic medicine?
Answer: Providing equitable access to electrodiagnostic services regardless of a patient's socioeconomic status or insurance
Justice requires fair distribution of healthcare resources and non-discriminatory access to electrodiagnostic services.
A pregnant patient is referred for nerve conduction studies. Which modification is MOST appropriate?
Answer: Avoid stimulation across the abdomen and limit the study to clinically essential tests
While NCS is generally safe in pregnancy, stimulation across the abdomen should be avoided and only clinically necessary tests performed to minimize any theoretical risk.
A patient's legal representative (healthcare proxy) refuses needle EMG that the electrodiagnostician believes is medically necessary. The most appropriate action is to:
Answer: Respect the proxy's decision, document the refusal, and communicate diagnostic limitations to the referring physician
A legally designated healthcare proxy has the authority to refuse procedures; the clinician must document the refusal and its effect on diagnostic completeness.
Which of the following represents appropriate use of electrodiagnostic equipment to ensure patient safety?
Answer: Regular biomedical equipment inspection and calibration according to manufacturer specifications
Regular inspection and calibration ensure equipment functions safely and produces accurate results, protecting both patients and diagnostic integrity.
An electrodiagnostic report contains an error that was sent to the referring physician. The ethical obligation is to:
Answer: Issue a corrected report promptly and notify the referring physician of the amendment
Accurate medical documentation requires issuing a formal corrected report and notifying the recipient so clinical decisions are based on accurate information.
Which of the following is the MOST appropriate way to handle a patient who is unable to give informed consent due to an acute altered mental status but requires urgent electrodiagnostic evaluation?
Answer: Proceed under the emergency exception to informed consent after attempting to reach a surrogate decision-maker
Emergency exceptions allow proceeding without consent when delay would harm the patient and a surrogate cannot be promptly reached, provided the situation is documented.
A pharmaceutical company offers an electrodiagnostician a paid speaking engagement in exchange for recommending their EMG equipment brand in reports. The most ethical response is to:
Answer: Decline the arrangement as it creates a financial conflict of interest affecting clinical recommendations
Equipment recommendations in clinical reports must be free from financial bias; accepting payment tied to brand endorsement compromises professional integrity.