Safety, Clean Needle Technique & Ethics Flashcards
7 cards from real AP practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Safety, Clean Needle Technique & Ethics flashcards as text
When a patient discloses they are HIV-positive, the acupuncturist's primary obligation is to:
Answer: Maintain confidentiality and use standard precautions
Standard (universal) precautions are applied to ALL patients regardless of known infection status, and patient HIV status is strictly confidential.
Which of the following best describes the 'one-handed scoop' technique in acupuncture practice?
Answer: A method to recap needles safely using only one hand
The one-handed scoop technique allows practitioners to recap a needle using only one hand, minimizing the risk of needlestick injury.
A patient requests that their acupuncturist share treatment details with their chiropractor. The acupuncturist should:
Answer: Obtain a signed written authorization from the patient first
A signed written authorization from the patient is required before disclosing protected health information (PHI) to another provider outside a direct treatment relationship.
The BEST location for a sharps disposal container in a treatment room is:
Answer: Mounted at point-of-use, within arm's reach of the practitioner
Sharps containers should be placed at the point of use so needles can be immediately and safely disposed of without recapping or carrying.
An acupuncturist discovers that a colleague is practicing while impaired by alcohol. The most appropriate first action is to:
Answer: Report the concern to the state licensing board
Practitioners have an ethical and often legal obligation to report impaired colleagues to the relevant licensing authority to protect public safety.
Which statement about moxa (moxibustion) safety is CORRECT?
Answer: Patients with impaired sensation are at higher risk of moxa burns and require closer monitoring
Patients with diabetic neuropathy, spinal cord injury, or other sensory deficits cannot reliably report heat intensity, increasing burn risk during moxibustion.
Under the NCCAOM Code of Ethics, a practitioner who recognizes their own personal bias toward a patient should:
Answer: Refer the patient to another qualified practitioner if bias impairs objectivity
When personal bias compromises the practitioner's ability to provide competent, objective care, referral to another provider is the ethical obligation.