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
Which antiseptic is MOST appropriate for preparing the skin before needle insertion according to clean needle technique (CNT)?
Answer: Isopropyl alcohol 70%
Isopropyl alcohol 70% is the standard antiseptic used for skin prep in CNT because it is effective, fast-drying, and well-tolerated.
A patient in an acupuncture session becomes syncopal (faints). The FIRST action the practitioner should take is:
Answer: Remove all inserted needles and position the patient safely
Removing needles prevents injury during syncope and positioning the patient (e.g., supine with legs elevated) addresses the immediate safety need before further assessment.
Which of the following patients presents the HIGHEST risk for pneumothorax during acupuncture?
Answer: A cachectic elderly patient receiving needling near GB-21
Cachectic (very thin) patients have minimal subcutaneous tissue over the chest and shoulder, making deep needling near GB-21 or the lung apex extremely high risk for pneumothorax.
Under HIPAA, which of the following does NOT require patient authorization for disclosure?
Answer: Disclosing records in response to a valid court subpoena
A valid court order or subpoena compels disclosure without patient authorization; sharing with employers, marketing companies, or attorneys generally requires authorization.
How long must acupuncture patient records be retained under most U.S. state regulations for adult patients?
Answer: 3–7 years after the last visit (varies by state)
Most states require retention of adult patient records for a minimum of 3–7 years after the last treatment date, though exact requirements vary by jurisdiction.
The term 'dual relationship' in acupuncture ethics refers to:
Answer: A situation where the practitioner holds both a professional and personal role with a patient
A dual relationship exists when the practitioner has both a therapeutic and another significant relationship (familial, romantic, financial) with the patient, creating potential conflicts of interest.
Which of the following is a contraindication for using an electrostimulation unit (e-stim) with acupuncture needles?
Answer: Patient has an implanted cardiac pacemaker
Electrical current from e-stim can interfere with pacemaker function and is an absolute contraindication in patients with implanted cardiac devices.