CCA Patient Care & Ethical Practice 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A patient who lost an ear in a car accident expresses frustration that their prosthesis does not look exactly like their pre-accident ear. What is the most ethical first response?
- Explain that perfect symmetry is medically impossible
- Acknowledge the patient's feelings and review their goals collaboratively (Correct answer)
- Refer the patient to a psychologist immediately
- Offer a full refund and dismissal from care
Correct answer: Acknowledge the patient's feelings and review their goals collaboratively
Acknowledging feelings and reviewing goals collaboratively respects patient autonomy and supports a therapeutic relationship.
Question 2: Which document formally outlines the scope, risks, and benefits of anaplastology treatment and must be signed before fabrication begins?
- HIPAA authorization
- Informed consent form (Correct answer)
- Insurance pre-authorization
- Referral letter
Correct answer: Informed consent form
Informed consent documents that the patient understands the procedure's scope, risks, benefits, and alternatives before treatment.
Question 3: A certified anaplastologist discovers a colleague has been using non-biocompatible silicone in prostheses to reduce costs. What is the appropriate ethical action?
- Ignore it as it is a collegial matter
- Report the concern to the relevant professional board (Correct answer)
- Inform the patients directly without notifying the board
- Confront the colleague publicly
Correct answer: Report the concern to the relevant professional board
Reporting to the professional board is the correct action to protect patient safety while following ethical reporting channels.
Question 4: When a pediatric patient requires an orbital prosthesis, who must provide informed consent for treatment?
- The patient alone if over age 10
- A licensed nurse on behalf of the facility
- A parent or legal guardian (Correct answer)
- The referring physician only
Correct answer: A parent or legal guardian
Minors cannot provide legal informed consent; a parent or legal guardian must authorize treatment.
Question 5: During a follow-up visit, a patient discloses they are experiencing depression related to their facial difference. What is the anaplastologist's primary obligation?
- Proceed with the prosthesis adjustment only
- Refer the patient to an appropriate mental health professional (Correct answer)
- Prescribe antidepressant medication
- Document the disclosure and take no further action
Correct answer: Refer the patient to an appropriate mental health professional
Anaplastologists practice within their scope and must refer patients with mental health needs to qualified professionals.
Question 6: Which ethical principle requires an anaplastologist to act in the patient's best interest, even when it may conflict with the patient's own stated preferences?
- Autonomy
- Beneficence (Correct answer)
- Justice
- Fidelity
Correct answer: Beneficence
Beneficence requires acting to benefit the patient, sometimes creating tension with the principle of autonomy.
Question 7: A patient requests that their prosthesis records be shared with a family member without the patient's written authorization. What should the anaplastologist do?
- Share the records as a courtesy
- Decline and explain that written patient authorization is required under HIPAA (Correct answer)
- Share only photographs, not clinical notes
- Ask a supervising physician to make the decision
Correct answer: Decline and explain that written patient authorization is required under HIPAA
HIPAA requires explicit written patient authorization before disclosing protected health information to any third party.
CCA Patient Care & Ethical Practice 2
A patient who lost an ear in a car accident expresses frustration that their prosthesis does not look exactly like their pre-accident ear.
What is the most ethical first response?