Patient Care & Communication Flashcards
7 cards from real CMD 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 Care & Communication flashcards as text
A patient with limited health literacy receives their treatment schedule. Which action best ensures comprehension?
Answer: Use teach-back: ask the patient to explain the schedule back in their own words
The teach-back method is the evidence-based gold standard for confirming patient comprehension, especially with limited health literacy.
During a simulation session, a patient discloses they have been experiencing suicidal thoughts. The dosimetrist's first action should be to:
Answer: Remain with the patient, take the disclosure seriously, and immediately notify the supervising physician or social worker
Suicidal disclosures require immediate clinical escalation; the patient must never be left alone and a qualified provider must be notified at once.
Which of the following is an example of a dosimetrist acting outside their professional scope of practice?
Answer: Independently modifying a physician's prescribed dose based on their own clinical judgment
Modifying a physician-prescribed dose without authorization is outside the dosimetrist's scope and constitutes an unsafe practice.
A patient asks why their treatment is delivered in multiple fractions rather than one large dose. The best response is:
Answer: Fractionation allows normal tissues time to repair between treatments while maintaining tumor control
The radiobiological rationale for fractionation centers on the differential repair capacity of normal versus malignant cells.
A dosimetrist receives a call from a referring oncologist requesting details about a shared patient's radiation plan. The correct response is to:
Answer: Verify the caller's identity and confirm a treatment-relationship authorization exists before sharing any information
Identity verification and treatment-relationship confirmation are required before sharing PHI, even with other licensed providers.
Which of the following best describes the dosimetrist's role in a multidisciplinary tumor board?
Answer: Present dosimetric feasibility data, dose-volume constraints, and potential treatment planning approaches for discussion
Dosimetrists contribute technical expertise on treatment feasibility and planning options, supporting but not replacing physician decision-making.
A patient being treated for prostate cancer asks if their treatment will affect their sexual function. The dosimetrist should:
Answer: Acknowledge this is an important concern and direct the patient to discuss it with the radiation oncologist
Sexual side effects are a medical counseling topic that requires physician discussion, not independent dosimetrist assessment.