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 scheduled for pelvic radiation asks the dosimetrist about expected skin reactions. What is the most appropriate response?
Answer: Provide general information and refer specific concerns to the radiation oncologist
Dosimetrists can provide general educational information while directing medical questions to the treating physician.
During simulation, a patient with claustrophobia becomes distressed in the CT bore. Which action should the dosimetrist take first?
Answer: Stop the scan, communicate calmly with the patient, and notify the radiation therapist or physician
Patient safety and comfort require halting the procedure and involving the appropriate clinical team when distress occurs.
A patient's family member calls and asks for details about the radiation treatment plan. How should the dosimetrist respond?
Answer: Decline to share information without the patient's documented authorization per HIPAA
HIPAA requires patient authorization before disclosing protected health information to third parties, including family members.
Which approach best supports a non-English-speaking patient during treatment planning consultations?
Answer: Use a qualified medical interpreter service rather than relying on a family member to translate
Qualified medical interpreters ensure accurate communication of clinical information and protect patient rights under Title VI.
A patient reports severe fatigue and loss of appetite mid-course. The dosimetrist should:
Answer: Document the complaint and alert the radiation oncologist and nursing team
Symptomatic changes must be communicated to the clinical team promptly; plan modifications require physician authorization.
When obtaining patient positioning data at simulation, the dosimetrist notices the patient's immobilization device causes visible discomfort. The best course of action is to:
Answer: Notify the therapist and radiation oncologist so the device can be assessed and possibly modified
Patient comfort and reproducibility must both be addressed; device modifications require clinical team involvement.
A patient undergoing head-and-neck radiation asks whether they can eat before daily treatments. Who should provide this guidance?
Answer: The radiation oncologist or a nurse, as dietary instructions are within their clinical scope
Dietary and clinical management instructions fall within the physician's and nursing team's scope of practice.