COT Medical Ethics, Legal and Regulatory Issues 4

Question 1

An ophthalmologist asks a COT to independently diagnose a patient's condition and prescribe treatment while the physician steps out. Which of the following is the most appropriate response?

Accepted Answer

Decline, as diagnosis and prescribing are outside the COT's legal scope of practice

Answer

Diagnosis and prescribing are outside the legal scope of practice for a COT. Even when delegated by a physician, a COT cannot perform tasks that require a medical license. Performing such tasks exposes both the technician and the practice to legal liability.

Question 2

Under OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogen Standard, which of the following is the ophthalmic practice's PRIMARY obligation following a needlestick injury to a COT?

Accepted Answer

Immediately document the exposure and provide the employee with a confidential medical evaluation at no cost

Answer

OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogen Standard requires employers to immediately document the exposure incident and provide the affected employee with a confidential medical evaluation and follow-up at no cost to the employee. This includes testing, counseling, and post-exposure prophylaxis if indicated.

Question 3

A pharmaceutical representative offers a COT free sports tickets in exchange for recommending their eye drops to patients. Accepting this gift would most likely violate:

Accepted Answer

The federal Anti-Kickback Statute

Answer

The federal Anti-Kickback Statute prohibits offering, paying, soliciting, or receiving anything of value to induce or reward referrals or recommendations of items or services covered by federal healthcare programs. Accepting gifts in exchange for recommending specific products violates this law.

Question 4

A patient with glaucoma is being seen regularly at your clinic. Due to a scheduling dispute, the ophthalmologist informs the patient they are dismissed from the practice effective immediately, with no referral or transition plan provided. This situation best describes:

Accepted Answer

Patient abandonment

Answer

Patient abandonment occurs when a provider unilaterally terminates the physician-patient relationship without giving the patient adequate notice, time to find alternative care, or a referral — particularly when the patient still has an ongoing medical need. This is an ethical and legal violation.

Question 5

A COT is reviewing a patient's chart and notices the ophthalmologist documented a procedure that the COT knows was never performed. What is the most appropriate course of action?

Accepted Answer

Report the discrepancy through the practice's internal compliance or reporting mechanism

Answer

Falsifying medical records is fraud. The appropriate action for a COT who identifies a documentation discrepancy is to report it through the practice's internal compliance channel or to a supervisor — not to alter records themselves or ignore the issue. Altering another provider's documentation without authorization is also a violation.

COT - Certified Ophthalmic Technician Practice Test

COT - Certified Ophthalmic Technician Practice Test

COT Medical Ethics, Legal and Regulatory Issues 4