CRE Professional Standards & Ethics 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A respiratory educator discovers a colleague is providing incorrect inhaler technique instructions to patients. What is the most appropriate initial action?
- Report the colleague directly to the state licensing board
- Address the concern with the colleague privately and professionally (Correct answer)
- Document the incidents and wait to see if it happens again
- Ignore the situation to avoid workplace conflict
Correct answer: Address the concern with the colleague privately and professionally
The CRE should first address the concern directly with the colleague, as this respects professional relationships and allows for immediate correction.
Question 2: Which principle of biomedical ethics requires a respiratory educator to act in the patient's best interest?
- Autonomy
- Justice
- Beneficence (Correct answer)
- Nonmaleficence
Correct answer: Beneficence
Beneficence is the ethical principle that obligates healthcare providers to act in ways that promote the patient's well-being.
Question 3: A patient refuses to use a prescribed nebulizer despite clear medical necessity. Under the principle of autonomy, the CRE should:
- Administer the treatment anyway since it is medically necessary
- Document the refusal and ensure the patient understands the risks (Correct answer)
- Contact the patient's family to override the decision
- Discontinue all respiratory education for this patient
Correct answer: Document the refusal and ensure the patient understands the risks
Respecting autonomy means honoring competent patients' right to refuse treatment after being fully informed of the consequences.
Question 4: What does the term 'scope of practice' mean for a Certified Respiratory Educator?
- The geographic region where the CRE is licensed to practice
- The range of services and activities a CRE is qualified and authorized to perform (Correct answer)
- The number of patients a CRE can educate per day
- The types of respiratory equipment a CRE can purchase
Correct answer: The range of services and activities a CRE is qualified and authorized to perform
Scope of practice defines the procedures, actions, and processes a CRE is permitted to perform based on education, experience, and licensure.
Question 5: A CRE is asked by a pharmaceutical representative to recommend a specific inhaler brand to all patients in exchange for conference travel funding. This situation represents:
- A legitimate continuing education opportunity
- A conflict of interest that should be disclosed or avoided (Correct answer)
- Standard industry practice that is ethically acceptable
- An opportunity to improve patient access to medications
Correct answer: A conflict of interest that should be disclosed or avoided
Accepting personal benefits from pharmaceutical companies in exchange for product recommendations creates a conflict of interest that compromises professional integrity.
Question 6: Which ethical principle is MOST directly violated when a respiratory educator shares a patient's diagnosis with the patient's employer without consent?
- Beneficence
- Justice
- Nonmaleficence
- Autonomy (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Autonomy
Sharing confidential health information without consent violates the patient's autonomy and right to control their own health information.
Question 7: A respiratory educator is uncertain whether a clinical task falls within their competency. The best course of action is to:
- Attempt the task and ask for help only if problems arise
- Refuse all clinical tasks until completing additional training
- Consult with a supervisor or more experienced colleague before proceeding (Correct answer)
- Delegate the task to a less qualified staff member
Correct answer: Consult with a supervisor or more experienced colleague before proceeding
When uncertain about competency, consulting with experienced colleagues or supervisors is the professionally responsible action to ensure patient safety.
CRE Professional Standards & Ethics 2
A respiratory educator discovers a colleague is providing incorrect inhaler technique instructions to patients.
What is the most appropriate initial action?