CTC Treatment Protocols & Procedures 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A telehealth protocol for diabetes management should routinely include which remote monitoring parameter?
- Daily weight via connected scale only
- Blood glucose readings transmitted from a glucometer or CGM device (Correct answer)
- Monthly lipid panel ordered by mail-in lab kit only
- Weekly telehealth visits with ophthalmology only
Correct answer: Blood glucose readings transmitted from a glucometer or CGM device
Blood glucose monitoring is the cornerstone metric for diabetes RPM protocols, providing actionable data for medication and lifestyle adjustments.
Question 2: When conducting a telehealth visit for a patient who requires an interpreter, the coordinator should:
- Ask the patient's family member to interpret to save time
- Use a certified medical interpreter service integrated into or connected to the telehealth platform (Correct answer)
- Document 'language barrier' and proceed without interpretation
- Reschedule until the patient can bring a bilingual friend
Correct answer: Use a certified medical interpreter service integrated into or connected to the telehealth platform
Federal law requires qualified medical interpreters for LEP patients; using family members violates Title VI and creates liability and accuracy risks.
Question 3: Which protocol element distinguishes a synchronous telehealth visit from a telephone-only (audio-only) encounter?
- A signed consent form
- Real-time two-way audio AND video communication (Correct answer)
- Use of a HIPAA-compliant platform
- Prior authorization from the payer
Correct answer: Real-time two-way audio AND video communication
Synchronous telehealth requires simultaneous audio and video between patient and provider; audio-only lacks the video component.
Question 4: A telehealth coordinator is setting up RPM for a heart failure patient. Which parameter is MOST critical to monitor daily?
- Body temperature
- Daily weight to detect fluid retention (Correct answer)
- Fasting blood glucose
- Peak flow meter readings
Correct answer: Daily weight to detect fluid retention
Daily weight gain of ≥2 lbs in 24 hours or ≥5 lbs in a week is a key clinical indicator of fluid retention and worsening heart failure.
Question 5: In telehealth protocol design, an 'escalation pathway' refers to:
- The process for upgrading a patient's insurance plan
- A predefined sequence of clinical responses triggered by abnormal patient data or urgent symptoms (Correct answer)
- The method for transferring billing codes to a higher-cost code
- The protocol for moving a patient to a higher-traffic server
Correct answer: A predefined sequence of clinical responses triggered by abnormal patient data or urgent symptoms
Escalation pathways define step-by-step responses—from nurse callback to 911 dispatch—based on severity of clinical findings.
Question 6: Before initiating a telehealth prescription for a controlled substance, the coordinator must verify that:
- The patient has a preferred pharmacy within 10 miles
- The prescribing provider holds a DEA registration in the patient's state and meets Ryan Haight Act or applicable waiver requirements (Correct answer)
- The patient completed an online questionnaire only
- The payer pre-authorizes all prescriptions
Correct answer: The prescribing provider holds a DEA registration in the patient's state and meets Ryan Haight Act or applicable waiver requirements
The Ryan Haight Act generally requires an in-person evaluation before prescribing controlled substances via telemedicine, with specific DEA registration and waiver requirements.
Question 7: A telehealth coordinator is onboarding a patient for a wound care monitoring program. Which instruction is MOST important for image quality?
- Use a front-facing camera only with the flash off
- Photograph the wound in good lighting, include a ruler for scale, and capture multiple angles (Correct answer)
- Send a single photo via personal email for speed
- Use a standardized filter to enhance wound contrast
Correct answer: Photograph the wound in good lighting, include a ruler for scale, and capture multiple angles
Quality wound images require adequate lighting, a scale reference, and multiple angles to allow the clinician to accurately assess wound dimensions and healing.
CTC Treatment Protocols & Procedures 3
A telehealth protocol for diabetes management should routinely include which remote monitoring parameter?