ENT Communication and Documentation 2

Question 1

During handoff of a post-thyroidectomy patient to the night team, which structured communication tool is most widely recommended to organize the report?

Accepted Answer

SBAR

Answer

SBAR (Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation) is the standard structured format for clinician-to-clinician handoffs.

Question 2

A surgeon receives a verbal order by phone for a patient's postoperative analgesia. What is the safest practice for the nurse taking the order?

Accepted Answer

Write it down, then read it back to the prescriber for confirmation

Answer

Write-down and read-back of the complete order is a Joint Commission safety requirement for verbal and telephone orders.

Question 3

Which abbreviation is on The Joint Commission's official 'Do Not Use' list?

Accepted Answer

U (for unit)

Answer

'U' can be mistaken for 0 or 4, so 'unit' must be written out.

Question 4

A Spanish-speaking parent needs consent discussed for their child's tonsillectomy. Which approach is most appropriate?

Accepted Answer

Use a qualified medical interpreter and document the interpreter's ID

Answer

Federal guidance requires qualified interpreters for limited-English-proficiency patients, and the interpreter should be documented.

Question 5

When documenting facial nerve function after parotidectomy, which standardized scale is most commonly used?

Accepted Answer

House-Brackmann scale

Answer

The House-Brackmann scale grades facial nerve function from I (normal) to VI (complete paralysis).

ENT - Ear, Nose, and Throat Specialist Certification Practice Test

ENT - Ear, Nose, and Throat Specialist Certification Practice Test

ENT Communication and Documentation 2