HUC Scheduling & Ancillary Department Coordination 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A physician writes an order for a fasting blood glucose to be drawn at 6 AM. Which department does the HUC contact to schedule this?
- Radiology
- Laboratory/Phlebotomy (Correct answer)
- Respiratory Therapy
- Physical Therapy
Correct answer: Laboratory/Phlebotomy
Fasting blood glucose is a blood test scheduled with the laboratory or phlebotomy department, which handles specimen collection and analysis.
Question 2: When scheduling a patient for an MRI, which information is MOST critical for the HUC to communicate to the radiology department?
- The patient's insurance provider
- The patient's dietary preferences
- Whether the patient has metal implants or a pacemaker (Correct answer)
- The patient's room number
Correct answer: Whether the patient has metal implants or a pacemaker
Metal implants and pacemakers are contraindications for MRI due to the strong magnetic field, making this safety information critical before scheduling.
Question 3: A patient is scheduled for a colonoscopy at 10 AM and the physician writes an order for a clear liquid diet. Which department should the HUC notify FIRST?
- Laboratory
- Dietary/Nutrition Services (Correct answer)
- Endoscopy Suite
- Pharmacy
Correct answer: Dietary/Nutrition Services
The dietary department must be notified immediately to modify the patient's meal service to clear liquids in preparation for the procedure.
Question 4: What does the abbreviation 'STAT' mean when written on a physician's order?
- Schedule Tomorrow At Two
- Immediately/at once (Correct answer)
- Standard Treatment and Therapy
- Send To Another Team
Correct answer: Immediately/at once
STAT is derived from the Latin 'statim,' meaning immediately, indicating the order must be carried out without delay.
Question 5: A physician orders an ECG (electrocardiogram) for a patient. Which department does the HUC contact to have this performed?
- Radiology
- Laboratory
- Cardiology/Cardiac Diagnostics (Correct answer)
- Respiratory Therapy
Correct answer: Cardiology/Cardiac Diagnostics
ECGs are performed by the cardiology or cardiac diagnostics department, which specializes in heart monitoring procedures.
Question 6: When a physician writes 'PT/OT eval and treat,' the HUC must schedule consultations with which two departments?
- Pharmacy and Oncology
- Pulmonology and Orthopedics
- Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy (Correct answer)
- Pediatrics and Obstetrics
Correct answer: Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy
PT stands for Physical Therapy and OT stands for Occupational Therapy; both departments must be contacted for evaluation and treatment.
Question 7: A patient is scheduled for surgery at 1 PM and has an ordered pre-op chest X-ray. What is the HUC's BEST action regarding this order?
- Wait until morning of surgery to schedule
- Schedule the chest X-ray immediately so results are available before surgery (Correct answer)
- Ask the patient if they want the X-ray done
- Schedule the X-ray for the following day
Correct answer: Schedule the chest X-ray immediately so results are available before surgery
Pre-operative tests must be completed with sufficient lead time so results can be reviewed by the surgical team before the procedure begins.
HUC Scheduling & Ancillary Department Coordination 1
A physician writes an order for a fasting blood glucose to be drawn at 6 AM.
Which department does the HUC contact to schedule this?