Professional Ethics & Communication Flashcards
7 cards from real MLS practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Professional Ethics & Communication flashcards as text
Which professional organization publishes a Code of Ethics specifically for clinical laboratory scientists in the United States?
Answer: American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science (ASCLS)
The ASCLS Code of Ethics outlines the professional and ethical responsibilities expected of clinical laboratory scientists.
An MLS notices a coworker consistently skipping the required specimen identification step before testing. The most ethical response is to:
Answer: Report the behavior to the supervisor to protect patient safety
Patient safety supersedes workplace social comfort; unsafe practices must be reported through proper supervisory channels.
The ethical principle of 'nonmaleficence' in laboratory practice means the MLS must:
Answer: Avoid actions that cause unnecessary harm to patients
Nonmaleficence means 'do no harm' — the MLS must avoid practices that could injure or negatively impact patients.
When documenting a critical value call, which piece of information is LEAST relevant to record?
Answer: Patient's insurance carrier
Critical value documentation focuses on communication details (who, when, confirmation) — insurance information is not relevant to this safety process.
A patient requests copies of their own laboratory results. Under HIPAA, the laboratory must:
Answer: Provide access within 30 days under the HIPAA Right of Access rule
HIPAA's Right of Access provision requires covered entities to provide patients access to their PHI within 30 days of a request.
Which behavior best demonstrates professional integrity in the laboratory setting?
Answer: Accurately documenting all QC failures and corrective actions taken
Professional integrity requires honest and complete documentation, including all QC failures and the steps taken to resolve them.
An MLS in a small community is asked to test a specimen from a prominent local figure. The MLS should:
Answer: Apply the same rigorous standards used for every other patient's specimen
All patients must receive equal quality laboratory services regardless of their social standing or prominence.