Professional Standards & Ethics Flashcards

A patient asks the RPSGT to explain their preliminary sleep study findings before the physician reviews them. The technologist should:

Answer: Explain what was recorded technically without rendering a medical diagnosis

Technologists may explain what was recorded (e.g., electrode placement, events captured) but must leave diagnostic interpretation to the supervising physician.

Which ethical principle is violated when a technologist performs a procedure without explaining it to the patient first?

Answer: Autonomy

Autonomy requires that patients be informed and have the opportunity to consent before procedures are performed on them.

An RPSGT discovers that the lab's calibration records have been altered. The appropriate first step is:

Answer: Report the discrepancy to the lab director or compliance officer

Falsified records are a serious compliance and patient safety issue that must be reported immediately to the appropriate authority.

Which of the following scenarios represents a HIPAA breach?

Answer: Emailing unencrypted patient records to an unauthorized third party

Sending unencrypted PHI to an unauthorized recipient is a HIPAA breach regardless of intent.

An RPSGT is asked by their supervisor to perform a procedure they have never been trained on. The correct response is:

Answer: Decline and explain that the procedure is outside their current competency

Performing procedures outside one's training is unsafe and unethical; technologists must decline and seek proper training before performing unfamiliar tasks.

Maintaining professional boundaries with patients primarily means:

Answer: Keeping the therapeutic relationship appropriate and not exploiting the patient's vulnerability

Professional boundaries protect the patient from exploitation and ensure the therapeutic relationship remains focused on their care and well-being.

Which document guides the ethical conduct expected of all BRPT credential holders?

Answer: The BRPT Standards of Conduct

The BRPT Standards of Conduct outlines the ethical obligations specifically required of RPSGT credential holders.