UTC Professional Ethics & Communication 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A patient asks the sonographer to tell them the sex of the fetus during a routine obstetric scan, but the ordering physician has not authorized disclosure. What is the most appropriate action?
- Tell the patient the sex since it is their information to know
- Inform the patient that sex disclosure follows department policy and refer the question to the physician (Correct answer)
- Refuse to answer without explanation
- Document the patient's request and ignore it
Correct answer: Inform the patient that sex disclosure follows department policy and refer the question to the physician
Sonographers should defer disclosure of sensitive findings to the ordering physician in accordance with departmental policy and scope of practice.
Question 2: Which ethical principle obligates an ultrasound technologist to act in the patient's best interest above personal or institutional gain?
- Autonomy
- Justice
- Beneficence (Correct answer)
- Nonmaleficence
Correct answer: Beneficence
Beneficence requires healthcare professionals to promote the well-being and best interest of the patient.
Question 3: During a sonographic examination, the technologist notices an incidental finding not related to the clinical indication. The appropriate next step is to:
- Disregard it since it is outside the ordered exam
- Document and image the finding and alert the supervising physician (Correct answer)
- Inform the patient immediately of the possible abnormality
- Repeat the scan the following day to confirm
Correct answer: Document and image the finding and alert the supervising physician
Incidental findings must be documented and reported to the supervising physician regardless of whether they fall within the ordered exam's scope.
Question 4: A colleague asks you to sign off on a study you did not perform because they forgot to clock in. This situation represents a potential violation of:
- Scope of practice guidelines
- Professional integrity and documentation standards (Correct answer)
- Patient confidentiality regulations
- Continuing education requirements
Correct answer: Professional integrity and documentation standards
Falsifying records by signing off on studies you did not perform violates professional integrity and may constitute fraud.
Question 5: When communicating with a hearing-impaired patient, the sonographer should first:
- Speak very loudly and slowly
- Ask the patient their preferred communication method (Correct answer)
- Hand the patient a written script of the entire procedure
- Proceed normally since the scan is non-verbal
Correct answer: Ask the patient their preferred communication method
Asking the patient their preferred communication method respects autonomy and ensures effective, patient-centered care.
Question 6: A radiologist requests that a sonographer alter image measurements in the report to better match the clinical suspicion. The sonographer should:
- Comply because the radiologist has final authority
- Alter the images only if asked in writing
- Refuse and report the request through appropriate channels (Correct answer)
- Re-scan the patient until the measurements agree
Correct answer: Refuse and report the request through appropriate channels
Altering measurements to fit a clinical suspicion constitutes data falsification; the sonographer must refuse and escalate appropriately.
Question 7: Which document most directly outlines the professional standards of conduct expected of registered diagnostic medical sonographers in the United States?
- HIPAA Privacy Rule
- ARDMS Code of Ethics (Correct answer)
- ACR Practice Parameter
- Joint Commission Standards
Correct answer: ARDMS Code of Ethics
The ARDMS Code of Ethics specifically outlines the ethical obligations and professional conduct standards for registered sonographers.
UTC Professional Ethics & Communication 2
A patient asks the sonographer to tell them the sex of the fetus during a routine obstetric scan, but the ordering physician has not authorized disclosure.
What is the most appropriate action?