Case Closed Volume 3 (Second Edition) CME — test questions

Improper performance

1. Following hospital protocols, such as counting sponges and instruments in the operating room, can help avoid claims related to retained foreign objects.

   1. true
   2. false
    
   
   

2. Which of the following is not true about Texas Medical Board requirements for physician documentation?

   1. Medical records for each patient should include the reason for the encounter, the relevant history, the physical examination findings, and prior diagnostic test results.
   2. The patient's progress, including response to treatment or change in diagnosis, should be included in the documentation.
   3. Medical records must be kept in an electronic format.
   4. Medical record documentation should be legible.
    
   
   

3. Surgeons are advised to complete operative reports soon after the procedure because doing so:

   1. promotes accuracy and completeness of documentation
   2. incomplete or late documentation can lay the foundation to question quality of patient care
   3. the information will be available to other members of the health care team
   4. all of the above
    
   
   

4. When reporting test results to an ordering physician over the telephone, it is also advisable to fax or email a copy of the report directly to the physician.

   1. true
   2. false
    
   
   

5. The following can help promote optimal patient outcomes:

   1. clear communication with patients about what symptoms should be reported
   2. complete, legible, and timely documentation of patient encounters
   3. reviewing the relevant medical history to look for any changes in the patient's condition
   4. all of the above
    
   
   

6. When treating noncompliant patients, physicians are encouraged to:

   1. explore the reasons for the noncompliance
   2. dismiss such patients from their practices
   3. refer these patients to the emergency department
   4. have the nurses convince the patient to comply
    
   
   

Communication errors

7. Care should be taken to ensure that the informed consent discussion with the patient and the informed consent form signed by the patient are in agreement.

   1. true
   2. false
    
   
   

8. Which of the following steps can make a claim alleging failure to obtain informed consent more defensible:

   1. conducting the informed consent discussion in the office before the procedure
   2. using a consent form that outlines the risks, benefits, and alternatives to the procedure
   3. ensuring the consent form was signed by the patient and the signature was witnessed by another staff member
   4. all of the above
    
   
   

9. To avoid communication errors with other physicians, you can:

   1. minimize interaction with other physicians — the less you say the better
   2. include a question on the patient history questionnaire requesting the names of other physicians treating the patient for the same illness or injury
   3. have office staff place reports from other physicians directly in the patient's record — you don't need to see every report
   4. assume your patients are not seeing other physicians
    
   
   

Failure to follow up

10. Completing the medical record notes for each patient — including instructions given to patients — in an accurate and timely manner protects physicians when the record is reviewed pursuant to a claim.

    1. true
    2. false
     
    
    

Diagnostic errors

11. In establishing practice guidelines for mid-level practitioners, physicians are advised to:

    1. include when a physician should be called in to consult or assist in diagnosis and treatment
    2. let mid-level practitioners establish their own guidelines
    3. periodically review and update the practice guidelines
    4. a and c
     
    
    

12. Under the concept of vicarious liability, physicians may be held legally responsible for the negligent acts of their employees.

    1. true
    2. false
     
    
    

13. Repeat telephone calls from patients with ongoing complaints provide physicians opportunities to re-assess the patient and identify an issue that may have been previously overlooked.

    1. true
    2. false
     
    
    

14. Common allegations in claims involving diagnostic errors include:

    1. failure to timely evaluate the patient
    2. failure to ask questions of or review information provided by other caregivers
    3. failure to refer the patient to the appropriate specialist
    4. all of the above
     
    
    

15. Late entries or addendum are allowed in the medical record only with proper identification and the reason for the delayed entry.

    1. true
    2. false
     
    
    

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Date: 02-09-2012

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