Legal Issues, Quality Assurance, and Infection Prevention

Which is the first step in developing an administrative quality control plan?

Develop and maintain a written description of the quality assurance plan.

Sterilized positioning instruments should be removed from the packages:

after the patient is seated.

What is a false statement regarding the preparation of the radiography operatory for dental imaging:

barriers do not need to be used because spatter of blood and saliva is unlikely.

For a film to be properly processed, it should be left in a fixer solution, at full strength, for:

2 minutes.

Developer strength can be checked by using:

a thermometer.

PSPs:

are a major source of cross-contamination.

According to the test for x-ray film freshness, the film is fresh and has been properly stored and handled when the processed film appears clean with a slight ______ tint.

blue

Quality control for the darkroom should include checking for light leaks every:

6 months.

Who can be held legally responsible for a dental assistant's actions?

Both the dentist and assistant

Who is responsible for overall quality assurance in a dental practice?

Dentist

What should the dental assistant do if a patient refuses dental imaging?

Document in the patient's record the fact that he or she refused recommended dental imaging

Which of the following statements is true regarding federal and state regulations on the use of dental x-ray equipment?

Most states have laws that require inspections of dental x-ray equipment on a regular basis.

Dental patient records must contain documentation of the ______ of dental images taken.

Number and type

one thing that does not need to be disclosed to the patient before obtaining informed consent for dental radiographs except one.

Rights of the patient as owner of the images

Once films are removed from the mouth, they are considered contaminated and should be:

handled only with gloved hands.

The simplest method for ensuring the freshness of each box of dental x-ray film is to:

process one film from each box with fresh chemicals.

What is a false statement regarding the transfer of dental images except:

the originals are sent.

A good protocol to follow for decreasing the contamination of dental imaging equipment if additional supplies are needed during a procedure is to:

use overgloves.

The safelight in the darkroom can be tested by:

using the coin test.

Regulations regarding certification for dental assistants in radiography:

vary from state to state.

When a daily radiograph is lighter than the reference radiograph, it indicates the developer is too:

weak.

Following removal of an exposed film or PSP from a patient's mouth, the film/PSP should be:

wiped free of saliva using a dry 2 ´ 2-inch gauze sponge or paper towel.

Transporting PSP films should be done by placing them in:

a black transfer box.

It is the responsibility of the ____ to discuss the need for dental imaging.

dentist

Dental images are the property of the:

dentist.

Given normal use, processing solutions should be changed:

every 3 to 4 weeks.

The most critical component in film processing quality control is:

maintaining the freshness of the processing solutions.

A record-keeping log for processing solution does not need to include the:

name of the solution used to clean the tanks.

Failure to obtain informed consent from a patient prior to exposure of dental radiographs can lead to charges of:

negligence.

Following the completion of the film-screen contact test, areas of good film-screen contact will be:

of uniform density.

The Consumer-Patient Radiation Health and Safety Act is a federal law that requires all:

persons who expose dental x-rays to wear radiation safety badges.

Calibration of dental x-ray equipment should be performed by a:

qualified technician.

what is a false statements regarding the care of intensifying screens and cassettes:

screens should be cleaned with a commercial cleaner after each use.

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Guidelines for Infection Control in Dental Healthcare Settings—2003, digital radiography sensors:

should use FDA-cleared barriers.

Quality assurance in the dental office is a way of ensuring that everything possible is being done to produce high-quality diagnostic images and includes quality control:

tests and administration procedures.