chapter 40: Legal Issues, Quality Assurance, and Infection Prevention

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

Both the dentist and assistant

According to the test for x-ray film freshness, if the processed film appears _____, the film is fresh and has been properly stored and handled.

Clean with a slight clue tint

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.

Transporting PSP films should be done by placing them in:

a black transfer box.

Sterilized positioning instruments should be removed from the packages

after the patient is seated

Dental images are the property of the

dentist

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

dentist

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

dentist

The process of informing the patient about the nature and purpose of dental imaging is termed:

disclosure

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

handled only with gloved hands

The most critical component in film processing quality control is:

maintaining the freshness of the processing solutions.

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.

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 - Explain to the patient the importance of dental imaging.

Which of the following must be disclosed to the patient before obtaining informed consent?

- Risks and benefits of the images - Person who will be exposing - Consequences of not having images

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

- administration procedures - control tests

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

- number - type - quality

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

- persons who use x-rays to take dental images to be properly trained. - persons who use x-rays to take dental images to be certified.

Developer strength can be checked by using a:

- reference image. - step wedge image

The safelight in the darkroom can be tested by:

using the coin test

The daily radiograph is lighter than the reference radiograph. This indicates the developer is too:

weak