Safety, Clean Needle Technique & Ethics Flashcards
7 cards from real AP practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Safety, Clean Needle Technique & Ethics flashcards as text
Which of the following surfaces in an acupuncture clinic is classified as a 'clinical contact surface' requiring disinfection between patients?
Answer: The treatment table and face cradle
Treatment tables and face cradles are clinical contact surfaces that directly contact patients and must be disinfected between each patient with an EPA-registered disinfectant.
A practitioner witnesses a colleague inappropriately touching a patient during treatment. Under ethical obligations, the practitioner should FIRST:
Answer: Ensure the patient's immediate safety and then report to the licensing board
Patient safety is the primary concern; the practitioner must ensure the affected patient is safe and then report the misconduct to the appropriate licensing authority.
Which of the following conditions is an absolute contraindication to acupuncture needling at local points?
Answer: Active cellulitis or local skin infection at the intended site
Active local infection (cellulitis) at a prospective needling site is an absolute contraindication, as needling can spread the infection deeper or into the bloodstream.
What is the primary ethical principle violated when an acupuncturist exaggerates a patient's diagnosis to increase the number of recommended sessions?
Answer: Non-maleficence
Non-maleficence ('do no harm') is violated when a practitioner causes financial and psychological harm to a patient by misrepresenting their condition.
Under the CCAOM Clean Needle Technique standards, acupuncture needles are classified as:
Answer: Single-use, sterile, disposable medical devices
CCAOM and FDA classify acupuncture needles as single-use, sterile, disposable devices; reuse is prohibited regardless of sterilization.
A patient with a known latex allergy presents for treatment. The acupuncturist should ensure that:
Answer: Only powder-free vinyl or nitrile gloves are used and latex products are removed from the treatment area
Latex-allergic patients can experience anaphylaxis from contact with latex gloves, tubing, or other latex-containing products, requiring a latex-safe treatment environment.
Which scenario BEST illustrates the ethical principle of justice in acupuncture practice?
Answer: Providing the same high standard of care regardless of the patient's ability to pay or social status
Justice in healthcare ethics requires fair and equitable treatment of all patients without discrimination based on socioeconomic status, race, or other factors.