Communication & Client Relations Flashcards
7 cards from real CET practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Communication & Client Relations flashcards as text
A colleague performs an echo and documents findings the sonographer disagrees with. The appropriate first step is to:
Answer: Discuss the concern directly with the colleague in a private, professional manner
Professional peer communication should be the first step when there are concerns about documentation or technique discrepancies.
Which statement about HIPAA and patient communication is correct?
Answer: Patients have the right to request restrictions on certain disclosures of their PHI
HIPAA grants patients the right to request restrictions on disclosures of their protected health information, though providers are not always required to agree.
A patient asks the sonographer not to document a specific medication they take recreationally. The sonographer should:
Answer: Explain that accurate documentation is essential for patient safety and complete the record truthfully
Accurate medical documentation is a professional and legal obligation, and the patient should understand how it relates to their safety.
During an echo, a patient asks 'Am I going to die?' The most therapeutic response is to:
Answer: Respond with empathy, acknowledge their fear, and direct deeper concerns to their physician
Empathic acknowledgment validates fear without providing false reassurance, and physicians are best positioned to address prognosis.
Which practice best supports continuity of care through effective communication with the referring team?
Answer: Providing a timely, complete, and accurate written echo report that follows department standards
Timely, standardized written reports ensure the referring team has the information needed for clinical decision-making.
A patient's family member demands to be present in the echo room during the procedure. The sonographer should:
Answer: Ask the patient's preference and follow facility policy regarding visitor presence
The patient's preference and facility policy together determine visitor access, respecting both autonomy and institutional guidelines.
An elderly patient becomes confused during the echo. The most appropriate immediate action is to:
Answer: Pause, speak calmly and clearly, reorient the patient, and notify the care team
Pausing to reorient a confused patient and alerting the clinical team ensures safety and appropriate medical response.