CPO CPO Professional Issues 3

Question 1

A paraoptometric observes a patient's adult child verbally berating and threatening the elderly patient in the reception area.
The patient appears fearful and has unexplained bruises.
What is the MOST appropriate and ethically required action for the paraoptometric to take?

Accepted Answer

Follow the office's established protocol for reporting suspected elder abuse to the appropriate state agency.

Answer

Ask the adult child to leave the office immediately and document the interaction in the patient's chart.

Answer

Privately ask the patient if they feel safe and offer them resources for domestic abuse.

Answer

Inform the optometrist of the situation and suggest they speak with the family together.

Question 2

An established patient who only speaks Spanish arrives for their appointment. The office typically uses a specific third-party translation service, but it is unavailable. The patient's 12-year-old grandchild is present and fluent in both Spanish and English. To obtain informed consent for a new diagnostic procedure, which of the following is the proper course of action?

Accepted Answer

Reschedule the appointment for a time when an approved, professional interpreter is available.

Answer

Proceed with the exam and have the grandchild translate the consent form for the patient.

Answer

Use a web-based translation application to convey the consent information to the patient.

Answer

Obtain consent using the 'short form' method with a bilingual staff member from another department acting as a witness.

Question 3

A patient posts a negative review on a public social media page, detailing their dissatisfaction with their new prescription and mentioning the paraoptometric by name. Which of the following responses by the paraoptometric would constitute a HIPAA violation?

Accepted Answer

Replying publicly, "I'm sorry you feel that way. We noted your uncorrected 20/40 acuity and offered a recheck, which you declined."

Answer

Posting a private message to the patient offering to help resolve the issue.

Answer

Replying publicly, "We are sorry you are not satisfied. Please call our office so we can address your specific concerns."

Answer

Liking or sharing the patient's original post to show it has been seen.

Question 4

A paraoptometric provides emergency first aid to a person who collapsed at a community event on a Saturday. The person later tries to sue the paraoptometric, claiming the assistance provided was negligent. Which legal principle or type of insurance is most likely to protect the paraoptometric in this situation?

Accepted Answer

Good Samaritan Laws

Answer

General Liability Insurance

Answer

Occurrence-Based Malpractice Policy

Answer

Employment Practices Liability Insurance

Question 5

During a busy clinic, a paraoptometric realizes they entered the incorrect intraocular pressure (IOP) reading into the electronic health record for a patient who has already left. The incorrect value is significantly lower than the actual measurement. What is the most critical immediate step?

Accepted Answer

Immediately locate the optometrist, inform them of the error, and follow the protocol for amending the EHR.

Answer

Wait until the patient's next appointment to correct the record.

Answer

Make a note in the paper-based day sheet to correct it later.

Answer

Leave a message for the patient asking them to disregard any information they may see on their patient portal.

Question 6

Which of the following scenarios falls outside the generally accepted scope of practice for a Certified Paraoptometric (CPO)?

Accepted Answer

Independently interpreting the results of a visual field test and explaining the diagnosis to the patient.

Answer

Instructing a new patient on the proper insertion, removal, and care of soft contact lenses.

Answer

Performing automated keratometry and refractometry as part of a patient workup.

Answer

Transcribing the optometrist's findings and prescribed treatment plan into the patient's record.