CSLB General Building (B) — All Questions

A visitor asks a technician to confirm whether their neighbor is a patient and what condition they have. What is the correct response under HIPAA?

• a.Confirm the room number so they can visit
• b.Share the diagnosis since they are neighbors
• c.Politely decline to share any patient information and refer the request to appropriate staff✓
• d.Give general details but not the exact diagnosis

HIPAA protects patients' health information, and technicians may not disclose whether someone is a patient or their condition to unauthorized individuals. The technician should politely decline and direct the person to the nurse or facility policy for handling such requests. Even confirming a patient's presence can be a privacy violation.HIPAA

A competent patient refuses a bath that the technician planned to give. What is the appropriate response respecting patient rights?

• a.Give the bath anyway because it is scheduled
• b.Tell the patient they have no choice
• c.Wait until the patient is asleep and proceed
• d.Respect the patient's right to refuse, explain the benefits, and report the refusal✓

Patients have the right to refuse care, and forcing care against a competent patient's wishes can constitute battery. The technician should respect the refusal, provide education about the benefits, and document and report it to the nurse. The patient's autonomy and dignity must be honored.

Which of the following is an example of objective data that a technician would document?

• a.A blood pressure reading of 128/82 mmHg✓
• b.The patient's statement 'I feel nauseous'
• c.A report of a headache described by the patient
• d.The patient saying they slept poorly

Objective data are measurable, observable facts such as a blood pressure reading, temperature, or visible wound drainage. Subjective data are what the patient reports, such as pain, nausea, or feelings. Documentation should clearly distinguish measured findings from patient statements.

A technician makes an error while charting on a paper record. What is the correct way to correct it?

• a.Erase the mistake completely
• b.Draw a single line through the error, write 'error' with initials and date, and enter the correct information✓
• c.Use correction fluid to cover it
• d.Scribble it out so it cannot be read

A charting error on paper is corrected by drawing a single line through it so the original remains legible, then labeling it as an error with the initials and date, and writing the correct entry. Erasing, using correction fluid, or obscuring an entry raises legal and integrity concerns. Accurate, transparent records are a legal document.

A patient's family member asks the technician to adjust the dose of the patient's IV medication because the patient seems uncomfortable. What is the appropriate action within scope of practice?

• a.Adjust the IV rate as requested
• b.Tell the family it is fine to change it themselves
• c.Explain this is outside the technician's scope and notify the nurse promptly✓
• d.Turn off the IV pump to be safe

Adjusting medications or IV rates is outside a patient care technician's scope of practice and must be handled by a licensed nurse. The technician should acknowledge the concern, explain the limitation, and promptly report it to the nurse. Working within scope protects patient safety and follows legal boundaries.

A patient appears anxious before a procedure. Which response by the technician is an example of therapeutic communication?

• a.'Don't worry, everything will be fine.'
• b.'There's no reason to be nervous.'
• c.Changing the subject to avoid the topic
• d.'You seem worried. Would you like to tell me what's concerning you?'✓

Therapeutic communication uses open-ended questions and reflection to encourage the patient to express feelings, such as acknowledging the worry and inviting them to share. False reassurance and dismissing concerns block communication and can make the patient feel unheard. Active listening builds trust and helps identify the patient's needs.

A patient from a different cultural background declines to make direct eye contact and prefers a family member present during care. How should the technician respond with cultural competence?

• a.Respect the patient's cultural preferences and adapt care accordingly✓
• b.Insist the patient make eye contact
• c.Ask the family member to leave
• d.Assume the patient is being uncooperative

Cultural competence means respecting and adapting to patients' cultural beliefs and practices, such as preferences about eye contact or family involvement. Avoiding eye contact may be a sign of respect in some cultures, not disinterest. Providing individualized, respectful care improves trust and outcomes.

Who is responsible for obtaining a patient's informed consent for a medical procedure?

• a.The patient care technician
• b.The provider (physician or licensed practitioner) performing the procedure✓
• c.The receptionist at check-in
• d.Any staff member available

Informed consent is the responsibility of the provider performing the procedure, who explains the risks, benefits, and alternatives. The technician does not obtain consent but may witness a signature or reinforce that questions be directed to the provider. Ensuring true informed consent protects patient autonomy and legal rights.

A patient has an advance directive on file. What does this document primarily do?

• a.Authorizes the technician to make all care decisions
• b.Guarantees the patient will refuse all treatment
• c.States the patient's wishes for medical care if they become unable to communicate them✓
• d.Replaces the need for provider orders

An advance directive documents a patient's wishes for medical treatment and may name a healthcare proxy for situations when the patient cannot speak for themselves. It guides the care team in honoring the patient's preferences. It supports patient autonomy and should be respected and accessible to the team.

A technician monitoring telemetry notices a patient's rhythm has changed to a fast, abnormal pattern and the patient reports chest discomfort. What is the appropriate action?

• a.Wait until the end of the shift to report it
• b.Silence the alarm and take no action
• c.Document it only, without telling anyone
• d.Notify the nurse immediately and stay alert to the patient's condition✓

A telemetry technician who observes a significant rhythm change with symptoms must notify the nurse or provider immediately so timely intervention can occur. Silencing alarms or delaying reporting endangers the patient. The technician monitors and communicates changes but does not diagnose or treat.

When entering patient data into the electronic health record, which practice best supports accuracy and safety?

• a.Verify patient identifiers and enter data promptly and correctly, reviewing before saving✓
• b.Enter data from memory hours later
• c.Use another staff member's login for convenience
• d.Round values however seems easiest

Accurate data entry requires verifying the correct patient with two identifiers, recording values precisely and promptly, and reviewing entries before saving. Charting from memory and estimating values introduce errors that can harm patients. Each user must use their own login to maintain accountability and security.

A technician fails to raise the side rails as ordered, and the patient falls and is injured. This failure to provide reasonable care that a prudent technician would provide is an example of:

• a.Assault
• b.Negligence✓
• c.Slander
• d.Defamation

Negligence is the failure to provide the standard of care that a reasonably prudent person would provide, resulting in harm to the patient. Following orders and safety measures such as raising ordered side rails is part of that standard. Documentation and adherence to policy help prevent negligence and protect both patient and technician.

A technician overhears coworkers discussing a celebrity patient's diagnosis in the cafeteria. What is the ethical and legal concern here?

• a.There is no concern since staff can discuss patients anywhere
• b.It is acceptable because the patient is famous
• c.It breaches patient confidentiality and HIPAA to discuss protected information in a public area✓
• d.It is only a problem if a visitor complains

Discussing a patient's protected health information in a public place like a cafeteria breaches confidentiality and violates HIPAA, regardless of the patient's fame. Patient information should be shared only with those involved in the patient's care and in private settings. Maintaining confidentiality is both an ethical duty and a legal requirement.HIPAA

A technician notices unexplained bruises and signs that suggest a vulnerable patient may be abused. What is the appropriate action?

• a.Ignore it unless the patient complains
• b.Confront the suspected abuser directly
• c.Wait to see if more bruises appear
• d.Report the observations to the nurse or supervisor per facility policy as a mandated reporter✓

Healthcare workers are typically mandated reporters and must report suspected abuse or neglect through the proper channels, usually the nurse or supervisor per facility policy. The technician reports objective observations rather than investigating or confronting anyone. Timely reporting protects vulnerable patients from harm.

When communicating with a patient who is hard of hearing but does not use sign language, which technique is most helpful?

• a.Face the patient, speak clearly at a normal-to-slightly-slower pace, and reduce background noise✓
• b.Shout loudly into the patient's ear
• c.Cover your mouth while speaking
• d.Speak quickly to save time

For a patient who is hard of hearing, the technician should face the patient so they can see the lips, speak clearly at a moderate pace, and minimize background noise. Shouting distorts speech and covering the mouth prevents lip reading. Ensuring hearing aids are in place and using written communication as needed also help.

A technician is unsure whether a task assigned to them is within their scope. What is the appropriate first step following the chain of command?

• a.Perform the task and hope it is allowed
• b.Clarify with the supervising nurse before performing the task✓
• c.Refuse and say nothing to anyone
• d.Ask a visitor for advice

When uncertain about scope or an assignment, the technician should follow the chain of command and clarify with the supervising nurse before acting. Performing a task outside one's scope endangers the patient and the technician's license or certification. Seeking clarification demonstrates professional accountability and patient safety awareness.

Under the HIPAA 'minimum necessary' principle, how should a technician access and share patient information?

• a.Access all records freely for curiosity
• b.Share full records with anyone who asks
• c.Access and share only the information needed to perform the specific job task✓
• d.Post updates on social media to keep family informed

The HIPAA minimum necessary standard requires that staff access and share only the protected health information needed to accomplish a specific task. Browsing records out of curiosity or oversharing violates this principle. Limiting access protects patient privacy and reduces the risk of breaches.HIPAA

After a patient falls, in addition to notifying the nurse, the technician should complete which document?

• a.A social media post
• b.A personal note to keep at home
• c.Nothing, since the nurse handles it
• d.An incident (occurrence) report documenting the facts objectively✓

An incident or occurrence report is completed after an event such as a fall to objectively document the facts, actions taken, and the patient's condition. It is a factual record used for quality improvement and risk management, not for blame. The report is kept separate from the medical record and completed promptly per policy.