COT Patient Care and Communication 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Before performing any ophthalmic test, the technician should FIRST:
- Dim the room lights
- Verify patient identity and review the chief complaint (Correct answer)
- Instill dilating drops
- Check the instrument calibration
Correct answer: Verify patient identity and review the chief complaint
Confirming patient identity and understanding the chief complaint ensures testing is appropriate and prevents errors.
Question 2: When documenting a patient's visual acuity as 20/40, what does this mean?
- The patient sees at 20 feet what a normal eye sees at 40 feet (Correct answer)
- The patient sees at 40 feet what a normal eye sees at 20 feet
- The patient has 40% vision in one eye
- The patient requires a +2.00 correction
Correct answer: The patient sees at 20 feet what a normal eye sees at 40 feet
Snellen notation means the patient must be 20 feet away to see what a person with normal vision sees at 40 feet.
Question 3: Which communication technique is most appropriate when explaining a new diagnosis to an anxious patient?
- Use complex medical terminology to appear authoritative
- Speak quickly to reduce their anxiety sooner
- Use plain language, maintain eye contact, and allow questions (Correct answer)
- Avoid the topic to prevent further distress
Correct answer: Use plain language, maintain eye contact, and allow questions
Plain language, eye contact, and open dialogue promote patient understanding and build trust in anxious patients.
Question 4: HIPAA regulations require that patient health information be shared with:
- Any staff member in the practice
- Only those with a clinical need to know (Correct answer)
- Family members who ask
- Insurance companies without authorization
Correct answer: Only those with a clinical need to know
HIPAA's minimum necessary standard limits PHI sharing to staff with a legitimate clinical or operational need.
Question 5: What is the correct technique for documenting a medication allergy in a patient record?
- Write it only on the pharmacy form
- Record it verbally to the physician only
- Document allergy, reaction type, and severity prominently in the chart (Correct answer)
- Note it only if the allergy is life-threatening
Correct answer: Document allergy, reaction type, and severity prominently in the chart
All allergies should be documented with the specific reaction and severity to prevent accidental exposure during treatment.
Question 6: When assisting a patient with low vision in an unfamiliar clinic environment, you should:
- Hold their arm and guide them without asking
- Offer a sighted guide technique and let the patient take your arm (Correct answer)
- Walk quickly ahead and instruct them to follow your voice
- Have them wait alone while you fetch a wheelchair
Correct answer: Offer a sighted guide technique and let the patient take your arm
The sighted guide technique involves the patient grasping the guide's arm just above the elbow, giving them control and safety.
