ETHICS AND LAW IN DENTAL HYGIENE
NATIONAL BOARD EXAM NEWEST
QUESTIONS AND DETAILED CORRECT
ANSWERS | A+ GRADE
1. The main normative principles in health care are
nonmaleficence, beneficence, autonomy and
a. veracity.
b. justice.
c. confidentiality.
d. paternalism.
1. CORRECT ANSWER B
These principles are associated with expectations for
behavior, and they provide guidelines in dealing with right
and wrong actions. These principles provide direction
about what should and should not be done in specific
situations.
2. If a dentist intentionally charges an insurance company
for procedures not performed it is an ethical dilemma,
because an ethical dilemma occurs when one or more
ethical principles are in conflict.
a. Both that statement and reason are correct and related.
b. Both the statement and reason are correct but NOT
related.
c. The statement is correct, but the reason is NOT.
d. The statement is NOT correct, but the reason is correct.
e. NEITHER the statement NOR the reason is correct.
,2. CORRECT ANSWER D
An ethical dilemma occurs when one or more ethical
principles are in conflict. It is different from a situation in
which a dentist is knowingly and intentionally charging an
insurance company for procedures not performed.
3. Principles, values, and rules in health care will help
guide decision making in the process of providing the best
dental health care for the patient. Weighing and balancing
ethical principles are the major tasks involved in ethical
decision making.
a. Both statements are true.
b. Both statements are false.
c. The first statement is true, and the second statement is
false.
d. The first statement is false, and the second statement is
true.
3. CORRECT ANSWER A
In a perfect world the needs and wants of the patient
would always come first, and no conflicts, disputes, or
dilemmas would exist for the dental hygienist or any health
care provider to resolve. However, that is not the case in
the real world, where what is in the patient's best interest
may be open to question depending on whose perspective
is being considered.
4. A ___________ is a general normative standard of
conduct, holding that a particular decision or action is true
or right or good for all people in all times and all places.
,a. reference point
b. demonstration
c. principle
d. value
4. CORRECT ANSWER C
Principles derive from common morality and the traditions
of health care, specifically from some of the role
obligations of practicing medical clinicians.
5. A hygienist who is unfamiliar with placing dental
sealants should
a. perform the procedure without informing the patient
because he or she will learn best by doing it.
b. perform the procedure and inform the patient that he or
she is a beginner.
c. defer placing sealants until achieving competency.
d. never perform the procedure again for the remainder of
his or her career.
5. CORRECT ANSWER C
A dental hygienist has the obligation to stay up to date
with the changing standards of care in the profession. A
hygienist who is unfamiliar with sealant placement
procedures or anesthesia techniques should defer
performing that service until achieving competency.
6. Causing some degree of harm when that harm will lead
to a greater good may be desirable as well as necessary
according to the principle of double effect which is part of
the principle of
, a. nomaleficence.
b. beneficence.
c. autonomy.
d. justice.
6. CORRECT ANSWER A
A health care provider may not always be able to avoid
harm. The principle of double effect requires the health
care provider to consider the risks and benefits whenever
treatment is provided.
7. Avoiding harm _______ always possible and promoting
good _____ always possible in the practice of dental
hygiene.
a. is; is
b. is; is not
c. is not; is
d. is not; is not
7. CORRECT ANSWER D
Avoiding harm and promoting good in the practice of
dental hygiene and dentistry are not always possible.
8. Both nonmaleficence and beneficence require the
physician to do what will best benefit the patient, which is
a _____________ approach.
a. male justice orientation
b. female ethic of care
c. consequentialist or utilitarian
d. nonconsequentialist or deontological
8. CORRECT ANSWER C
NATIONAL BOARD EXAM NEWEST
QUESTIONS AND DETAILED CORRECT
ANSWERS | A+ GRADE
1. The main normative principles in health care are
nonmaleficence, beneficence, autonomy and
a. veracity.
b. justice.
c. confidentiality.
d. paternalism.
1. CORRECT ANSWER B
These principles are associated with expectations for
behavior, and they provide guidelines in dealing with right
and wrong actions. These principles provide direction
about what should and should not be done in specific
situations.
2. If a dentist intentionally charges an insurance company
for procedures not performed it is an ethical dilemma,
because an ethical dilemma occurs when one or more
ethical principles are in conflict.
a. Both that statement and reason are correct and related.
b. Both the statement and reason are correct but NOT
related.
c. The statement is correct, but the reason is NOT.
d. The statement is NOT correct, but the reason is correct.
e. NEITHER the statement NOR the reason is correct.
,2. CORRECT ANSWER D
An ethical dilemma occurs when one or more ethical
principles are in conflict. It is different from a situation in
which a dentist is knowingly and intentionally charging an
insurance company for procedures not performed.
3. Principles, values, and rules in health care will help
guide decision making in the process of providing the best
dental health care for the patient. Weighing and balancing
ethical principles are the major tasks involved in ethical
decision making.
a. Both statements are true.
b. Both statements are false.
c. The first statement is true, and the second statement is
false.
d. The first statement is false, and the second statement is
true.
3. CORRECT ANSWER A
In a perfect world the needs and wants of the patient
would always come first, and no conflicts, disputes, or
dilemmas would exist for the dental hygienist or any health
care provider to resolve. However, that is not the case in
the real world, where what is in the patient's best interest
may be open to question depending on whose perspective
is being considered.
4. A ___________ is a general normative standard of
conduct, holding that a particular decision or action is true
or right or good for all people in all times and all places.
,a. reference point
b. demonstration
c. principle
d. value
4. CORRECT ANSWER C
Principles derive from common morality and the traditions
of health care, specifically from some of the role
obligations of practicing medical clinicians.
5. A hygienist who is unfamiliar with placing dental
sealants should
a. perform the procedure without informing the patient
because he or she will learn best by doing it.
b. perform the procedure and inform the patient that he or
she is a beginner.
c. defer placing sealants until achieving competency.
d. never perform the procedure again for the remainder of
his or her career.
5. CORRECT ANSWER C
A dental hygienist has the obligation to stay up to date
with the changing standards of care in the profession. A
hygienist who is unfamiliar with sealant placement
procedures or anesthesia techniques should defer
performing that service until achieving competency.
6. Causing some degree of harm when that harm will lead
to a greater good may be desirable as well as necessary
according to the principle of double effect which is part of
the principle of
, a. nomaleficence.
b. beneficence.
c. autonomy.
d. justice.
6. CORRECT ANSWER A
A health care provider may not always be able to avoid
harm. The principle of double effect requires the health
care provider to consider the risks and benefits whenever
treatment is provided.
7. Avoiding harm _______ always possible and promoting
good _____ always possible in the practice of dental
hygiene.
a. is; is
b. is; is not
c. is not; is
d. is not; is not
7. CORRECT ANSWER D
Avoiding harm and promoting good in the practice of
dental hygiene and dentistry are not always possible.
8. Both nonmaleficence and beneficence require the
physician to do what will best benefit the patient, which is
a _____________ approach.
a. male justice orientation
b. female ethic of care
c. consequentialist or utilitarian
d. nonconsequentialist or deontological
8. CORRECT ANSWER C
