Ethics & Law · patient case with 1 question
Staff member reports inappropriate remarks by a patient
Patient: Adult patient of record
Chief complaint: Attends for continuing treatment.
Background: No relevant medical history.
Current findings: Your hygienist reports that this patient has been commenting on her body inappropriately during appointments.
Question 1
What is the best first step?
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: A. Address it directly with the patient, stating it is unacceptable and that he will be dismissed if it recurs
- A. CORRECT. You have a duty to provide a safe workplace, and that duty requires ACTION. The proportionate first step is to address the behaviour directly, name it as unacceptable, and set an explicit consequence. This protects the staff member, documents the issue and gives fair notice.
- B. Quietly rearranging the schedule fails the hygienist entirely, leaves the behaviour unaddressed and signals that it is tolerated.
- C. Immediate dismissal without any discussion risks patient abandonment, and skips the proportionate step. Dismissal is appropriate if the behaviour continues, following proper notice and arrangements for emergency care.
- D. Referring him on without addressing the behaviour simply transfers the problem to a colleague and their staff.
Note: Sequence to remember: address it, document it, set consequences, and dismiss with proper notice only if it recurs.