Infection Control, Safety, and Advertising/Practice-Location Rules
What this domain tests
This domain tests basic infection-control and safety obligations, plus the rules on truthful advertising, credentials, and where a licensee may practice.
Core rules
- Use standard precautions with every patient: hand hygiene, gloves and other PPE as indicated, safe handling of sharps, and proper cleaning or disinfection of equipment and surfaces.
- Bloodborne-pathogen and hazard-communication rules apply in the workplace; know exposure-control procedures and report exposures.
- Safety includes patient handling, fall prevention, emergency procedures, and maintaining equipment in safe working order.
- Advertising must be truthful and not misleading. Do not claim a specialty or board certification you do not hold. Use of “Dr.” or similar titles is restricted to those entitled to use them.
- Practice only where licensed. Notify the board of address or practice-location changes as required, display the license as required, and comply with telehealth rules when treating patients located in Louisiana.
Worked example
A clinic advertises a PT as a “board-certified orthopedic specialist” after the PT completed a weekend course but did not obtain board certification. The advertisement is misleading and must be corrected. Reasoning: advertising may describe actual credentials, but implying a certification that does not exist violates the professional-conduct and advertising rules.
Traps that cost marks
- Assuming standard precautions apply only to patients with known infections.
- Advertising a “specialty” based on experience alone.
- Treating a patient in another state without checking that state’s licensure requirements.
- Failing to update the board after a practice-location change.
- Using a title or credential that is not authorized.