I85PREP
⌘ K
NE Dental Jurisprudence study materials
NE Dental Jurisprudence study resources

NE Dental Jurisprudence practice questions

One question at a time. Build your NE Dental Jurisprudence understanding.

First 50 of 200 questions. Each one lists the choices, the correct answer, and an explanation. The checker at the top of this page saves progress in this browser when it is available.

Continue in the practice tool above to load more questions, 50 at a time.

Question 1Dentist

Under Nebraska's Dental Practice Act, which individual is authorized to perform a dental prophylaxis and apply topical fluoride under the direct supervision of a licensed dentist?

  1. A dental office receptionist trained on the job
  2. A certified dental assistant with no additional credentials
  3. An unlicensed pre-dental college student
  4. A licensed dental hygienist Correct answer.

Explanation

Nebraska law permits licensed dental hygienists to perform prophylaxis and fluoride application, generally under the supervision level specified in statute and rule. Unlicensed personnel and standard dental assistants cannot provide these services regardless of on-the-job training.

Question 2Dentist

In Nebraska, a dentist who wishes to delegate a task to a dental assistant must first confirm that the task is:

  1. Listed as delegable in the Dental Practice Act and its rules Correct answer.
  2. Covered by the office's malpractice policy
  3. Approved in writing by the patient before the appointment
  4. Taught in an ADA-accredited assisting program

Explanation

Delegation authority flows from the Dental Practice Act and the Board of Dentistry's regulations, which enumerate what may be assigned to assistants and under what supervision. Patient consent, training programs, and insurance coverage do not create legal authority to delegate.

Question 3Dentist

A Nebraska-licensed dentist moves to another state and intends to practice there. Which statement best describes the effect of the Nebraska license?

  1. It authorizes practice only within Nebraska's borders Correct answer.
  2. It converts into a federal dental license upon relocation
  3. It automatically grants reciprocal licensure in every state
  4. It remains valid for practice anywhere in the United States

Explanation

A state dental license is a jurisdictional grant limited to the issuing state; Nebraska licensure does not confer authority to practice elsewhere. The dentist must satisfy the new state's licensure requirements, which may or may not include reciprocity provisions.

Question 4Dentist

Which Nebraska requirement must be satisfied to maintain an active dental license?

  1. Obtaining annual re-endorsement from a local dental society
  2. Retaking the clinical licensing examination every renewal cycle
  3. Completing the continuing education hours required by the Board during each renewal cycle Correct answer.
  4. Submitting a new fingerprint card at each renewal

Explanation

Nebraska requires licensees to complete continuing education in the amounts and subject areas set by statute and Board rule to renew an active license. Re-examination, repeat fingerprinting, and society endorsement are not renewal conditions for an active license.

Question 5Dentist

A Nebraska dentist learns that a patient's records are being sought through a subpoena in a malpractice suit. Which response is most consistent with Nebraska law and professional obligations?

  1. Release only what the subpoena or a patient authorization lawfully requires, after verifying its validity Correct answer.
  2. Refuse all requests for records because dental records are absolutely privileged
  3. Provide the entire chart to the requesting attorney as a professional courtesy
  4. Destroy the records to protect patient confidentiality

Explanation

Patient records are confidential, but a valid subpoena or authorization can compel or permit disclosure. The dentist should verify the legal demand and disclose only the records it covers; destroying records or refusing valid legal process is improper.

Question 6Dentist

Under Nebraska's mandatory reporting provisions, a dentist who has reasonable cause to believe a child has been abused or neglected must:

  1. Report only if the parent or guardian consents to disclosure
  2. Investigate the family circumstances before deciding whether to report
  3. Wait for the physician of record to make the report
  4. Report to the appropriate child protective authority as required by statute Correct answer.

Explanation

Nebraska law makes dentists mandatory reporters of suspected child abuse or neglect, and the report must go to the designated authority. The reporter does not investigate, does not need parental consent, and should not defer solely to another provider.

Question 7Dentist

A Nebraska dentist plans to advertise a new implant service. Which approach complies with Nebraska advertising rules?

  1. Use only truthful statements that are not misleading and avoid claims of superior results Correct answer.
  2. Advertise as a specialist in implantology without specialty credentials
  3. Guarantee that every implant will last a lifetime
  4. Offer a free examination but disclose the fee only after treatment begins

Explanation

Nebraska permits advertising that is truthful and not deceptive, and prohibits false or misleading claims. Guarantees of results, unearned specialty designations, and undisclosed fee arrangements create deceptive or misleading impressions.

Question 8Dentist

A patient in a Nebraska dental office experiences a medical emergency. Which statement best reflects the dentist's legal obligation?

  1. Decline to assist because the patient signed a general consent form
  2. Refer the patient to a hospital without any interim assessment
  3. Provide emergency care within the dentist's competence and arrange transfer when needed Correct answer.
  4. Provide care only after the patient pays in advance

Explanation

Dentists have an ethical and legal duty to respond to emergencies arising in their practice within the limits of their training, stabilizing the patient and arranging appropriate transfer. Consent forms and payment status do not excuse a failure to render emergency aid.

Question 9Dentist

A Nebraska dentist wants to terminate the dentist-patient relationship because of a personality conflict. Which step is most important for a lawful termination?

  1. Stop scheduling the patient without any notice
  2. Give the patient written notice allowing reasonable time to obtain another dentist and offer records transfer Correct answer.
  3. Ask the front desk to remove the patient from the recall list silently
  4. Tell the patient verbally during a procedure and end care immediately

Explanation

Proper termination requires notice, a reasonable transition period, and cooperation in transferring records so the patient is not abandoned. Silent removal or abrupt termination without notice risks a claim of patient abandonment.

Question 10Dentist

In Nebraska, which action by a dental hygienist would exceed the hygienist's lawful scope without additional authorization?

  1. Performing a surgical extraction of an erupted tooth Correct answer.
  2. Placing a topical fluoride varnish
  3. Taking bitewing radiographs
  4. Providing oral hygiene instruction

Explanation

Extraction is a surgical procedure reserved to licensed dentists; hygienists may not perform it even under general supervision. Fluoride application, radiographs, and hygiene instruction fall within hygiene practice as regulated.

Question 11Dentist

A Nebraska dentist is called to testify about a former patient's treatment. Which statement about the dentist-patient privilege is most accurate?

  1. The privilege applies only to written records, not testimony
  2. The dentist may invoke the privilege to avoid all testimony
  3. The privilege belongs to the patient and may be waived by the patient Correct answer.
  4. The privilege ends when treatment is completed

Explanation

Confidentiality protection and the testimonial privilege generally belong to the patient, who may waive them. The dentist cannot unilaterally refuse to testify when the patient has waived the privilege or when an exception applies.

Question 12Dentist

A Nebraska dentist discovers that a staff member has been practicing hygiene without a license. What is the dentist's most appropriate response?

  1. Stop the unlicensed activity immediately and document corrective action Correct answer.
  2. Allow the practice if the dentist reviews all work afterward
  3. Continue the arrangement if the employee is experienced
  4. Report the situation only if a patient complains

Explanation

Aiding unlicensed practice is itself a violation, so the dentist must halt the activity at once and take documented corrective steps. Experience, retrospective review, or the absence of complaints does not cure the illegality.

Question 13Dentist

Which situation most clearly requires a Nebraska dentist to obtain informed consent before treatment?

  1. Scheduling a future recall appointment
  2. A restorative procedure with material risks and reasonable alternatives Correct answer.
  3. A routine visual inspection of the teeth
  4. A conversation in which the patient asks about flossing

Explanation

Informed consent applies to treatment decisions that carry material risks and alternatives, such as restorative care. Routine examination, patient education, and scheduling are not treatment interventions requiring formal consent.

Question 14Dentist

A Nebraska dentist's patient recordkeeping practice should ensure that:

  1. Entries are contemporaneous, legible, and retained for the period required by law Correct answer.
  2. Only positive findings are documented
  3. Records are kept solely in the dentist's memory
  4. Records are discarded once the bill is paid

Explanation

Nebraska rules require accurate, timely records retained for the statutory period, because they support continuity of care and legal defense. Discarding records after payment or omitting findings defeats those purposes.

Question 15Dentist

A Nebraska dentist is asked to prescribe an antibiotic for a patient who has not been examined and whose condition is unclear. Which response is most consistent with the standard of care?

  1. Evaluate the patient or obtain sufficient clinical information before prescribing Correct answer.
  2. Prescribe based solely on the telephone request
  3. Refuse all prescriptions without explanation
  4. Prescribe the strongest antibiotic available

Explanation

Prescribing requires an adequate basis in clinical assessment, and Nebraska law and the standard of care expect the dentist to establish that basis. Prescribing blindly or defaulting to the most powerful drug is not defensible.

Question 16Dentist

In Nebraska, a dental assistant may perform coronal polishing only when:

  1. The patient requests that the assistant do it
  2. The dentist is out of the office
  3. The assistant holds the appropriate credential and the required supervision is present Correct answer.
  4. The assistant has watched a video on polishing

Explanation

Coronal polishing by an assistant in Nebraska requires the specific credential and supervision level established by statute and rule. Patient preference, dentist absence, or informal training cannot substitute for those requirements.

Question 17Dentist

A Nebraska dentist suspects that a colleague is impaired by substance abuse while treating patients. What is the most appropriate action under Nebraska law and professional responsibility?

  1. Discuss the concern with patients as a warning
  2. Ignore the concern to avoid interfering with another licensee
  3. Report the concern to the appropriate authority or impaired-practitioner program Correct answer.
  4. Confront the colleague publicly in the office

Explanation

Nebraska law and professional ethics encourage or require reporting of an impaired practitioner to protect the public, often through a designated impaired-practitioner program. Ignoring the risk, public confrontation, or alarming patients is not the proper channel.

Question 18Dentist

A Nebraska dentist receives a request from a patient to amend an error in the dental record. Which action is most appropriate?

  1. Replace the chart with a new one and destroy the original
  2. Erase the original entry and rewrite it cleanly
  3. Refuse all amendments to dental records
  4. Add a dated correction or addendum that preserves the original entry Correct answer.

Explanation

Records should be corrected by a dated addendum or correction that leaves the original entry intact, preserving the integrity of the record. Erasing, replacing, or categorically refusing amendments undermines accuracy and credibility.

Question 19Dentist

Which entity in Nebraska is primarily responsible for disciplining a licensed dentist for unprofessional conduct?

  1. The state dental board under the authority of the Dental Practice Act Correct answer.
  2. The local chamber of commerce
  3. The American Dental Association
  4. The dentist's malpractice insurer

Explanation

The Nebraska Board of Dentistry, acting under the Dental Practice Act, investigates and recommends discipline for violations. Trade groups, insurers, and civic organizations do not hold police power over licensure.

Question 20Dentist

A Nebraska dentist is establishing a new practice and wants to know the legal basis for supervision levels of dental hygienists. Which source governs?

  1. The patient's insurance plan
  2. The manufacturer's instructions for equipment
  3. The Dental Practice Act and Board of Dentistry rules Correct answer.
  4. The office policy manual alone

Explanation

Supervision levels for hygienists are set by statute and Board rule, which define direct, indirect, and general supervision. Internal manuals, equipment instructions, and payer policies cannot override those legal standards.

Question 21Dentist

A Nebraska dentist treats a patient who is a minor. Regarding consent for routine dental treatment, which statement is most accurate?

  1. A parent or legal guardian generally must consent on the minor's behalf Correct answer.
  2. No consent is needed for minors
  3. Only a court order can authorize treatment of a minor
  4. The minor alone may consent to any dental procedure

Explanation

Nebraska generally requires consent from a parent or legal guardian for a minor's dental treatment, subject to specific statutory exceptions. Minors cannot consent to all procedures themselves, and routine care does not require a court order.

Question 22Dentist

A Nebraska dentist wants to use a general supervision arrangement for a hygienist performing services in a school-based program. Which consideration is most important?

  1. Delegate based on the hygienist's personal preference
  2. Rely on the school's permission alone
  3. Confirm that statute and rule permit the specific service under general supervision in that setting Correct answer.
  4. Assume general supervision is allowed wherever the dentist is reachable by phone

Explanation

The legality of general supervision depends on what the Dental Practice Act and Board rules authorize for the particular service and setting. Phone availability, staff preference, or a school's permission cannot expand the statutory scope.

Question 23Dentist

A Nebraska dentist is asked to sign a lien or assignment of benefits for a patient's insurance. Which practice is most appropriate?

  1. Bill the patient twice for the same service
  2. Waive all copayments without disclosure
  3. Follow the terms of the signed agreement and applicable insurance rules Correct answer.
  4. Submit claims for services not rendered

Explanation

Billing must conform to the signed assignment and applicable insurance and fraud rules. Duplicate billing, undisclosed copayment waivers, and false claims are fraudulent or deceptive practices.

Question 24Dentist

Which statement best describes the dentist's duty regarding patients infected with a bloodborne pathogen in Nebraska?

  1. The dentist may charge a surcharge for infection control
  2. The dentist must disclose the patient's status to other patients
  3. The dentist may refuse treatment solely because of the infection
  4. The dentist must provide care using standard precautions and may not refuse solely based on the diagnosis Correct answer.

Explanation

Dentists must use standard precautions for all patients and cannot discriminate solely on the basis of a bloodborne infection. Disclosing a patient's status or imposing a discriminatory surcharge violates confidentiality and antidiscrimination principles.

Question 25Dentist

A Nebraska dentist is considering a business arrangement in which a vendor pays the dentist for each referral. Which statement is most accurate?

  1. The arrangement is lawful if the vendor is in-state
  2. Fee-splitting for referrals may violate the Dental Practice Act and must be avoided Correct answer.
  3. The arrangement is lawful if the amounts are small
  4. The arrangement is lawful if disclosed to patients

Explanation

Nebraska restricts fee-splitting and payment for patient referrals as unprofessional conduct, and such arrangements can also raise fraud concerns. Disclosure, small amounts, or in-state status do not cure the underlying prohibition.

Question 26Dentist

A Nebraska licensed dentist moves to a new practice location within the state and begins seeing patients there. What is the dentist's obligation regarding the license itself?

  1. Notify the Nebraska Board of Dentistry of the address change so the license record stays current Correct answer.
  2. Surrender the license and apply for a new one at the new location
  3. Obtain a separate facility license for each treatment room at the new office
  4. Take no action, because a Nebraska license is valid at any address in the state

Explanation

Nebraska licensees must keep the Board informed of changes to the contact and practice information on file, because official notices and disciplinary correspondence are sent to the address of record. Failing to update that address can cause a dentist to miss renewal or hearing notices. The license itself remains valid statewide; only the record information changes.

Question 27Dentist

A Nebraska dentist is preparing to delegate a task to a newly hired dental assistant. Which factor most directly determines whether the delegation is lawful?

  1. Whether the task falls within the statutory functions permitted for a dental assistant and the required supervision level is met Correct answer.
  2. Whether the assistant holds current CPR certification
  3. Whether the dentist carries professional liability coverage for the assistant
  4. Whether the patient has signed a general consent for treatment

Explanation

Nebraska's Dental Practice Act defines which functions may be delegated to dental assistants and the level of supervision each requires. Lawful delegation depends on matching the task to the statutory list and providing the mandated supervision, not on insurance or consent paperwork. CPR and liability coverage are good practice but do not create authority to delegate.

Question 28Dentist

A Nebraska dentist is completing the continuing education required for license renewal. Which statement best reflects the Board's expectation for these hours?

  1. The required hours must be earned in approved courses and documented, with records retained for audit Correct answer.
  2. Hours earned in another state are never accepted under any circumstance
  3. Any self-study reading counts, with no documentation required
  4. Continuing education is required only after a disciplinary action

Explanation

Nebraska requires licensees to complete a specified number of approved continuing education hours per renewal cycle and to keep documentation available for audit. Self-directed reading without approval or records does not satisfy the requirement. The Board may audit compliance even when no complaint has been filed.

Question 29Dentist

A Nebraska dentist is closing a practice and must arrange for the dental records of former patients. Which approach best satisfies the dentist's professional and legal responsibilities?

  1. Destroy all records immediately to protect patient privacy
  2. Leave the records in the vacated office for the landlord to dispose of
  3. Refuse to release records because the dentist-patient relationship has ended
  4. Provide public notice and a means for patients to obtain their records or have them transferred to another dentist Correct answer.

Explanation

When a practice closes, patients must be given notice and a reasonable opportunity to obtain copies of their records or have them forwarded to a new provider. Records cannot simply be abandoned or destroyed while patients may still need them. The duty to safeguard and release records continues after the relationship ends.

Question 30Dentist

A Nebraska dentist is negotiating an employment agreement with a hygienist that includes a restrictive covenant. Which statement best describes how such a covenant is treated in Nebraska?

  1. Restrictive covenants against hygienists are prohibited in all circumstances
  2. Restrictive covenants are enforceable only when approved in advance by the Board of Dentistry
  3. Restrictive covenants are enforceable only if they are reasonable in scope and necessary to protect a legitimate business interest Correct answer.
  4. Restrictive covenants are enforceable without any limits on duration or geography

Explanation

Nebraska courts enforce covenants not to compete only when they are reasonable in time and geographic scope and serve a legitimate protectable interest of the employer. An overbroad restriction will be limited or refused enforcement. The Board does not pre-approve private employment contracts.

Question 31Dentist

A Nebraska dentist is asked by an attorney to provide a narrative summary of a patient's care in connection with litigation. The patient has signed a valid authorization. What is the most appropriate response?

  1. Provide only the records specifically named in the subpoena and refuse any narrative
  2. Send the entire chart to the attorney without any written request or authorization
  3. Respond as authorized, keeping the disclosure limited to what the authorization permits and documenting the release Correct answer.
  4. Decline, because dentists may never discuss patients outside the office

Explanation

A valid patient authorization permits disclosure of protected health information, but the release should be limited to what the authorization covers and the disclosure should be documented. Responding to a subpoena alone may not be sufficient without proper authorization or a court order. Sending records without a written request or authorization is improper.

Question 32Dentist

A Nebraska dentist learns that a patient's dental records were accessed by an unauthorized employee out of curiosity. Which response best reflects the dentist's obligations?

  1. Delete the audit logs to avoid liability
  2. Take no action because no harm to the patient is apparent
  3. Report the employee to the Board of Dentistry as the primary remedy
  4. Investigate the breach, mitigate any harm, and provide notification as required by applicable privacy law Correct answer.

Explanation

An unauthorized access of patient records is a privacy breach that triggers a duty to investigate, contain and mitigate the harm, and provide notification where the law requires it. Deleting evidence or ignoring the incident compounds the violation. Reporting an employee to the Board is not the mechanism for resolving a records breach.

Question 33Dentist

A Nebraska dentist is reviewing a proposed arrangement in which a management company would set clinical fees, hire hygienists, and control treatment scheduling while the dentist remains the nominal owner. Which analysis is most accurate?

  1. The arrangement risks violating the prohibition on unlicensed entities controlling dental practice and fee splitting, because clinical authority must remain with the licensed dentist Correct answer.
  2. The arrangement is permissible because the dentist holds the license
  3. The arrangement is permissible only if the company also employs the dentist
  4. The arrangement is permissible if the management company is paid a percentage of collections

Explanation

Nebraska law reserves the practice of dentistry and control over clinical judgment to licensed dentists. An arrangement that lets an unlicensed entity dictate fees, staffing, and treatment schedules can constitute unlawful control of practice and improper fee splitting. The licensed dentist must retain genuine authority over clinical and professional decisions.

Question 34Dentist

A Nebraska dentist is served with a subpoena for a patient's records in a malpractice case, and the patient has not consented to release. Which action is most appropriate?

  1. Destroy the records to avoid producing them
  2. Ignore the subpoena because the patient did not consent
  3. Seek guidance on whether a court order or valid authorization is required, and respond in a manner that protects the patient's confidentiality Correct answer.
  4. Release the full record immediately to the requesting attorney

Explanation

A subpoena issued by an attorney is not automatically the same as a court order, so the dentist should confirm that a proper authorization or court order supports the disclosure before releasing protected information. Responding thoughtfully protects both the patient's confidentiality and the dentist from contempt. Ignoring the subpoena or destroying records creates legal exposure.

Question 35Dental Hygienist

Under Nebraska dental hygiene law, which individual is authorized to perform coronal polishing as part of a dental hygiene procedure?

  1. A dental receptionist with a signed patient consent form
  2. A sterilization technician employed by the practice
  3. A licensed dental hygienist practicing under the required supervision Correct answer.
  4. Any dental assistant who has completed on-the-job training

Explanation

Coronal polishing is a clinical function reserved for licensed dental hygienists, who must meet the supervision level the statute assigns to that procedure. Unlicensed auxiliary staff cannot perform intraoral clinical services regardless of employer training or patient consent.

Question 36Dental Hygienist

A hygienist in Nebraska wishes to administer local anesthesia. What is the primary legal requirement before doing so?

  1. Verbal approval from the office manager on the day of treatment
  2. Possession of a current CPR card alone
  3. A written request from the supervising dentist for each individual patient
  4. Completion of board-approved coursework and holding the appropriate credential or permit Correct answer.

Explanation

Local anesthesia administration requires specific additional education approved by the board plus the credential or permit the licensing statute establishes. A dentist's patient-by-patient request cannot substitute for the required qualification.

Question 37Dental Hygienist

Which body is responsible for licensing dental hygienists and disciplining licensees in Nebraska?

  1. The local district court in the county of practice
  2. The Nebraska Board of Dentistry within the Department of Health and Human Services Correct answer.
  3. The American Dental Hygienists' Association
  4. The Commission on Dental Accreditation

Explanation

State regulation of dental hygiene is carried out through the board of dentistry and the state health department that administers licensure and discipline. Professional associations and accreditors have no authority to revoke a state license.

Question 38Dental Hygienist

A patient asks a hygienist to explain the office's privacy practices. Which federal rule governs how the practice may use and disclose the patient's health information?

  1. The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act
  2. The HIPAA Privacy Rule Correct answer.
  3. The Occupational Safety and Health Act
  4. The Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments

Explanation

The HIPAA Privacy Rule sets the national standards for use and disclosure of protected health information and requires practices to provide a notice of privacy practices. OSHA, debt collection law, and CLIA address workplace safety, billing conduct, and laboratory testing respectively.

Question 39Dental Hygienist

Which document must a Nebraska dental hygienist complete to maintain the legal right to practice during each renewal cycle?

  1. A notarized letter from the employing dentist
  2. A new jurisprudence examination every year
  3. A copy of the office's infection control manual
  4. A license renewal with the required continuing education and fee Correct answer.

Explanation

Licensure is maintained through periodic renewal that requires payment of the fee and completion of the continuing education hours the board mandates. Re-examination, employer letters, and office manuals are not renewal conditions.

Question 40Dental Hygienist

A hygienist notices that a sterilization pouch indicator failed to change color. What is the legally and clinically appropriate response?

  1. Use the instrument but note the failure in the chart
  2. Withhold the instrument from patient use and reprocess it according to office protocol Correct answer.
  3. Wipe the instrument with alcohol and proceed
  4. Discard the instrument permanently without documentation

Explanation

A failed process indicator means sterility cannot be assured, so the item must not be used until it is repackaged and reprocessed. Infection control standards require this response, and the event should be documented per office policy.

Question 41Dental Hygienist

Which action best describes the ethical principle of informed consent in dental hygiene care?

  1. Proceeding with treatment whenever the patient does not object
  2. Obtaining a signature on a form after treatment is finished
  3. Explaining the proposed treatment, alternatives, and risks, then obtaining the patient's voluntary agreement Correct answer.
  4. Allowing the dentist to consent on the patient's behalf

Explanation

Informed consent requires disclosure of the nature of treatment, reasonable alternatives, and material risks, followed by the patient's voluntary authorization. A signature alone, obtained after the fact or without discussion, does not satisfy the doctrine.

Question 42Dental Hygienist

Which record-keeping practice best supports a hygienist's legal defensibility if a patient later disputes the care provided?

  1. Omitting negative findings to keep the record brief
  2. Charting only the procedures that were billed
  3. Recording objective findings, treatment rendered, and patient instructions contemporaneously Correct answer.
  4. Writing entries days later from memory

Explanation

Contemporaneous, objective documentation of findings, care, and instructions creates a reliable record that can support the clinician if care is later questioned. Delayed or selective charting undermines credibility and may be treated as incomplete.

Question 43Dental Hygienist

A Nebraska hygienist is asked to perform a procedure that falls outside the statutory scope of dental hygiene. What is the most appropriate course of action?

  1. Perform it only if the patient signs a waiver
  2. Perform it because the dentist authorized it
  3. Perform it and document that the dentist requested it
  4. Decline to perform the procedure and refer the matter to the supervising dentist Correct answer.

Explanation

Scope of practice is set by statute, so a supervising dentist's authorization cannot expand what a hygienist may lawfully do. The hygienist should decline and ensure the service is provided by an appropriately licensed clinician.

Question 44Dental Hygienist

Which situation most clearly requires the hygienist to report suspected child abuse or neglect under Nebraska mandatory reporting law?

  1. A child has not seen a dentist in two years
  2. A caregiver declines a fluoride treatment
  3. A child presents with injuries inconsistent with the caregiver's explanation Correct answer.
  4. A child is anxious during a first dental visit

Explanation

Mandatory reporters must report reasonable suspicion of abuse or neglect, and injuries that do not match the stated cause are a classic trigger. Anxiety, refusal of a preventive service, and gaps in care are not by themselves evidence of abuse.

Question 45Dental Hygienist

A hygienist moves from another state and wants to practice in Nebraska. Which statement best reflects the typical licensure pathway?

  1. Apply for licensure by credentials or reciprocity, meeting the board's education and examination requirements Correct answer.
  2. Practice under the dentist's license until the file is complete
  3. Skip the application because a license in another state is sufficient
  4. Begin practicing immediately while the application is pending

Explanation

Out-of-state licensees must apply through the board's credentialing or reciprocity process and satisfy Nebraska's education and examination standards before practicing. A license from another state does not itself authorize practice in Nebraska.

Question 46Dental Hygienist

Which element is essential for a valid malpractice claim against a dental hygienist?

  1. A billing error on the patient's statement
  2. A disagreement between the hygienist and the dentist
  3. A breach of the standard of care that caused the patient's injury Correct answer.
  4. A patient's general dissatisfaction with the appointment

Explanation

Negligence requires a duty, a breach of the applicable standard of care, causation, and damages. Dissatisfaction, billing mistakes, and workplace conflict do not establish the required elements of a malpractice claim.

Question 47Dental Hygienist

A hygienist is deposed in a case involving a former patient. Which approach best protects both the patient and the hygienist?

  1. Alter the chart to clarify ambiguous entries before the deposition
  2. Discuss the case details with the patient beforehand
  3. Answer questions truthfully based on the documented record and avoid speculation Correct answer.
  4. Provide opinions about care the hygienist did not observe

Explanation

Testimony should be truthful and grounded in the contemporaneous record, with speculation avoided. Altering records or discussing the case improperly can create legal exposure and undermine credibility.

Question 48Dental Hygienist

Which practice best complies with OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogens Standard in a dental office?

  1. Reviewing the exposure control plan only after an incident
  2. Providing hepatitis B vaccination, PPE, and exposure control training to at-risk employees Correct answer.
  3. Requiring employees to purchase their own gloves
  4. Allowing sharps to be recapped with two hands when busy

Explanation

The standard requires the employer to offer hepatitis B vaccination, supply personal protective equipment at no cost, train employees, and maintain an exposure control plan. Recapping with two hands and charging staff for PPE violate the standard.

Question 49Dental Hygienist

A patient refuses a recommended periodontal referral and wants only a routine prophylaxis. What is the hygienist's best legal and ethical response?

  1. Terminate the patient immediately without notice
  2. Document the recommendation and refusal, provide care within the accepted plan, and continue to encourage referral Correct answer.
  3. Perform the referral against the patient's wishes
  4. Perform the prophylaxis and record that no disease was present

Explanation

Competent adults may refuse recommended care, and the clinician's obligation is to inform, document the refusal, provide appropriate care within the agreed plan, and continue to encourage needed treatment. Misrepresenting findings or acting without consent is improper.

Question 50Dental Hygienist

Which statement correctly describes the role of a dental assistant in expanded functions under Nebraska law?

  1. An assistant may independently diagnose periodontal disease
  2. An assistant may practice hygiene if the dentist is on vacation
  3. An assistant may perform any procedure a hygienist delegates
  4. An assistant may perform only delegated functions the board authorizes and for which the assistant is trained Correct answer.

Explanation

Expanded functions for assistants are limited to those the board specifically authorizes and for which the individual has documented training. Assistants cannot diagnose or assume hygiene duties, and delegation cannot exceed statutory limits.