Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) Law and Ethics Practice Exam

What is a key practice associated with the principle of non-maleficence?

1. Referring cases to a specialist

2. Encouraging patient self-determination

3. Providing care while under the influence

4. Encouraging unethical practices

The correct answer is: Referring cases to a specialist

The principle of non-maleficence is centered around the obligation of healthcare providers to avoid causing harm to patients. Referring cases to a specialist aligns with this principle because it ensures that patients receive the most appropriate care for their specific conditions. When a dental assistant identifies that a patient requires expertise beyond their own, referring to a specialist is a responsible action that helps protect the patient's wellbeing and promotes optimal outcomes. This practice exemplifies a commitment to non-maleficence as it seeks to prevent any potential harm that could arise from providing care that is outside one's training or scope of practice. Other options involve actions that either do not prioritize patient safety or could lead to potential harm. Encouraging patient self-determination, while important, relates more closely to the principle of autonomy rather than directly to non-maleficence. Providing care while under the influence is clearly harmful and constitutes a failure to practice safely. Similarly, encouraging unethical practices directly contradicts the notion of non-maleficence, as such actions can lead to significant harm to patients.