CRIS Practice 2nd Part UPDATED
ACTUAL Questions and CORRECT
Answers
Jane's aunt passed away and Jane wants to get a copy of her aunt's death summary. She fills out
an authorization form and shows legal proof that she is a beneficiary. Her aunt was married and
there is a surviving spouse. Why or why not is she entitled to get a copy of the death summary? -
CORRECT ANSWER - Being a beneficiary does not provide access to a decease patient's
records. The best practice would be to have the surviving spouse sign an authorization form
allowing Jane to receive copies of the medical record.
John is the middle child of three siblings. His mother is the widow of his deceased father. John
would like to get a copy of his father's medical record and has filled out an authorization form.
Why or why not is he entitled to get a copy of his father's records? - CORRECT
ANSWER - John is not entitled to receive copies of his father's medical record. The
mother would need to provide proof of identity and sign an authorization form in order for John
to receive copies of his father's medical record. Also, the scenario does not state how old John is
and he may be a minor. However, if John is an adult and resides in a state whereby state law
allows access to the records of a deceased patient by the children of the deceased, he would
indeed be allowed access
A patient requests a copy of their medical records for an ER visit that transpired last month. She
fills out an authorization form and shows you a picture ID. You pull the ER record and check the
patient's signature on the conditions of admission (COA) only to find out that the signatures are
the same name, but the handwriting does not match. Why or why not would you release the
records to the patient? - CORRECT ANSWER - The information should not be released
since this may be a case of identity theft. The appropriate departments should be informed, and a
red flag should be placed on the file. The facility should then investigate the medical record
further. If you have knowledge that an authorization is invalid, it should not be relied upon.
Law enforcement request a copy of a patient's medical record and has a signed authorization
from the patient. The police tell you that it is for identity theft. Why or why not can you release
the records to them? - CORRECT ANSWER - The records should not be disclosed to law
enforcement under these circumstances. With there being identity theft involved, the records may
not be those of the person that signed the authorization form. It would be best to obtain a court
order before releasing the medical records.
,You receive an authorization that is signed by the patient, but it was not dated. Why or why not
is this authorization valid and would you or would you not honor the authorization? - CORRECT
ANSWER - The authorization should not be honored. Date is a required element of a valid
authorization.
You receive an authorization from the mother of a 12 year old son. She is requesting a copy of
his medical records where he was seen for a sexually transmitted disease in which he signed for
his own care. Why or why not is she entitled to receive a copy? - CORRECT ANSWER -
Depending on what state this took place in, the minor would also have to sign the authorization
form for the mother to receive a copy of the medical record. When dealing with sensitive
information such as sexually transmitted diseases, some states allow minors aged 12 and older to
authorize the release of records; other states start at age 13 or 14.
A 17 year old girl was seen at an abortion clinic where she had an abortion. Later the next day
she develops complications and goes to the emergency room to seek further care. Her mother
requests copies of her medical records. Since the patient is still a minor, Mom signs the release
form. Why or why not is mom entitled to these records? - CORRECT ANSWER - The
mom is not entitled to receive copies of the medical records. Some states have specific laws that
protect minors seeking abortions. The minor would need to sign the authorization form in order
for the mother to be able to access the records.
The police request a copy of a patient's medical record who was involved in a traffic collision.
The patient has given consent to the police for these records. The medical report shows that the
patient had been drinking. Why or why not are these records protected? - CORRECT
ANSWER - Yes, the records may be released, since the patient gave consent to release the
records to the police.
A patient presents to the HIM Department requesting information about a recent biopsy. The
patient says he wants to know details about the procedure and specifics regarding the specimen
removed. The patient should be advised to request a copy of the? - CORRECT ANSWER -
Operative and Pathology Report
Some attorneys send a courtesy deposition letter prior to issuing a subpoena. Can you disclose
information without patient authorization if you have the deposition letter prior to receiving the
subpoena? - CORRECT ANSWER - NO
, If a patient completes an authorization form, can they simply put "at the request of the patient" as
a disclosure purpose? - CORRECT ANSWER - YES
With a court order (signed by a judge), is an authorization signed by the patient or personal
representative generally required? - CORRECT ANSWER - NO
The PRO or QIO (Peer Review Organization or Quality Improvement Organization) who is
contracted with CMS (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services) requests copies of medical
records. Are they allowed to receive copies without authorization for a patient with
schizophrenia (mental health condition? - CORRECT ANSWER - YES
What is the difference between a request and a patient's authorization? - CORRECT
ANSWER - The request is in writing and asks that records be disclosed; the authorization
is the patient's written permission to do so
If there is a breach of health information, which of the following enforcement legal actions may
be taken? - CORRECT ANSWER - Civil Action and Criminal Action
Dr. Grant and Dr. Palmer work at the same hospital. Dr. Grant is the only physician treating Dr.
Palmer's son, Jerry, who is 18 years old and able to sign for himself. Dr. Palmer fills out an
authorization form and asks to review his son's records. He is a well-known physician at the
hospital. Does he have a right to access the medical record without an authorization signed by
Jerry, the patient? - CORRECT ANSWER - NO
A woman calls to tell you she has received a bill for outpatient services (she has already spoken
to the billing department) but was never a patient at the facility. She suspects someone has
fraudulently used her name and insurance information. She requests a copy of the record "out of
curiosity." You should tell her? - CORRECT ANSWER - You will speak to the
appropriate manager about correcting the situation so that the record does not appear under her
name, but you cannot release health information related to another person without the consent of
the patient
ACTUAL Questions and CORRECT
Answers
Jane's aunt passed away and Jane wants to get a copy of her aunt's death summary. She fills out
an authorization form and shows legal proof that she is a beneficiary. Her aunt was married and
there is a surviving spouse. Why or why not is she entitled to get a copy of the death summary? -
CORRECT ANSWER - Being a beneficiary does not provide access to a decease patient's
records. The best practice would be to have the surviving spouse sign an authorization form
allowing Jane to receive copies of the medical record.
John is the middle child of three siblings. His mother is the widow of his deceased father. John
would like to get a copy of his father's medical record and has filled out an authorization form.
Why or why not is he entitled to get a copy of his father's records? - CORRECT
ANSWER - John is not entitled to receive copies of his father's medical record. The
mother would need to provide proof of identity and sign an authorization form in order for John
to receive copies of his father's medical record. Also, the scenario does not state how old John is
and he may be a minor. However, if John is an adult and resides in a state whereby state law
allows access to the records of a deceased patient by the children of the deceased, he would
indeed be allowed access
A patient requests a copy of their medical records for an ER visit that transpired last month. She
fills out an authorization form and shows you a picture ID. You pull the ER record and check the
patient's signature on the conditions of admission (COA) only to find out that the signatures are
the same name, but the handwriting does not match. Why or why not would you release the
records to the patient? - CORRECT ANSWER - The information should not be released
since this may be a case of identity theft. The appropriate departments should be informed, and a
red flag should be placed on the file. The facility should then investigate the medical record
further. If you have knowledge that an authorization is invalid, it should not be relied upon.
Law enforcement request a copy of a patient's medical record and has a signed authorization
from the patient. The police tell you that it is for identity theft. Why or why not can you release
the records to them? - CORRECT ANSWER - The records should not be disclosed to law
enforcement under these circumstances. With there being identity theft involved, the records may
not be those of the person that signed the authorization form. It would be best to obtain a court
order before releasing the medical records.
,You receive an authorization that is signed by the patient, but it was not dated. Why or why not
is this authorization valid and would you or would you not honor the authorization? - CORRECT
ANSWER - The authorization should not be honored. Date is a required element of a valid
authorization.
You receive an authorization from the mother of a 12 year old son. She is requesting a copy of
his medical records where he was seen for a sexually transmitted disease in which he signed for
his own care. Why or why not is she entitled to receive a copy? - CORRECT ANSWER -
Depending on what state this took place in, the minor would also have to sign the authorization
form for the mother to receive a copy of the medical record. When dealing with sensitive
information such as sexually transmitted diseases, some states allow minors aged 12 and older to
authorize the release of records; other states start at age 13 or 14.
A 17 year old girl was seen at an abortion clinic where she had an abortion. Later the next day
she develops complications and goes to the emergency room to seek further care. Her mother
requests copies of her medical records. Since the patient is still a minor, Mom signs the release
form. Why or why not is mom entitled to these records? - CORRECT ANSWER - The
mom is not entitled to receive copies of the medical records. Some states have specific laws that
protect minors seeking abortions. The minor would need to sign the authorization form in order
for the mother to be able to access the records.
The police request a copy of a patient's medical record who was involved in a traffic collision.
The patient has given consent to the police for these records. The medical report shows that the
patient had been drinking. Why or why not are these records protected? - CORRECT
ANSWER - Yes, the records may be released, since the patient gave consent to release the
records to the police.
A patient presents to the HIM Department requesting information about a recent biopsy. The
patient says he wants to know details about the procedure and specifics regarding the specimen
removed. The patient should be advised to request a copy of the? - CORRECT ANSWER -
Operative and Pathology Report
Some attorneys send a courtesy deposition letter prior to issuing a subpoena. Can you disclose
information without patient authorization if you have the deposition letter prior to receiving the
subpoena? - CORRECT ANSWER - NO
, If a patient completes an authorization form, can they simply put "at the request of the patient" as
a disclosure purpose? - CORRECT ANSWER - YES
With a court order (signed by a judge), is an authorization signed by the patient or personal
representative generally required? - CORRECT ANSWER - NO
The PRO or QIO (Peer Review Organization or Quality Improvement Organization) who is
contracted with CMS (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services) requests copies of medical
records. Are they allowed to receive copies without authorization for a patient with
schizophrenia (mental health condition? - CORRECT ANSWER - YES
What is the difference between a request and a patient's authorization? - CORRECT
ANSWER - The request is in writing and asks that records be disclosed; the authorization
is the patient's written permission to do so
If there is a breach of health information, which of the following enforcement legal actions may
be taken? - CORRECT ANSWER - Civil Action and Criminal Action
Dr. Grant and Dr. Palmer work at the same hospital. Dr. Grant is the only physician treating Dr.
Palmer's son, Jerry, who is 18 years old and able to sign for himself. Dr. Palmer fills out an
authorization form and asks to review his son's records. He is a well-known physician at the
hospital. Does he have a right to access the medical record without an authorization signed by
Jerry, the patient? - CORRECT ANSWER - NO
A woman calls to tell you she has received a bill for outpatient services (she has already spoken
to the billing department) but was never a patient at the facility. She suspects someone has
fraudulently used her name and insurance information. She requests a copy of the record "out of
curiosity." You should tell her? - CORRECT ANSWER - You will speak to the
appropriate manager about correcting the situation so that the record does not appear under her
name, but you cannot release health information related to another person without the consent of
the patient
