Registered Dental Hygienist in Alternative Practice (RDHAP) Law and Ethics Practice Exam

When is an act not considered "isolation"?

1. When it prevents the elder from making choices

2. When it is performed under a physician's instructions

3. When the elder prefers to be alone

4. When it occurs in a public setting

The correct answer is: When it is performed under a physician's instructions

An act is not considered "isolation" when it is performed under a physician's instructions because, in this context, the intervention is typically viewed as part of a medical or therapeutic approach aimed at protecting the health and well-being of the elder. Healthcare professionals may recommend isolation for specific health reasons, such as protecting an individual from contagious diseases or managing certain medical conditions. Thus, when isolation is guided by a physician, it indicates that the decision is based on clinical judgment and is intended for the person's benefit rather than to restrict their autonomy unjustly. In contrast, acts that prevent an elder from making choices or that arise from the elder's preference to be alone typically involve considerations of autonomy and personal agency. If an elder chooses solitude, that decision should be respected. Similarly, actions taken in a public setting may not constitute isolation because they do not inherently involve separating the individual from others. The key aspect that distinguishes physician-directed actions from isolation is the intention behind the intervention, which focuses on health and safety rather than control or restriction of freedom.