ARRT Patient Care Practice Exam

If a radiographer performed a lumbar spine examination instead of the intended elbow examination, what charge might apply?

1. Assault

2. Battery

3. False imprisonment

4. Defamation

The correct answer is: Battery

The situation described involves a radiographer performing an examination on the wrong body part, which can lead to legal implications under specific circumstances. The charge of battery is applicable here because battery, in a legal context, refers to harmful or offensive contact with another person without their consent. In this case, even if the examination was performed without malicious intent, conducting a lumbar spine examination instead of the intended elbow examination constitutes unauthorized touching of the patient. The patient has a reasonable expectation that only the intended procedure will be performed on the designated body part. By performing the wrong examination, the radiographer has essentially violated that expectation and taken an action that could be deemed as offensive or harmful, thus fitting the definition of battery. Understanding this distinction is essential for healthcare professionals, as it highlights the importance of informed consent and adhering to correct procedural protocols when dealing with patients.