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

The term "care custodian" includes which of the following?

1. Individuals working in retail settings

2. Employees of health facilities and agencies

3. Only government officials in charge of child services

4. Volunteers in community outreach programs

The correct answer is: Employees of health facilities and agencies

The term "care custodian" refers specifically to individuals or entities that have a direct role in the care and management of patients or clients within health care settings. Employees of health facilities and agencies are included in this definition because they are responsible for the direct care and oversight of individuals receiving health care services. This may encompass a variety of positions, including nurses, social workers, and administrative staff, all of whom are integral to maintaining patient welfare and confidentiality under healthcare regulations. In contrast, individuals working in retail settings do not typically provide care in a health-related context, nor do they have custodial responsibilities over the well-being of clients in the same way that healthcare employees do. Similarly, while government officials in child services have important roles, their designation does not broadly capture the range of individuals who are considered care custodians, particularly those outside government employment. Volunteers in community outreach programs, although they may provide support and assistance, do not have the formalized responsibilities and training that define a care custodian within a healthcare framework. Hence, the correct identification of care custodians is specific to employees within health facilities and agencies, as they are directly involved in patient care and management.