3 Key terms Law & Ethics

Question 1

abandonment

Answer 1

failure to continue to provide medical care to a patient without proper notification

Question 2

Act

Answer 2

a bill or measure that has become law, often referring to legislation with several parts

Question 2

advocate

Answer 2

a person who intercedes on another person’s behalf

Question 3

arbitration

Answer 3

formal process in which the parties to a dispute agree to submit to the decision of a neutral party

Question 3

autonomy

Answer 3

ability to make independent decisions without constraint or coercion from others

Question 4

assumption of risk

Answer 4

a defense to a lawsuit that establishes the plaintiff assumed the risk of whatever caused the injury

Question 4

beneficence

Answer 4

acting in the best possible way; performing good deeds

Question 5

case law

Answer 5

law established by decisions of previous court cases

Question 5

cloning

Answer 5

producing genetically identical cells or individuals artificially

Question 6

common law

Answer 6

unwritten body of law based on general custom

Question 6

DNR

Answer 6

do not resuscitate; medical order signed by physician that relieves health care personnel from the obligation to resuscitate a patient who stops breathing or whose heart stops

Question 7

contingency

Answer 7

a condition that must be met before a contract is binding

Question 7

duty

Answer 7

commitment to act in a certain way

Question 8

controlled substance

Answer 8

drug that has the potential for addiction or abuse

Question 8

etiquette

Answer 8

rules of socially acceptable behavior; manners

Question 9

defendant

Answer 9

the person or group against whom an action is brought in a court of law

Question 9

fidelity

Answer 9

faithfulness

Question 10

Drug Enforcement Agency

Answer 10

DEA; the federal agency that enforces the Controlled Substances Act of 1970

Question 10

gene therapy

Answer 10

giving patients new genes or parts of genes to treat a disease or condition

Question 11

embezzlement

Answer 11

fraudulent appropriation of funds or property of an employer or client

Question 11

genetic engineering

Answer 11

making, altering, or repairing genetic material

Question 12

felony

Answer 12

a serious crime punishable by death or imprisonment

Question 12

health care proxy

Answer 12

legal document that names an agent to make decisions about a person’s medical care if he or she becomes unable to make wishes known

Question 13

fraud

Answer 13

intentional deception resulting in injury or loss

Question 13

living will

Answer 13

legal document that specifies the kind of medical treatment a patient wants or does not want if he or she becomes incapacitated

Question 14

informed consent

Answer 14

agreement to a medical procedure based on understanding of the procedure and its possible consequences and effects

Question 14

nonmalfeasance

Answer 14

ethical concept requiring that an action do no harm, or do less harm than good

Question 15

larceny

Answer 15

stealing another person’s property or money without violence

Question 15

stem cells

Answer 15

cells that have the capacity to develop into various types of body tissue

Question 16

liability

Answer 16

legal responsibility

Question 16

right

Answer 16

a claim that is expected to be honored

Question 17

license

Answer 17

official permission to perform an activity or practice a profession

Question 17

veracity

Answer 17

truthfulness

Question 18

litigation

Answer 18

process of taking a lawsuit through the courts

Question 19

malfeasance

Answer 19

a crime or wrongdoing that is illegal or contrary to official obligation

Question 20

malpractice

Answer 20

negligence by a professionsal

Question 21

mediation

Answer 21

negotiation by a third party to help two parties resolves a dispute

Question 22

misdemeanor

Answer 22

a less serious crime, punishable by a fine or imprisonment for less than 1 year

Question 23

misfeasance

Answer 23

performing a legal act in an improper way

Question 24

negligence

Answer 24

failure to act (or refrain from action) as a reasonably prudent person would in similar circumstances

Question 25

nonfeasance

Answer 25

failing to perform an act that should have been performed

Question 26

plaintiff

Answer 26

the person or group that makes the complaint in a lawsuit

Question 27

prescription

Answer 27

an order to a pharmacist to dispense a supply of medication

Question 28

privilege

Answer 28

a special immunity that protects against legal liability

Question 29

prudent

Answer 29

using care or common sense

Question 30

respondeat superior

Answer 30

legal doctrine making an employer liable for the negligent acts of employees

Question 31

standard of care

Answer 31

level of appropriate care required of a health care provider

Question 32

statute of limitations

Answer 32

law limiting the time period for beginning a lawsuit

Question 33

statutory law

Answer 33

law enacted by a legislative body

Question 34

subpoena duces tecum

Answer 34

court order to produce documents or records

Question 35

reciprocity

Answer 35

automatic issuing of a license in one state to the holder of a license in another state

Question 36

emancipated minor

Answer 36

person under the age of 18 with the rights of an adult including the ability to consent to medical care