CA Laws That Guide the Specifics of Clinical Practice: Assault & HIV

Question 1

The CA Penal Code (Section 11160) states that health practitioners who provide ___________________ to a person suffering from a gunshot wound (self or other inflicted) or any wound resulting from assault or abuse, are mandated to report this information. Providers of mental health services ________ mandated to report assault, unless the patient gives _________________.

Answer 1

• Penal Code
• Medical care
• Are not
• Explicit written consent

Question 2

______________ or ____________________ includes murder, manslaughter, mayhem, battery, sexual battery, sexual battery, assault with a stun gun, assault with a deadly weapon, throwing a caustic chemical with intent to injure or disfigure, rape, spousal rape, spousal or cohabitant abuse. It excludes injury brought about by voluntary use of a narcotic or other drug.

Answer 2

• Assault
• Abusive conduct

Question 3

The report of assault must be made to a local law enforcement agency by telephone immediately, or as soon as is practically possible, and followed up with a written report within ___ working days. The report should include (at minimum) the name of the injured person, his or her ________________, the type and ___________ of the injuries, and the identity of the person who allegedly inflicted the assault or abuse.

Answer 3

• 2
• Whereabouts
• Extent

Question 4

In cases of assault, the medical record should contain documentation of _______________________________, including any past domestic violence; it should also include a _______________________ identifying injuries and bruises at the time that medical treatment is received.

Answer 4

• Comments by the injured person about the perpetrator
• Map of the injured person’s body

Question 5

While HIV status is generally confidential, the ___________________ (Sections 121015, 121130-121140) describes situations in which __________________ may disclose HIV test results. Providers of ______________________ may never breach a patient’s confidentiality with regard to HIV status.

Answer 5

• Health and Safety Code
• Medical providers
• Mental health services

Question 6

When a health care provider has been exposed to blood or other potentially infectious material, the provider _______ request information about the patient’s HIV status. A physician ___________ disclose information to the exposed individual, or test existing samples of the patient’s blood without patient consent, but __________ attempt to obtain it first.

Answer 6

• May
• May
• Must

Question 7

A physician __________ disclose a partner’s HIV positive status to the patient’s spouse, or any other person believed to be the sexual or needle-sharing partner of the patient (after notifying and attempting to gain consent of the patient). However, the physician ___________ reveal the patient’s identity; partner’s may only be notified that ____________________.

Answer 7

• May
• May not
• They have been exposed