Chapter 2 - Law and Ethics

Question 1

AMIA

Answer 1

acronym for: American Medical Informatics Association; an organization dedicated to the development and application of health informatics

Question 2

applied ethics

Answer 2

the practical, real-life application of moral standards

Question 3

autonomy

Answer 3

in the context of the four ethical principles, it means to recognize the right of a person to make their own decisions about their health and medical care

Question 4

beneficence

Answer 4

in the context of the four ethical principles, it means goodwill towards others and the providing of services that benefit others

Question 5

bioethics

Answer 5

ethics that address the use of biological and medical technology

Question 6

Blanchard-Peale Ethics Check

Answer 6

a three-part approach to making a decision about an ethical problem; it involves asking and answering three questions:

1. Is it legal? If the answer is no, don’t do it.
2. Is it fair? If it unfairly benefits one person over the other, don’t do it.
3. How will it make me feel about myself? If you feel guilt or some other negative emotion, perhaps you should think twice.

Question 7

conflict of interest

Answer 7

a conflict between personal interests and the official responsibilities of a person in a leadership position

Question 8

deontology

Answer 8

the ethical theory that right and wrong are determined by a set of rules; also called duty-based ethics; to do your duty is to obey the rules, and that is right; wrong is not to do your duty

Question 9

ECI

Answer 9

acronym for: Ethics and Compliance Initiative; an organization that helps companies develop ethical policies

Question 10

embryonic stem cell research

Answer 10

research done on eggs fertilized through in vitro fertilization; the eggs are donated for research

Question 11

Ethical Decision-Making Model

Answer 11

a model created by the ECI; it consists of 7 steps:

1. Define the problem
2. Seek out relevant assistance, guidance, and support
3. Identify alternatives
4. Evaluate the alternatives
5. Make the decision
6. Implement the decision
7. Evaluate the decision

Question 12

four ethical principles

Answer 12

a collection of four principles that help to guide decision making in the healthcare industry; they are: autonomy, beneficence, nonmaleficence, and justice

Question 13

gene therapy

Answer 13

an experimental technique that uses genes to treat or prevent disease

Question 14

GINA

Answer 14

acronym for: Genetic Information Nondisclosure Act of 2008; a law that regulates the use and disclosure of people’s genetic information; it is primarily used to prevent discrimination based on genetic predispositions to certain diseases

Question 15

health informatics

Answer 15

a field that uses information technology to organize and analyze health records in order to improve healthcare outcomes

Question 16

hospice care

Answer 16

care provided to terminally ill patients, often done in their homes, in hospitals, or in assisted-living facilities

Question 17

in vitro fertilization

Answer 17

the act of fertilizing a woman’s eggs outside of her body

Question 18

justice

Answer 18

in the context of the four ethical principles, it means that healthcare providers should be fair in how they treat their patients; all patients deserve proper care

Question 19

medical ethics

Answer 19

a branch of applied ethics that deals specifically with healthcare

Question 20

nonmaleficence

Answer 20

an ethical principle that means that a medical provider must not intentionally harm the patient

Question 21

paternalism

Answer 21

an action that limits an individual’s freedom with the justification that it is for that individual’s own good

Question 22

professionalism

Answer 22

the standard of conduct that characterizes a profession

Question 23

right-based ethics

Answer 23

the ethical theory that people have rights, and respecting those rights is the primary ethical consideration

Question 24

utilitarianism

Answer 24

the ethical theory that the best option is that which benefits the greatest number of people

Question 25

virtue-based ethics

Answer 25

an ethical theory that says a person should seek to follow the ethical principles they personally believe in

Question 26

professional ethics

Answer 26

ethics that provide guidance about what is ethical conduct in a particular profession

Question 27

plain error

Answer 27

error that is plainly evident from the record and affects a litigant’s substantial right(s)

Question 28

litigant

Answer 28

a person who is involved in a lawsuit

someone who is suing another person or is being sued by another person

Question 29

plain error doctrine

Answer 29

In order to establish plain error, the defendant must show:

(1) an error was committed
(2) the error was “plain” which means that it was clear or obvious. Whether an error is plain or obvious is considered as of the time of review – not at the time of trial (i.e., not at the time the error was committed)
(3) the error must affect the defendant’s “substantial rights.”

Question 30

sequence of a civil trial

Answer 30

the following represents the stages of a civil trial from beginning to end:

1. Voir Dire
2. Opening Statement
3. Presentation of Plaintiff’s Case
4. Presentation of Defendant’s Case
5. Jury Instructions
6. Jury Deliberations
7. Verdict
8. Determination of Damages

Question 31

sequence of a criminal trial

Answer 31

the following represents the stages of a criminal trial from beginning to end:

1. Voir Dire
2. Opening Statements
3. Presentation of Government’s (Prosecution’s) Case
4. Presentation of Defendant’s Case
5. Jury Instructions
6. Jury Deliberations
7. Verdict
8. Sentencing

Question 32

prong

Answer 32

1. fork
2. a tine of a fork
   
   • tine = a prong or sharp point, such as that on a fork or antler
3. a slender pointed or projecting part: such as
   
   • a fang of a tooth
   • a point of an antler
4. something resembling a prong

Question 33

proximate

Answer 33

immediately preceding or following (as in a chain of events, causes, or effects)

very near

soon forthcoming (i.e. imminent)