Chapter 3 Flashcards
A basic principle of emergency case is to first: ____________________.
Do no harm / do no further harm.
A health care provider usually avoids legal exposure if he or she acts: ________________ and __________________________________.
In good faith & According to an appropriate standard of care
____________ is permission to render care.
Consent
A person must give _______________ for treatment.
Consent
T/F: If the patient is conscious and rational, he or she has the legal right to refuse care.
True
What are two things necessary for a patient to give consent?
1.) The patient can understand the information provided.
2.) The patient can make an informed choice regarding medical care
T/F: Patient autonomy is when the patient is automatically denied care.
False: Autonomy is the right of the patient to make decisions about their health.
________________ is when the patient acknowledges he or she wants you to provide care or transport
Expressed Consent
T/F: In order for expressed consent to be valid, the patient must provide informed consent.
True
What three things must be discussed in an informed consent between the medical professional and the patient?
1.) What the treatment option is
2.) Risks of treatment
3.) Benefits of treatment
_______________ applies to patients who are unconscious or otherwise incapable of making an informed decision.
Implied Consent
T/F: Implied consent should always be used on patients, even for minor cases.
False; implied consent is ONLY used if there is a threat to life or limb.
The principle of implied consent is known as the ____________________.
Emergency Doctrine
If you (as an EMT) cannot retrieve informed consent from the patient, try to get consent from : _______________ or ________________.
Spouse or Relative
_____________________ applies to patients who are mentally ill, in behavioral crisis or developmentally delayed. In these cases, you have to obtain consent from a guardian or conservator.
Involuntary Consent
T/F: Involuntary consent is always possible and easy to obtain.
False; not always possible, so understand local provisions regarding this
Who gives consent for minors?
A parent or legal guardian may give consent.
In some states a minor can give consent if they are _________________.
Emancipated
If a true emergency exists for a minor patient and no consent is available how do you respond?
Treat the patient because consent is implied in this scenario
_________________ is sometimes necessary with a combative patient.
Forcible Restraint
T/F: Once applied do not remove restraints en route unless they pose a risk to the patient.
True
T/F: In the case of an extremely combative patient, you may consider calling ALS for backup to provide a chemical pharmacological restraint?
True
Do conscious, alert adults with decision making capacity have the right to refuse treatment?
Yes
Do conscious, alert adults with decision making capacity have the right to withdraw from treatment at any time, even if the result is death or serious injury?
Yes
T/F: Calls involving refusal are frequently litigated.
True
T/F: If a patient denies care, you do not have to document the consult.
False, always document and involve online medical control as well
What are a few ways you can assess the patient’s ability to make an informed decision?
1.) Ask and repeat questions
2.) Assess the patient’s answers
3.) Observe the patient’s behavior
T/F: If the patient appears confused or delusional, you cannot assume that the decision to refuse care is an informed refusal.
True
Which is a more defensible position legally: providing treatment or failing to treat a patient?
Failing to treat a patient.
T/F: You should always use the assistance of law enforcement, when you can, with unruly patients and do not endanger yourself unnecessarily.
True
Which of the following is correct before you leave a scene where a patient, parent or caregiver has refused care? (Select all that apply)
A.) Encourage the individual again to allow care.
B.) Ask the individual to sign a refusal of care form.
C.) Having a witness present will guarantee that the patient changes their mind, which makes them valuable.
D.) Document all refusals.
A, B and D are correct.
C is incorrect, witnesses are valuable to defend you against litigation but they are not guaranteed to change a patient’s mind about care.
Which of the following is not an example of confidential patient info?
A.) Patient history
B.) Assessment Findings
C.) Treatment Provided
D.) Name of emergency medical technician on the scene
D
What are the three times it is acceptable to disclose patient information?
1.) The patient signs a release
2.) A legal subpoena is presented
3.) It is needed for billing personnel
This act contains a section on patient privacy, strengthens privacy laws, safeguards patient confidentiality and considers info to be protected health information (PHI): ___________.
HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1966)
T/F: Failure to abide by the provisions of HIPAA laws can result in civil action but will never result in criminal action.
False, Failure to abide by HIPAA often results in civil and/or criminal action.
T/F: The general public is not permitted by law to record identifying and protected patient info and images.
False, the general public is permitted to do so. They are held to different standards that medical professionals such as EMTs.
T/F: While on social media, it is smart to avoid posting agency logos, uniforms, vehicles or other markings associated with your agency while off duty.
True
T/F: You only need to conduct yourself professionally when you’re on duty.
False, you need to conduct yourself in a professional manner at all times as you are representing your agency on and off duty.
T/F: Free speech means that everyone has a right to say anything under any circumstances and without repercussions.
False, there are limitations to this.
___________ specifies treatment should the patient become unconscious or unable to make decisions.
Advanced Directive
A ___________ order is an advance directive that gives permission not to resuscitate.
DNR (Do not resuscitate)
What are two other names for advance directives?
1.) Living will
2.) Health Care Directive
DNR orders must meet which of the following requirements? (Select all that apply)
A.) Statement of the patient’s medical problems
B.) Signature of the patient or legal guardian
C.) Signature of the physician or health care provider
D.) Not expired
All of the Above
These two types of orders for life sustaining treatment explicitly describe acceptable interventions for the patient, must be signed by an authorized medical provider and if needed guidance can be given if medical control is contacted: ____________ & ___________.
POLST (Physician orders for life-sustaining treatment)
&
MOLST (Medical orders for life-sustaining treatment)
T/F: Some patients may have named surrogates to make decisions for them.
True
What is the named surrogate(s) to make decisions for patients?
Durable powers of attorney for health care
AKA -
Health care proxies