Chapter 3 Keyterms

Question 0

advance directive

Answer 0

written documents that detail the patient’s wishes regarding health care decisions; consists of the living will and the durable power of attorney

Question 1

adult

Answer 1

someone who is 18 years of age or older

Question 2

agent

Answer 2

someone who has the authority to represent another person

Question 3

assault

Answer 3

any threatened or implied act, whether carried out or not

Question 4

autonomy

Answer 4

self-determination

Question 5

battery

Answer 5

unauthorized touching of another person

Question 6

breach of contract

Answer 6

when one of the parties in a contract fails to fulfill its part of the agreement

Question 7

code of ethics

Answer 7

principles created by professional organizations to serve as a guide for the conduct of health care professionals in that occupation

Question 8

confidentiality

Answer 8

preserving the legal right of a patient to privacy concerning his or her medical affairs

Question 9

consent

Answer 9

to give permission; permission that is given

Question 10

contract

Answer 10

promise that is enforceable by law

Question 11

damages

Answer 11

money to compensate for an injury or loss

Question 12

defamation of character

Answer 12

a legal charge for disclosing unauthorized information that could harm the reputation of another

Question 13

designation of health care surrogate

Answer 13

a legally recognized document in which individuals designate specific people act on their behalf if they become unable make health care decisions for themselves

Question 14

discreet

Answer 14

being careful about what you say, preserving confidences, and respecting privacy

Question 15

emancipated minor

Answer 15

someone under the age of 18 who is financially independent, married, or in the military

Question 16

ethical dilemma

Answer 16

when the underlying principles of an ethical system appear to contradict each other and no clear answer emerges

Question 17

ethics

Answer 17

a system of principles (fundamental truths) a society develops to guide decision making about what is right and wrong; it helps people deal with difficult complex problems that lack easy answers

Question 18

euthanasia

Answer 18

performing a deliberate action that results in a painless, easy death for individuals with an incurable disease; same as mercy killing

Question 19

express consent

Answer 19

permission that is given in writing

Question 20

express contract

Answer 20

result of the parties in a contract discussing and agreeing on specific terms and conditions

Question 21

false imprisonment

Answer 21

a legal claim that patients can charge if they are held against their will, unless they are mentally incompetent or a danger to themselves or others

Question 22

fraud

Answer 22

a form of dishonesty that involves cheating or trickery

Question 23

implied consent

Answer 23

permission for procedures indicated by the patient’s actions; for example, showing up for a medical appointment

Question 24

informed consent

Answer 24

permission given for a procedure to be performed after it and any possible consequences have been explained

Question 25

implied contract

Answer 25

when the actions of the parties create a contract without it being detailed in a written format

Question 26

invasive procedures

Answer 26

punctures or incisions of the skin or insertion of instruments or foreign material into the body

Question 27

justice

Answer 27

fairness

Question 28

legislation

Answer 28

laws

Question 29

libel

Answer 29

a legal charge for defamation of character (damaging someone’s reputation) committed in a written form

Question 30

living will

Answer 30

the part of an advance directive that outlines the individual’s wishes regarding the type and extent of meical care to be given

Question 31

malpractice

Answer 31

professional negligence

Question 32

mercy killing

Answer 32

performing a deliberate action that results in a painless, easy death for individuals with an incurable disease; same as euthanasia

Question 33

negligence

Answer 33

failure to meet the standard of care that an be reasonably expected from a person with certain training and experiences

Question 34

principles

Answer 34

fundamental truths

Question 35

protocols

Answer 35

standard methods of performing tasks

Question 36

respondeat superior

Answer 36

legal doctrine that makes an employer responsible for the behavior and actions of his or her employees

Question 37

slander

Answer 37

a legal charge for defamation of character (damaging someone’ reputation) committed in a spoken form

Question 38

stem cell

Answer 38

a cell from which other types of cells can develop

Question 39

values

Answer 39

beliefs, ideal, and standards that provide the foundation for making decisions and guiding behavior