Chapter 3 - Medical, Legal, and Ethical Issues | Vital Vocabulary

Question 1

Unilateral termination of care by the EMT without the patient’s consent and without making provisions for transferring care to another medical professional with the skills and training necessary to meet the needs of the patient.

Answer 1

abandonment

Question 2

Written documentation that specifies medical treatment for a competent patient should the patient become unable to make decisions; also called a living will or health care directive.

Answer 2

advance directive.

Question 3

The manner in which principles of ethics are incorporated into professional conduct.

Answer 3

applied ethics

Question 4

Unlawfully placing a patient in fear of bodily harm.

Answer 4

assault

Question 5

Touching a patient or providing emergency care without consent.

Answer 5

battery

Question 6

The study of ethics related to issues that arise in health care.

Answer 6

bioethics

Question 7

Disclosure of information without proper authorization.

Answer 7

breach of confidentiality

Question 8

A process in which a person, an institution, or a program is evaluated and recognized as meeting certain predetermined standards to provide safe and ethical care.

Answer 8

certification

Question 9

Damages awarded in a civil suit that are intended to restore the plaintiff to the same condition that he or she was in prior to the incident complained about in the lawsuit.

Answer 9

compensatory damages

Question 10

Able to make rational decisions about personal well-being.

Answer 10

competent

Question 11

Permission to render care.

Answer 11

consent

Question 12

A legal defense tat may be raised when the defendant feels that the conduct of the plaintiff somehow contributed to any injuries or damages that were sustained by the plaintiff.

Answer 12

contributary negligence

Question 13

Ability to understand and process information and make a choice regarding appropriate medical care.

Answer 13

decision making capacity

Question 14

The communication of false information about a person that is damaging to that person’s reputation or standing in the community.

Answer 14

defamation

Question 15

Blood settling to the lowest point of the body, causing discoloration of the skin.

Answer 15

dependent lividity

Question 16

Oral questions asked or parties and witnesses under oath.

Answer 16

depositions

Question 17

The phase of a civil suit where the plaintiff and defense obtain information from each other that will enable the attorneys to have a better understanding of the case and which will assist in negotiating a possible settlement or in preparing for trial. Discovery includes depositions, interrogatories, and demands for production of records.

Answer 17

discovery

Question 18

Written documentation by a physician giving permission to medical personnel to not attempt resuscitation in the event of cardiac arrest.

Answer 18

do not resuscitate ( DNR ) orders

Question 19

A type of advance directive executed by a competent adult that appoints another individual to make medical treatment decisions on his or her behalf in the event that the person making the appointment loses decision making capacity.

Answer 19

durable power of attorney for health care

Question 20

A medicolwegal term relating to certain personnel who either by statute or by function have a responsibility to provide care.

Answer 20

duty to act

Question 21

A person who is under the legal age in a given state but, because of other circumstances, is legally considered an adult.

Answer 21

emancipated minors

Question 22

A serious situation, such as injury or illness, that threatens the life or welfare of a person or group of people and requires immediate intervention.

Answer 22

emergency

Question 23

The principle of law that permits a health care provider to treat a patient in an emergency situation when the patient is incapable of granting consent because of an altered level of consciousness, disability, the effects of drugs or alcohol, or the patient’s age.

Answer 23

emergency doctrine

Question 24

Immediate care or treatment.

Answer 24

emergency medical care

Question 25

The philosophy of right and wrong, of moral duties, and of ideal professional behavior.

Answer 25

ethics

Question 26

A type of consent in which a patient gives express authorization for provision of care or transport.

Answer 26

expressed consent

Question 27

The confinement of a person without legal authority or the person’s consent.

Answer 27

false imprisonment

Question 28

The act of physically preventing an individual from initiating and physical action.

Answer 28

forcible restraint

Question 29

Statutory provisions enacted by many states to protect citizens from liability for errors and omissions in giving good faith emergency medical care, unless there is wanton, gross, or willful negligence.

Answer 29

Good Samaritan Laws

Question 30

If your service is covered by immunity, it may mean that you cannot be sued or it may limit the amount of the monetary judgement that the plaintiff may recover; generally applies only to EMS services that are operated by municipalities or other governmental entities.

Answer 30

governmental immunity

Question 31

Conduct that constitutes a willful or reckless disregard for a duty or standard of care.

Answer 31

gross negligence

Question 32

A written document that specifies medical treatment for a competent patient, should he or she become unable to make decisions. Also known as an advance directive or a living will.

Answer 32

health care directive

Question 33

A type of advance directive executed by a competent adult that appoints another individual to make medical treatment decisions on his or her behalf in the event that the person making the appointment loses decision making capacity. Also known as a durable power of attorney for health care.

Answer 33

health care proxies

Question 34

Type of consent in which a patient who is unable to give consent is given treatment under the legal assumption that he or she would want treatment.

Answer 34

implied consent

Question 35

Refers to the legal responsibility of a person or organization to take on some of the functions and responsibilities of a parent.

Answer 35

in loco parentis

Question 36

Written questions that the defense and plaintiff send to one other.

Answer 36

interrogatories