Chapter 3 - Medical, Legal, and Ethical Issues Flashcards
As an EMT, the standards of emergency care are often partially based on:
Select one:
A. Patient care cannot be discredited based on poor documentation.
B. EMTs are not liable for any actions that are accurately documented.
C. It is difficult to prove actions were performed if they are not included in the report.
D. Incomplete reports are common and accepted in EMS.
C. It is difficult to prove actions were performed if they are not included in the report.
During your monthly internal quality improvement (QI) meeting, you review several patient care reports (PCRs) with the staff of your EMS system. You identify the patient’s name, age, and sex, and then discuss the treatment that was provided by the EMTs in the field. By taking this approach to the QI process, you:
Select one:
A. violated the patient’s privacy because you should have discussed the information only with the EMTs involved.
B. acted appropriately but must have each EMT sign a waiver stating that he or she will not discuss the cases with others.
C. adequately safeguarded the patient’s PHI because the cases were discussed internally.
D. are in violation of HIPAA because you did not remove the PHI from the PCR beforehand.
D. are in violation of HIPAA because you did not remove the PHI from the PCR beforehand.
In which of the following circumstances can the EMT legally release confidential patient information?
Select one:
A. The family requests a copy for insurance purposes
B. The patient is competent and signs a release form
C. A media representative inquires about the patient
D. A police officer requests a copy to place on file
B. The patient is competent and signs a release form
In which of the following situations does a legal duty to act clearly exist?
Select one:
A. The EMT hears of a cardiac arrest after his or her shift ends.
B. A call is received 15 minutes prior to shift change.
C. A bystander encounters a victim who is not breathing.
D. The EMT witnesses a vehicle crash while off duty.
B. A call is received 15 minutes prior to shift change.
Maintaining the chain of evidence at the scene of a crime should include:
Select one:
A. quickly moving any weapons out of the patient’s sight.
B. making brief notes at the scene and then completing them later.
C. not cutting through holes in clothing that were caused by weapons.
D. placing the patient in a private area until the police arrive.
C. not cutting through holes in clothing that were caused by weapons.
Putrefaction is defined as:
Select one:
A. decomposition of the body’s tissues.
B. blood settling to the lowest point of the body.
C. separation of the torso from the rest of the body.
D. profound cyanosis to the trunk and face.
A. decomposition of the body’s tissues.
The EMT’s scope of practice within his or her local response area is defined by the:
Select one:
A. medical director.
B. state EMS office.
C. local health district.
D. EMS supervisor.
A. medical director.
To help protect patients, EMS agencies are required to have __________.
Select one:
A. public forums with their medical director
B. online access to patient records
C. a privacy officer to answer questions
D. an anonymous reporting system
C. a privacy officer to answer questions
When is forcible restraint permitted?
Select one:
A. Only if consent to restrain is given by a family member
B. When the patient poses a significant threat to self or others
C. Anytime that the EMT feels threatened
D. Only if law enforcement personnel have witnessed threatening behavior
B. When the patient poses a significant threat to self or others
When performing his or her duties, the EMT is generally expected to:
Select one:
A. exercise reasonable care and act prudently.
B. consistently exceeds the standard of care.
C. function above his or her scope of practice.
D. contact medical control on every EMS call.
A. exercise reasonable care and act prudently.
Where would you MOST likely find information regarding a patient’s wishes to be an organ donor?
Select one:
A. Social Security card
B. Voter registration card
C. Insurance card
D. Driver’s license
D. Driver’s license
Which aspect of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) MOST affects EMS personnel?
Select one:
A. Protecting patient privacy
B. Ensuring access to insurance
C. Controlling insurance costs
D. Preventing insurance fraud
A. Protecting patient privacy
Which of the following components are needed to prove negligence?
Select one:
A. Duty to act, abandonment, breach of duty, and causation
B. Duty to act, breach of duty, injury/damages, and causation
C. Abandonment, breach of duty, damages, and causation
D. Breach of duty, injury/damages, abandonment, and causation
B. Duty to act, breach of duty, injury/damages, and causation
Which of the following general statements regarding consent is correct?
Select one:
A. Expressed consent is valid only if given in writing by a family member.
B. A patient can consent to transport but can legally refuse to be treated.
C. Patients who are intoxicated are generally allowed to refuse treatment.
D. All patients older than 18 years can legally refuse treatment or transport.
B. A patient can consent to transport but can legally refuse to be treated.
Which of the following statements about the patient care report is correct?
Select one:
a. It is difficult to prove actions were performed if they are not included in the report.
b. EMTs are not liable for any actions that are accurately documented.
c. Incomplete reports are common and accepted in EMS.
d. Patient care cannot be discredited based on poor documentation.
a. It is difficult to prove actions were performed if they are not included in the report.
