Chapter 3-Medical/Legal/Ethical Issues Flashcards
Algor Mortis
Cooling of the body after death until it matches the ambient temperature.
Dependent Lividity
Blood settling to the lowest point of the body, causing discoloration of the skin.
Libel
False and damaging information about a person that is communicated in writing.
Patient Autonomy
The right of the patient to make informed choices regarding their health care.
Putrefacation
Decomposition of body tissues. 40-96hrs after death.
Res Ipsa Loquitur
When EMT held liable even when the plaintiff is unable to clearly demonstrate how an injury occurred.
Rigor Mortis
Stiffening of the body muscles. 2-12hrs after death.
Slander
False and damaging information about a person that is communicated by spoken word.
Defamation
Communication of false information about a person that is damaging.
Torts
Wrongful acts that give rise to a civil lawsuit.
Applied Ethics
The manner in which principles of ethics are incorporated into professional conduct.
Bioethics
The study of ethics related to issues that arise in healthcare.
Emergency Doctrine
The principle of law that permits implied consent.
False Imprisonment
The confinement of a person without legal authority or their consent. (Civil)
Kidnapping
The seizing, confining, abducting or carrying away a person by force. Including transporting a competent adult without consent. (Criminal)
Proximate Causation
When a person who has a duty abuses it and causes harm to another individual.
Compensatory Damages
Damages awarded in a civil lawsuit that are intended to restore the plaintiff to the same condition that they were in prior to the incident.
Punitive Damages
Damages that are sometimes awarded in a civil lawsuit when the conduct of the defendant was intentional or constituted a reckless disregard for the safety of the public.
Advanced DIrective
Written documentation of medical treatment accepted if they become unable to make decisions. Also called a living will or health care directive.
Health Care Proxy
A type of advanced directive that appoints another person to make medical treatments on their behalf if unable to themselves. Also called a durable power of attorney.
