Chapter 3-Medical/Legal/Ethical Issues

Question 1

Algor Mortis

Answer 1

Cooling of the body after death until it matches the ambient temperature.

Question 2

Dependent Lividity

Answer 2

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

Question 3

Libel

Answer 3

False and damaging information about a person that is communicated in writing.

Question 4

Patient Autonomy

Answer 4

The right of the patient to make informed choices regarding their health care.

Question 5

Putrefacation

Answer 5

Decomposition of body tissues. 40-96hrs after death.

Question 6

Res Ipsa Loquitur

Answer 6

When EMT held liable even when the plaintiff is unable to clearly demonstrate how an injury occurred.

Question 7

Rigor Mortis

Answer 7

Stiffening of the body muscles. 2-12hrs after death.

Question 8

Slander

Answer 8

False and damaging information about a person that is communicated by spoken word.

Question 9

Defamation

Answer 9

Communication of false information about a person that is damaging.

Question 10

Torts

Answer 10

Wrongful acts that give rise to a civil lawsuit.

Question 11

Applied Ethics

Answer 11

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

Question 12

Bioethics

Answer 12

The study of ethics related to issues that arise in healthcare.

Question 13

Emergency Doctrine

Answer 13

The principle of law that permits implied consent.

Question 14

False Imprisonment

Answer 14

The confinement of a person without legal authority or their consent. (Civil)

Question 15

Kidnapping

Answer 15

The seizing, confining, abducting or carrying away a person by force. Including transporting a competent adult without consent. (Criminal)

Question 16

Proximate Causation

Answer 16

When a person who has a duty abuses it and causes harm to another individual.

Question 17

Compensatory Damages

Answer 17

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.

Question 18

Punitive Damages

Answer 18

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.

Question 19

Advanced DIrective

Answer 19

Written documentation of medical treatment accepted if they become unable to make decisions. Also called a living will or health care directive.

Question 20

Health Care Proxy

Answer 20

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.