Chapter 3- Medical, Legal, & Ethical Issues

Question 1

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 manning the appointment loses decision-making capacity.

Answer 1

durable power of attorney for health care

Question 2

The act of physically preventing an individual from initiating any physical action

Answer 2

forcible restraint

Question 3

Failure to provide the same care that a person with similar training would provide.

Answer 3

negligence

Question 4

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

Answer 4

Ethics

Question 5

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 5

abandonment

Question 6

A type of advance directive executed by a competent adult that appointed 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 6

health care proxy

Question 7

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

Answer 7

do not resuscitate order (DNR)

Question 8

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

Answer 8

applied ethics

Question 9

Permission to render care

Answer 9

consent

Question 10

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

Answer 10

expressed consent

Question 11

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

Answer 11

slander

Question 12

A choice of conduct that can be defined by society, religion, or a person, affecting character, conduct, and conscience.

Answer 12

morality

Question 13

Able to make rational decisions about personal well-being.

Answer 13

competent

Question 14

Disclosure of information without proper authorization.

Answer 14

breach of confidentiality

Question 15

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

Answer 15

advance directive

Question 16

Stiffening of the body muscles; a definitive sign of death

Answer 16

rigor mortis

Question 17

Immediate care or treatment

Answer 17

emergency medical care

Question 18

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

Answer 18

bioethics

Question 19

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

Answer 19

duty to act

Question 20

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

Answer 20

emancipated minor

Question 21

Oral questions asked of parties and witnesses under oath

Answer 21

depositions

Question 22

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 22

Good Samaritan laws

Question 23

Most commonly defined by state law; outlines the care that the EMT is able to provide for the patient.

Answer 23

scope of practice

Question 24

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

Answer 24

defamation

Question 25

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

Answer 25

res ipsa loquitur

Question 26

Decomposition of body tissues; a definitive sign of death.

Answer 26

putrefaction

Question 27

Unlawfully placing a patient in fear if bodily harm.

Answer 27

assault

Question 28

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

Answer 28

gross negligence

Question 29

Blood settling to the lowest point of the body, causing discoloration of the skin; a definitive sign of death

Answer 29

dependent lividity

Question 30

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 30

emergency

Question 31

The phase of a civil lawsuit 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. This includes depositions, interrogatories, and demands for production of records.

Answer 31

discovery

Question 32

Permission for treatment given by a competent patient after the potential risks, benefits, and alternatives to treatment have been explained.

Answer 32

informed consent

Question 33

Coming off the body after death until matched the ambient temperature

Answer 33

algor mortis

Question 34

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

Answer 34

compensatory damages

Question 35

Wrongful acts that give rise to a civil lawsuit

Answer 35

torts

Question 36

When a person who has a duty abuses it, and causes harm to another individual, the EMT, the agency, and/or the medical director may be sued for negligence.

Answer 36

proximate causation

Question 37

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

Answer 37

contributory negligence

Question 38

A code of conduct that can be defined by society, religion, or a person, affecting character, conduct, and conscience.

Answer 38

morality

Question 39

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.

Answer 39

punitive damages

Question 40

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 patients age.

Answer 40

emergency doctrine

Question 41

Written questions that the defense and plaintiff sent to one another.

Answer 41

interrogatories

Question 42

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

Answer 42

defamation

Question 43

A time within which a legal case must be commenced.

Answer 43

statute of limitations

Question 44

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

Answer 44

bioethics

Question 45

Legal doctrine that can protect an EMS provider from being sued or that may limit the amount of the monetary judgement that the plaintiff may recover; generally applies only to EMS systems that are operated by municipalities or other governmental entities.

Answer 45

governmental immunity

Question 46

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

Answer 46

health care directive

Question 47

Written, accepted levels of emergency care expected by reason of training and profession; written by legal or professional organizations so that patients are not exposed to unreasonable risk of harm.

Answer 47

standard of care

Question 48

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

Answer 48

false imprisonment

Question 49

The seizing, confining, abducting, or carrying away of a person by force, including transporting a competent adult for medical treatment without his or her consent.

Answer 49

kidnapping

Question 50

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 50

implied consent

Question 51

A term relating to medical jurisprudence (law) or forensic medicine.

Answer 51

medicolegal

Question 52

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

Answer 52

libel

Question 53

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

Answer 53

algor mortis

Question 54

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

Answer 54

decision-making capacity

Question 55

A theory that may be used when the conduct of the person being sued is alleged to have occurred in clear violation of a statute.

Answer 55

negligence per se