Chapter 4

Question 1

Abandonment

Answer 1

Leaving a patient after care has been initiated and before the patient has been transferred to someone with equal or greater medical training.

Question 2

Advance Directive

Answer 2

A DNR order; instructions written in advance of the event.

Question 3

Assault

Answer 3

Placing a person in fear of bodily harm.

Question 4

Battery

Answer 4

Causing bodily harm to or restraining a person.

Question 5

Confidentiality

Answer 5

The obligation not to reveal information obtained about a patient except to other health care professionals involved in the patient’s care, or under subpoena, or in a court of law, or when the patient has signed a release of confidentiality.

Question 6

Consent

Answer 6

Permission from the patient for care or other action by the EMT

Question 7

Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) Order

Answer 7

A legal document usually signed by the patient and his physician, which states that the patient has a terminal illness and does not wish to prolong life through resuscitative efforts.

Question 8

Duty To Act

Answer 8

An obligation to provide care to a patient.

Question 9

Good Samaritan Laws

Answer 9

A series of laws, varying in each state, designed to provide limited legal protection for citizens and some health care personnel when they are administering emergency care.

Question 10

HIPPA

Answer 10

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, a federal law protecting the privacy of patient-specific health care information and providing the patient with control over how this information is used and distributed.

Question 11

in loco parentis

Answer 11

In place of the parents, indicating a person who may give consent for care of a child when the parents are not present or able to give consent.

Question 12

Liability

Answer 12

Being held legally responsible.

Question 13

Libel

Answer 13

False or injurious information in written form.

Question 14

Negligence

Answer 14

A finding of failure to act properly in a situation in which there was a duty to act, that needed care as would reasonably be expected of the EMT was not provided, and that harm was caused to the patient as a result.

Question 15

Organ Donor

Answer 15

A person who has completed a legal document that allows for donation of organs and tissues in the event of death.

Question 16

res ipsa loquitur

Answer 16

A Latin term meaning “the thing speaks for itself”

Question 17

Safe Haven Laws

Answer 17

A law that permits a person to drop off an infant or child at a police, fire, or EMS station or to deliver the infant or child to any available public safety personnel. The intent of the law is to protect children who may otherwise be abandoned or harmed.

Question 18

Scope of Practice

Answer 18

A set of regulations and ethical considerations that define the scope or extent and limits, of the EMT’s job

Question 19

Slander

Answer 19

False or injurious information stated verbally

Question 20

Standard of Care

Answer 20

For an EMT providing care for a specific patient in a specific situation, the care that would be expected to be provided by an EMT with similar training when caring for a patient in a similar situation.

Question 21

Tort

Answer 21

A civil, not a criminal, offense: an action or injury caused by negligence from which a lawsuit may arise.