Chapter 4: Medical, Legal and Ethical Decisions

Question 1

In which of the following situations should an EMT withhold resuscitative measures from a patient in cardiac arrest?

Answer 1

The patient’s caregiver presents a DNR order signed by the patient and his physician.

Question 2

Your patient is a 45-year-old man who is suffering from chest pain. Upon arrival, the patient is pale, sweaty, and seems short of breath. The patient is angry with his daughter for calling 911 and refuses transport. He says that he had some spicy sausage for breakfast and has indigestion. Which of the following is an appropriate means of getting the patient the care he needs?

Answer 2

Try to find out why the patient does not want to go to the hospital.

Question 3

You are on the scene with a 72-year-old male patient with chest pain. The patient is complaining of shortness of breath but also refuses to go to the hospital, even after multiple attempts urging him to go. Which of the following should you do next?

Answer 3

Fully inform the patient about his situation and the implications of refusing care.

Question 4

If the EMT is in doubt as to whether a patient in cardiac arrest should be resuscitated, which of the following is the best decision?

Answer 4

Begin resuscitative measures.

Question 5

Which of the following situations best illustrates the act of abandonment by the EMT?

Answer 5

An EMT transports a patient to the emergency department, leaves the patient in the waiting room, but does not advise the ED staff.

Question 6

Which of the following refers to the set of regulations that defines the legal actions expected of and limitations placed on the EMT?

Answer 6

Scope of practice

Question 7

Which of the following has specific requirements for storing, accessing, and sharing patient information?

Answer 7

HIPPA

Question 8

You are providing care to a 54-year-old male patient complaining of chest pain. The patient asks to speak to you privately. He tells you he is taking Cialis® for erectile dysfunction and his wife does not know he is taking it. He does not want his wife to find out. As you are putting the EMS bags back in the ambulance, the wife corners you and insists that you tell her what her husband said. What should you do?

Answer 8

You should not tell her. By law, your conversation with your patient is confidential.

Question 9

While documenting a call, you add a false statement that was made about a local doctor. This could constitute which of the following?

Answer 9

Libel

Question 10

Which of the following information may be important to law enforcement officers investigating a crime scene?

Answer 10

How you gained access to the scene

Question 11

Which of the following is the EMT’s primary responsibility at a secured crime scene?

Answer 11

Providing patient care

Question 12

While treating a patient involved in a shooting at the patient’s vacation home, which of the following actions will NOT interfere with the investigation of a crime scene?

Answer 12

Wearing gloves at the scene

Question 13

Which of the following incidents might the EMT be legally required to report to law enforcement?

Answer 13

Your patient has facial and head injuries and states that her husband beat her with a telephone receiver.

Question 14

You respond to a bus accident with multiple patients. As you arrive at the scene, you are approached by a local politician who states that his wife has been involved. He tells you that if you will take care of her first, he will ensure that you get the promotion you are up for. This becomes what type of decision for you as an EMT?

Answer 14

Ethical

Question 15

The administration of oxygen and the application of spinal immobilization are part of which of the following for the EMT?

Answer 15

Scope of practice

Question 16

You are treating an elderly male patient in the back of your ambulance. En route, the patient becomes unresponsive. Upon arrival, the ED nurse asks you several questions about his condition. What should you do?

Answer 16

You should answer her questions because you may legally share the patient’s medical condition with other pertinent health care providers.

Question 17

Which of the following refers to the care that would be expected to be provided by an EMT with similar training when caring for a patient in a similar situation?

Answer 17

Standard of care

Question 18

Your patient is a 10-year-old boy who suffered a possible fractured arm while rollerblading at a friend’s house. Which of the following is the best way to obtain consent for treatment?

Answer 18

Call the patient’s mother at work.

Question 19

You respond to a middle school for a 12-year-old male patient who has been hit by a car. You get consent to treat the patient from the school principal. What concept allows the principal to speak for the parents?

Answer 19

In loco parentis

Question 20

You arrive on the scene of a 55-year-old male patient. The patient’s wife called 911 because he is having chest pains. The patient is very angry with his wife for calling 911 because he states he only has heartburn and adamantly refuses any treatment or transport. After signing the patient refusal form, the patient collapses and goes into sudden cardiac arrest. The wife is crying uncontrollably and begging you to do something. What should you do?

Answer 20

Provide emergency care under implied consent.