Chapter 4 Medical/Legal Glossary

Question 0

Advance Directive

Answer 0

A DNR order; instructions written in advance of a event

Question 1

Abandonment

Answer 1

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

Question 2

Assault

Answer 2

Placing a person in fear of bodily harm

Question 3

Battery

Answer 3

Causing bodily harm to or restraining a person

Question 4

Confidentiality

Answer 4

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

Question 5

Consent

Answer 5

Permission from the patient for care or other action by EMT

Question 6

Crime Scene

Answer 6

The location where a crime has been committed or any place that evidence relating to the crime may be found

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

Ethical

Answer 9

Regarding a social system or social or professional expectations for applying principles of right and wrong

Question 10

Expressed consent

Answer 10

Consent given by adults who are of legal age and mentally competent to make a rational decision in regard to their medical well-being

Question 11

Good Samaritan Laws

Answer 11

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

Question 12

HIPAA

Answer 12

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

Question 13

Implied Consent

Answer 13

The consent it is presumed a patient or patient’s parent or guardian would give if they could , such as for a unconscious patient or parent who could not be contacted when care is needed

Question 14

In loco parentis

Answer 14

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 15

Liability

Answer 15

Being held legally responsible

Question 16

Moral

Answer 16

Regarding personal standards or principles of right and wrong

Question 17

Negligence

Answer 17

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

Question 18

Organ Donor

Answer 18

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

Question 19

res ipsa loquitur

Answer 19

A Latin term meaning “ the thing speaks for itself”

Question 20

Safe Haven Law

Answer 20

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

Question 21

scope of practice

Answer 21

A set of regulations and ethical considerations that define the scope, or extent of the limits, of the EMT Job.

Question 22

Slander

Answer 22

False or injurious information stated verbally

Question 23

Standard Of Care

Answer 23

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

Question 24

Tort

Answer 24

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