Chapter 6: Legal and Ethical Guidelines for Safe Practice

Question 1

The study of philosophical beliefs about what is considered right or wrong in a society

Answer 1

Ethics

Question 2

Used in relation to ethical dilemmas surrounding health care

Answer 2

Bioethics

Question 3

Conflict between two or more courses of action, each with favorable and unfavorable consequences

Answer 3

Ethical dilemma

Question 4

The duty to promote good

Answer 4

Beneficence

Question 5

Respecting the rights of others to make their own decisions

Answer 5

Autonomy

Question 6

Distribute resources or care equally

Answer 6

Justice

Question 7

Maintaining loyalty and commitment; doing no wrong to a patient

Answer 7

Fidelity

Question 8

One’s duty to always communicate truthfully

Answer 8

Veracity

Question 9

The concept that pts should be allowed the least-restricting form of treatment

Answer 9

Least restrictive alternative doctrine

Question 10

Admission sought by the pt

Answer 10

Informal admission

Question 11

Sought by pt or guardian

Answer 11

Voluntary admission

Question 12

Person confused or demented. So ill he or she needs emergency admission. Started by MD, confirmed by psychiatrist.

Answer 12

Temporary admission

Question 13

Admission without the pt’s consent. “Holds.” Danger to self, danger to others, gravely disabled.

Answer 13

Involuntary admission

Question 14

Medical certification, judicial review, administrative action may be needed for this type of admission.

Answer 14

Long-term involuntary admission

Question 15

Discharge procedures

Answer 15

Conditional release- requires pt to attend outpt services
Unconditional release- pt to court, don’t need involuntary tx
Release against medical advice- voluntary, can sign out
Elopement- leave w/o telling you (technically only with involuntary pts)

Question 16

Patients’ Rights Under the Law

Answer 16

Right to treatment
Right to refuse treatment
Right to informed consent
Rights surroungind involuntary commitment and psychiatric advance directives
Rights regarding restraint and seclusion
Right to confidentiality

Question 17

Pt confidentiality

Answer 17

HIPPA
Confidentiality after death
Confidentiality of professional communications
Confidentiality and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
Exceptions to the rule: Duty to warn and protect third parties. Child and elder abuse reporting statutes.

Question 18

A civil wrong for which money damaged may be collected by the injured party (plaintiff) from the responsible party (the defendant)

Answer 18

Tort

Question 19

Willful or intentional acts that violate another person’s right or property.
Assault, battery, false imprisonment, invasion of privacy, defamation of character (slander or libel)

Answer 19

Intentional tort

Question 20

Unintended acts against another that produce injury or harm.
Negligence, malpractice

Answer 20

Unintentional tort

Question 21

Guidelines for ensuring adherence to standards of care

Answer 21

Negligence, irresponsibility or impairment

Duty to intervene and duty to report

Question 22

A record’s usefulness is determined by evaluation- when the record is read later- how accurately and completely it portrays the pt’s behavioral status at the time it was written

Answer 22

Documentation of care

Question 23

Used by the facility for quality improvement.
Used as evidence.
Electronic documentation

Answer 23

Medical records