Ethical and Legal Issues Flashcards
When is legal competence important?
Patient must understand the risks and benefits to make a health decision.
What is the Declaration of Sentiments?
A document that detailed women’s rights
Emancipated minors must be legally competent and…
Married, have children they care for, or in the military
When does treatment of minors not require parental consent?
Emergency situations Treatment of STDs Prescription of contraceptives Medical care during pregnancy Treatment of drug and alcohol dependence
Do most states require parental consent or notification when a minor wants/gets an abortion?
Yes
Are shadow records legal?
No!
Euthanasia is never appropriate and is criminal unless…
in a state where it is deemed legal
Can food and water be withheld form a patient who has no chance of recovery?
Yes
What are mandated reportable illnesses?
Chickenpox, syphilis, measles, mumps, TB, AIDS
Are you mandated to maintain confidentiality when an HIV-positive patient habitually puts a person at risk via unsafe sex?
No
When can you break confidentiality?
Suicidal
Homicidal
Abuser of children or elderly people
What is dereliction?
Substandard medical care
What malpractice duty?
Physician of record
What kind of legal problem is malpractice?
Tort/civil wrong (not a crime) so no jail time
Are punitive damages covered by malpractice?
No
