Legal & Ethical Principles of EMS

Question 1

Failure to provide same care that a person with similar training would provide.

Answer 1

Negligence

Question 2

Termination of care without the patient’s consent

Answer 2

Abandonment

Question 3

Written documentation that specifies medical treatment, should the patient become unable to make decisions

Answer 3

Advanced Directive

Question 4

Unlawfully placing a patient in fear of bodily harm.

Answer 4

Assault

Question 5

Unlawfully touching a patient or providing care without consent.

Answer 5

Battery

Question 6

Disclosure of information without proper authorization

Answer 6

Breach of confidentiality

Question 7

Able to make rational decisions about personal well-being.

Answer 7

Competent

Question 8

Permission to render care

Answer 8

Consent

Question 9

Communication of false information about a person that is damaging to their reputation or standing in the community.

Answer 9

Defamation of character.

Question 10

Written documentation by a physician giving permission NOT to attempt resuscitation in cardiac arrest

Answer 10

DNR (Do Not Resuscitate)

Question 11

Medical personnel, who have a responsibility to provide care

Answer 11

Duty to act

Question 12

A person who is under the legal age in a given state but, because of other circumstances, is legally considered an adult.

Answer 12

Emancipated minor.

Question 13

A type of consent in which a patient gives verbal or nonverbal authorization for provision of care or transport.

Answer 13

Expressed consent.

Question 14

Confinement of a person without legal authority to do so.

Answer 14

False imprisonment.

Question 15

Laws that protect citizens from liability for errors and omissions in giving good faith emergency medical care

Answer 15

Good Samaritan Laws

Question 16

Type of consent in which a patient who is unable to give consent is treated under the legal assumption that they would want treatment.

Answer 16

Implied consent

Question 17

Permission for treatment given by a competent patient after risks, benefits and alternatives have been explained

Answer 17

Informed consent.

Question 18

False and damaging information about a person that is communicated in writting

Answer 18

Libel.

Question 19

The right of a patient to make informed choices regarding his/her healthcare

Answer 19

Patient autonomy

Question 20

Stiffening of the body muscles, a definitive sign of death

Answer 20

Rigor Mortis

Question 21

Decomposition of body tissues, a definitive sign of death.

Answer 21

Putrefaction

Question 22

Defined by state law, outlines the care that the EMT is able to provide for the patient.

Answer 22

Scope of practice.

Question 23

Written, accepted levels of emergency care expected by reason of training and profession.

Answer 23

Standard of care