Legal Ethics

Question 1

Define expressed consent

Answer 1

Verbal, non-verbal or written communication that a patient wants care, as just discussed…

Question 2

Define implied consent

Answer 2

Inferred by a person’s actions and the facts and circumstances of a particular situation
•Or with unconscious patients or adults who are too ill or injured to consent to emergency lifesaving treatment, their consent to treatment is implied

Question 3

Define indirect discrimination

Answer 3

when conditions or requirements are set out that exclude members of an Equality Target Group - in relation to jobs or services.

Question 4

Define direct discrimination

Answer 4

◦is where a person is treated less favourably purely because of their sex, race, sexual orientation, religion or belief or disability

Question 5

Define positive discrimination

Answer 5

where one person is favoured over another because they are from an under-represented

Question 6

What are the role and functions of PHECC

Answer 6

Education and training
Examination and registration

Question 7

How many administrative areas are in the hse

Answer 7

4

Question 8

How many areas do NAs operate under

Answer 8

3

Question 9

What does NEOC stand for

Answer 9

National emergency operations centre

Question 10

How many patient contacts per year are required per cpc

Answer 10

12

Question 11

What is the recommended retention period for an adult

Answer 11

8 years

Question 12

What is the recommended retention period for maternity

Answer 12

25 years after birth of last child

Question 13

What is the recommended retention period for child/ young adult

Answer 13

Until 25th birthday or 26th birthday if young adult is 17 or the conclusion of treatment or 8 years after death

Question 14

What is the recommended retention period for homicide/ serious incident

Answer 14

30 years

Question 15

What is the recommended retention period for dead

Answer 15

8 years after death

Question 16

What is the recommended retention period for clinical audit records

Answer 16

5 years

Question 17

What is the recommended retention period for record of destruction of individual patient records

Answer 17

Permanently

Question 18

What is cumulative stress

Answer 18

pile-up of unresolved general stress; it is abnormal and destructive
•It is sometimes called “burnout

Question 19

What is critical incident stress

Answer 19

Sometimes called ‘traumatic stress’, it is caused by exposure to frightening/ grotesque/overwhelming/ threatening events
•It is a normal, but painful, response of normal healthy people to an abnormal event

Question 20

What is ptsd

Answer 20

Caused by extreme or unresolved Critical Incident Stress
•PTSD is abnormal. While about 10% of the general population develop it over their lifetime, 15% of EMS develop it in their careers

Question 21

What are the stages of the grieving process

Answer 21

Denial
•Anger
•Bargaining
•Depression
•Acceptance

Question 22

How do you calm violence

Answer 22

Concentrate on remaining calm and maintain self control
•Always identify yourself as ambulance staff
And that You are there to help
•Encourage the patient to talk, then listen to them

Question 23

How to manage an aggressive patient

Answer 23

An important way of managing an aggressive patient is by winning their confidence and thereby obtaining their compliance
•Always Be:
◦Calm and confident
◦Polite but firm
◦Respectful
◦Professional

Question 24

How do you report a violent or aggressive incident

Answer 24

Inform CAC, who will send a Duty Manager and Gardaí if requested, to assist you on scene should you be involved in a violent incident, either verbal, physical or a combination of both

Question 25

What are preterm babies

Answer 25

pre-term’ is a general term given to babies who are:

•Born before the 37 weeks gestation

•Small, weighing less than 2.5 kg (5) lbs at birth

Question 26

What are the physical characteristics of a preterm baby

Answer 26

Skull bones will be soft and may be widely separated or overlapped
•Head may seem unduly large in proportion to the body
•Body length of under 44 cm (17 in)
•Skin - dull, wrinkly and covered with downy hair. In very early babies it is shiny and thin with prominent veins
•Nails not grown to ends of nail beds
•Tends to be feeble drowsy and not able to suck well

Question 27

What are health characteristics of a preterm baby

Answer 27

Respiratory centre and muscles not fully developed
•Heat regulating centre not fully developed + no subcutaneous fat = inadequate heat production
•Poor sucking and swallowing reflexes, increase risk of bronchopneumonia
•Greater risk from respiratory and gastrointestinal

Question 28

What Is the function of a incubator

Answer 28

Control temperature

Supply oxygen at a controlled rate
•Maintain humidity at 60 % - 65 %
•Reduce risk of infection
•Reduce unnecessary handling
•Provide for ventilation

Question 29

How do you manage premature babies

Answer 29

normally done by the SCBU nurse/team who will accompany the patient
•This team often comprises of an anaesthetist, midwife, nurse or paediatrician
•If transporting pre-term baby, follow the instruction and advice of the staff escort, they are the experts who are aware of the infant’s current medical status

Question 30

Duties of ambulance staff when dealing with premature babies

Answer 30

Incubator is properly secured
•Any connections from the incubator to the vehicle are correctly done - are plugs, voltages, etc. correct
•All persons travelling with the patient are on board and using safety belts
•Progressive, safe driving especially if the use of blue lights & sirens or Garda escort has been approved
•Work with the escort team