Medical, Legal, and Ethical Issues Flashcards
A male EMT was discussing a patient’s medical condition with a female EMT from a different service. The woman then repeated this information to others, which eventually made its way back to the patient. In regards to issues of confidentiality, which one of the following is true?
A) The male EMT could be changed with slander.
B) The female EMT committed an EMTALA violation.
C) Both EMTs violated EMTALA regulations.
D) The male EMT violated the HIPAA law.
D
Involuntary consent would most likely apply to:
A) A 23-year-old prisoner with a laceration to the right cheek and refusing care.
B) An alert and oriented 34-year-old male who is coughing up blood and refusing care.
C) A 3-year-old boy found wandering in the street with abrasions and cuts on his feet.
D) A confused elderly woman who is in the presence of her acting Power of Attorney.
A
You arrive at the scene of a motor vehicle-versus-pedestrian accident. The patient, a 13-year-old male, is unconscious and has multiple injuries. As you are treating the child, a law enforcement officer advises you that the child’s parents will be at the scene in approximately 15 minutes. What should you do?
A) Transport the child immediately and have the parents meet you at the hospital.
B) Treat the child at the scene and wait for the parents to arrive and give consent.
C) Begin transport at once and have the parents meet you en route to the hospital.
D) Withhold treatment until the parents arrive and give you consent for treatment.
A
Which of the following components are needed to prove negligence?
A) Abandonment, breach of duty, damages, and causation
B) Duty to act, abandonment, breach of duty, and causation
C) Duty to act, breach of duty, injury/damages, and causation
D) Breach of duty, injury/damages, abandonment, and causation
C
The EMTs’ scope of practice within his or her local response area is defined by the:
A) Medical director.
B) State EMS office.
C) EMS supervisor.
D) Local health district.
A
As an EMT, the performance of your duties will be compared to that of:
A) Another EMT.
B) The general public.
C) The medical director.
D) A paramedic supervisor.
A) Another EMT.
A
You have arrived at the emergency department with a patient complaining of nausea. The department is extremely busy and you are waiting to give a verbal report to the nurse or doctor. While waiting, dispatch contacts you over the radio and states that you are needed for a critically injured child. Your best action would be to:
A) Take the call and come back to give the report at a later time.
B) Provide the certified nurse’s aide with a report of the patient’s condition.
C) Go to the nurse’s station and provide the registered nurse with a quick report.
D) Leave the patient in the emergency department and take the call.
C
There has been a very serious motor vehicle collision involving a high-profile judge seeking reelection. The judge was traveling at a high rate of speed and crossed the center line, striking and killing a motorcyclist. Newspaper reporters are on location, asking you to describe what happened. Which one of the following statements is most appropriate?
A) “The judge was involved, but I cannot tell you anything that happened.”
B) “The judge was in the car that hit and killed the motorcyclist.”
C) “There has been a serious accident in which a person was killed.”
D) “The accident was not bad, so please leave the scene.”
C
A 62-year-old male is short of breath. The EMT asks the patient if it would be okay to assess him, including taking his vital signs. The patient agrees. Which one of the following is true?
A) Informed consent has been obtained by the EMT.
B) The EMT has obtained expressed consent.
C) The patient can be transported without further permission.
D) A witness is needed for the patient’s consent.
B
Which aspect of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) most affects EMS personnel?
A) Controlling insurance costs
B) Protecting patient privacy
C) Preventing insurance fraud
D) Ensuring access to insurance
B
In which of the following circumstances can the EMT legally release confidential patient information?
A) A police officer requests a copy to place on file
B) The family requests a copy for insurance purposes
C) A media representative inquiries about the patient
D) The patient is competent and signs a release form
D
