Medical, Legal, and Ethical Issues Flashcards
Scope of Practice
a set of regulations and ethical considerations that define the scope, or extent and limits, of the EMTs job
Standard of Care
for an EMT providing care for specific patient in a specific situation, the care that would be expected to be provided by an EMT with similar training when caring for a patient in a similar situation
Consent
permission from the patient for care or other action by the EMT
Expressed Consent
consent given by adults who are of legal age and mentally competent to make a rational decision in regard to their medical well-being
Implied Consent
the consent it is presumed a patient or patient’s parent or guardian would give if they could such as for an unconscious patient or a parent who cannot be contaced when care is needed
in loco parentis
in place of the parent, indicating a person who may give consent for care of a child when the parents are not present or able to give consent
Liability
being held legally responsible
Assult
placing a person in fear of bodily harm
Battery
causing bodily harm to or restraining a person
DNR order
do not resuscitate order
legal document usually signed by the patient and his physician which states that the patient has a terminal illness and does not wish to prolong life through resuscitation efforts
Advanced Directive
a DNR order; instructions written in advance of an event
Negligence
a finding of failure to act properly in a situation in which there was a duty to act, that needed care as would reasonably be expected of the EMT was not provided, and that harm was caused to the patient as a result
Tort
a civil, not criminal , offencse; an action or injury caused by negligence from which a lawsuit may arise
res ipsa loquitur
a latin term meaning “the thing speaks for itself”
Abandonment
leaving a patient after care has been initiated and before the patient has been transferred to someone with equal or greater medical training
