Medical, Legal, and Ethical Issues: Ch 3 Flashcards
The seizing, confining, abducting, or carrying away of a person by force, including transporting a competent adult for medical treatment without his or her consent.
kidnapping
Refers to the legal responsibility of a person or organization to take on some of the functions and responsibilities of a parent.
in loco parentis
Blood settling to the lowest point of the body, causing discoloration of the skin; a definitive sign of death.
dependent lividity
A type of advance directive executed by a competent adult that appoints another individual to make medical treatment decisions on his or her behalf in the event that the person making the appointment loses decision-making capacity. Also known as a durable power of attorney for health care.
health care proxy
When the EMT or an EMS system is held liable even when the plaintiff is unable to clearly demonstrate how an injury occurred.
res ispa loquitur
A type of advance directive executed by a competent adult that appoints another individual to make medical treatment decisions on his or her behalf, in the event that the person making the appointment loses decision-making capacity.
durable power of attorney for health care
A theory that may be used when the conduct of the person being sued is alleged to have occurred in clear violation of a statute.
negligence per se
Written documentation that specifies medical treatment for a competent patient should the patient become unable to make decisions; also called a living will or health care directive.
advance directive
Written, accepted levels of emergency care expected by reason of training and profession; written by legal or professional organizations so that patients are not exposed to unreasonable risk or harm.
standard of care
A code of conduct that can be defined by society, religion, or a person, affecting character, conduct, and conscience.
morality
A legal defense that may be raised when the defendant thinks that the conduct of the plaintiff somehow contributed to any injuries or damages that were sustained by the plaintiff.
contributory negligence
Damages awarded in a civil lawsuit that are intended to restore the plaintiff to the same condition that he or she was in prior to the incident.
compensatory damages
Disclosure of information without proper authorization.
breach of confidentiality
A written document that specifies medical treatment for a competent patient, should he or she become unable to make decisions. Also known as an advance directive or a living will.
health care directive
A medicolegal term relating to certain personnel who either by statute or by function have a responsibility to provide care.
duty to act
Able to make rational decisions about personal well-being.
competent
Written questions that the defense and plaintiff send to one another.
interrogatories
Ability to understand and process information and make a choice regarding appropriate medical care.
decision-making capacity
The confinement of a person without legal authority or the person’s consent.
false imprisonment
The phase of a civil lawsuit where the plaintiff and defense obtain information from each other that will enable the attorneys to have a better understanding of the case and which will assist in negotiating a possible settlement or in preparing for trial. This includes depositions, interrogatories, and demands for production of records.
discovery
Immediate care or treatment.
emergency medical care
Conduct that constitutes a willful or reckless disregard for a duty or standard of care.
gross negligence
Cooling of the body after death until it matches the ambient temperature.
algor mortis
The time within which a legal case must be commenced.
statute of limitations
