Medical Legal and Ethical Issues Chapter 3

Questions and Answers

What is the term for permission to treat an unconscious patient until he/she becomes conscious?

Implied consent

What is a written order given by the physician based upon a decision by a patient prior to his/her demise?

Advance directive

What does it mean to be held legally responsible in medical terms?

Liability

What is the obligation to provide emergency care to a patient called?

Duty to act Signup and view all the answers

What is permission given by adults who are of legal age and mentally competent to make a rational decision in regard to their medical well-being?

Expressed consent Signup and view all the answers

What is permission from the patient to treat him/her known as?

Consent Signup and view all the answers

What are the laws designed to provide immunity from liability to individuals trying to help in emergencies called?

Good Samaritan laws Signup and view all the answers

What term refers to the collective medical, legal, and ethical guidelines that govern the EMT-Basic?

Scope of practice Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for not providing the standard of care?

Breach of duty Signup and view all the answers

What term refers to the finding of failure to act properly in a situation in which there was a duty to act?

Negligence Signup and view all the answers

What is the legal document, usually signed by the patient and his/her physician, to 'do not resuscitate'?

DNR order Signup and view all the answers

What is the obligation not to reveal information obtained about a patient called?

Confidentiality Signup and view all the answers

What is it called when a patient is left after care has been initiated without assurance that they have been turned over to someone with equal or greater medical training?

Abandonment Signup and view all the answers

What is a child who is married or of a specific age who, in certain states, can make his/her own legal decisions called?

Emancipated minor Signup and view all the answers

What can subject a patient to unwanted care and transport be considered in a court of law?

Battery Signup and view all the answers

The collective set of regulations and ethical considerations governing the EMT-B is called:

Scope of practice Signup and view all the answers

Legislation that governs the skill and medical interventions that may be performed by an EMT-B is:

Different from state to state Signup and view all the answers

When the EMT-B makes the physical/emotional needs of the patient a priority, this is considered a(n):

Ethical responsibility Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is not a type of consent required for any treatment or action by an EMT-B?

Applied Signup and view all the answers

When you inform the adult patient of a procedure you are about to perform and its associated risks, you are looking for:

Expressed consent Signup and view all the answers

Consent which is based on the assumption that an unconscious patient would approve the EMT-B's life-saving interventions is called:

Implied consent Signup and view all the answers

Your record of a patient's refusal of medical aid or transport should include all of the following except:

Signing of the form by the Medical Director Signup and view all the answers

Forcing a competent adult patient to go to the hospital against his will may result in ________ charges against the EMT-Basic:

Assault and battery Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an action you should not take if a patient refuses care?

Tell the patient to call his family physician if the problem reoccurs Signup and view all the answers

Another name for a DNR order is:

Advance directive Signup and view all the answers

There are varying degrees of DNR orders, expressed through a variety of detailed instructions that may be part of the order, such as:

Allowing for CPR only if cardiac or respiratory arrest was observed Signup and view all the answers

In a hospital, long-term life-support and 'comfort care' measures would consist of intravenous feeding and:

The use of a respirator Signup and view all the answers

If an EMT-B with a duty to act fails to provide the standard of care, and if this failure causes harm or injury to the patient, the EMT-B may be accused of:

Negligence Signup and view all the answers

Termination of care of the patient without assuring the continuation of care at the same level or higher is called:

Abandonment Signup and view all the answers

The EMT-B should not discuss information about a patient outside of relaying pertinent information to the physician at the Emergency Department. Information considered confidential includes:

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

The EMT-B can release confidential patient information in all of the following circumstances except:

To protect the other victims of a motor vehicle collision Signup and view all the answers

Medical identification insignia that indicate serious patient medical conditions come in the form of all of the following except:

Patches Signup and view all the answers

When treating a critical patient who has an organ donor card, the EMT-Basic should:

Treat the patient the same as any other patient and inform the ED physician Signup and view all the answers

At a crime scene, the EMT-B should:

Avoid disturbing any evidence at the scene unless emergency care requires Signup and view all the answers

Commonly required reporting situations include all of the following except:

Crimes in public places Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Medical Legal and Ethical Issues in EMS

Implied Consent: Permission to treat unconscious patients until they regain consciousness; assumed in emergencies when the patient cannot provide consent.
Advance Directive: A written order from a patient, detailing medical decisions made while the patient was competent, often regarding life-sustaining treatment preferences.
Liability: The legal responsibility held by individuals, including EMTs, for their actions or omissions during patient care.
Duty to Act: The obligation of EMS providers to provide emergency care when required.
Expressed Consent: Permission given verbally or in writing by patients who are adults and mentally competent, allowing treatment.
Consent: General permission from the patient to receive medical treatment; fundamental in providing care legally.
Good Samaritan Laws: Legislation providing legal protection to individuals assisting others in emergencies, minimizing liability risks.
Scope of Practice: The predefined medical, legal, and ethical guidelines that define the actions and procedures permissible for EMTs under their certification.
Breach of Duty: Failure to meet the standard of care expected in a medical situation, which can lead to legal repercussions.
Negligence: A legal term finding when a provider fails to act appropriately in circumstances requiring action, resulting in patient harm.
DNR Order (Do Not Resuscitate): A legal document signifying a patient's wish not to receive resuscitative measures in the event of a medical emergency.
Confidentiality: The ethical obligation to protect patient information, sharing it only with relevant healthcare providers, legal obligations, or court requirements.
Abandonment: Leaving a patient without ensuring they are under the care of a qualified professional, resulting in potential legal consequences.
Emancipated Minor: A legal designation for a child who is either married or of a specified age, empowering them to make their own medical decisions.
Battery: The unlawful and intentional application of force to a patient, such as forcing treatment against their will.
Ethical Responsibility: Prioritizing the physical and emotional needs of patients in medical decisions and care.
Types of Consent: Implied and expressed consent are valid; applied consent is not recognized in medical settings.
Refusal of Care: Documenting patient's refusal of care includes informing them of risks, steps taken, but does not require a Medical Director's signature.
Assault and Battery Charges: Forcing competent adults to receive treatment against their will can lead to serious legal actions.
DNR Equals Advance Directive: Both terms can be used interchangeably to denote a patient’s wishes regarding resuscitation.
Degrees of DNR Orders: Detailed instructions often allow certain procedures, such as initiating CPR under specific conditions.
Hospital Care Characteristics: Long-term life-support combines measures like intravenous feeding and incapacitations like ventilator support.
Consequences of Negligence: EMTs can be charged with negligence if they fail to adhere to the established standards of care causing patient harm.
Liability Related to Abandonment: Ending patient care without ensuring continued treatment can lead to liability issues for EMS providers.
Confidential Information: Patient details shared within the healthcare team, such as medical history and treatment provided, must remain confidential.
Releasing Confidential Information: Disclosure is permitted under specific circumstances, including legal obligations or informing care-providing personnel.
Identification of Medical Conditions: Patients often utilize bracelets or necklaces for medical alerts, whereas patches are not typically used for this purpose.
Handling Organ Donor Cases: EMTs must treat all patients, including organ donors, with standard procedures, notifying the ED physician of the organ donor status.
Best Practices at Crime Scenes: EMTs should preserve evidence at the scene unless immediate care is necessary, avoiding any actions that could compromise the investigation.
Mandatory Reporting Situations: Reporting is often necessary for suspected abuse cases, sexual assault, but not typically required for crimes committed in public places.

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Test your knowledge on medical legal and ethical concepts with these flashcards from Chapter 3. This quiz covers critical terms such as implied consent, advance directives, and liability, which are essential for healthcare professionals. Prepare yourself to understand these vital issues in the medical field.