Podcast
Questions and Answers
Which of the following MOST accurately defines negligence?
Which of the following MOST accurately defines negligence?
If an action or procedure that was performed on a patient is not recorded on the written report, it was not performed in the eyes of the law.
If an action or procedure that was performed on a patient is not recorded on the written report, it was not performed in the eyes of the law.
True
What should you do if a child's mother refuses treatment after a suspected leg fracture?
What should you do if a child's mother refuses treatment after a suspected leg fracture?
Try to persuade the mother that treatment is needed.
An EMT would MOST likely be held liable for abandonment if they:
An EMT would MOST likely be held liable for abandonment if they:
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In order for a do not resuscitate (DNR) order to be valid, it must:
In order for a do not resuscitate (DNR) order to be valid, it must:
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What is the manner in which the EMT must act or behave when caring for a patient called?
What is the manner in which the EMT must act or behave when caring for a patient called?
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When developing EMS agency's institutional standards, what is important to consider?
When developing EMS agency's institutional standards, what is important to consider?
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What section of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) MOST affects EMS personnel?
What section of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) MOST affects EMS personnel?
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A mentally competent adult can withdraw his or her consent to treat at any time.
A mentally competent adult can withdraw his or her consent to treat at any time.
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What should you do if a patient with a closed head injury becomes verbally abusive?
What should you do if a patient with a closed head injury becomes verbally abusive?
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What should you do in case a 16-year-old female experiencing an asthma attack is conscious but in severe respiratory distress?
What should you do in case a 16-year-old female experiencing an asthma attack is conscious but in severe respiratory distress?
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What action should you take when a patient has terminal brain cancer and a DNR order is mentioned but cannot be found?
What action should you take when a patient has terminal brain cancer and a DNR order is mentioned but cannot be found?
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What should you do when faced with a patient in cardiac arrest without a valid DNR order?
What should you do when faced with a patient in cardiac arrest without a valid DNR order?
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Which of the following scenarios MOST accurately depicts informed consent?
Which of the following scenarios MOST accurately depicts informed consent?
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What should you do if you give a diabetic patient oral glucose despite her high blood glucose level?
What should you do if you give a diabetic patient oral glucose despite her high blood glucose level?
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The performance of your duties as an EMT will be compared to that of:
The performance of your duties as an EMT will be compared to that of:
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To minimize the risk of litigation, what should an EMT always do?
To minimize the risk of litigation, what should an EMT always do?
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Which of the following components are needed to prove negligence?
Which of the following components are needed to prove negligence?
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When performing their duties, what is the general expectation for an EMT?
When performing their duties, what is the general expectation for an EMT?
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Which of the following general statements regarding consent is MOST correct?
Which of the following general statements regarding consent is MOST correct?
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At a mass-casualty incident, if you identify a patient as an organ donor, what should you do?
At a mass-casualty incident, if you identify a patient as an organ donor, what should you do?
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An incomplete or untidy patient care form indicates inadequate patient care was administered.
An incomplete or untidy patient care form indicates inadequate patient care was administered.
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What should you do when arriving at the scene of a motor vehicle versus pedestrian accident with an unconscious patient?
What should you do when arriving at the scene of a motor vehicle versus pedestrian accident with an unconscious patient?
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The EMT's scope of practice within their local response area is defined by the:
The EMT's scope of practice within their local response area is defined by the:
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Maintaining the chain of evidence at a crime scene should include:
Maintaining the chain of evidence at a crime scene should include:
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Which of the following types of consent allows treatment of a patient who is unconscious or mentally incapacitated?
Which of the following types of consent allows treatment of a patient who is unconscious or mentally incapacitated?
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What type of consent is involved when a 39-year-old mentally competent female with a severe headache asks you to take her to the hospital?
What type of consent is involved when a 39-year-old mentally competent female with a severe headache asks you to take her to the hospital?
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Putrefaction is defined as:
Putrefaction is defined as:
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What type of consent is a pregnant 16-year-old girl’s agreement for treatment after explaining your intention to splint her leg considered?
What type of consent is a pregnant 16-year-old girl’s agreement for treatment after explaining your intention to splint her leg considered?
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In many states, under what condition may a minor be treated as an adult for consenting to or refusing medical treatment?
In many states, under what condition may a minor be treated as an adult for consenting to or refusing medical treatment?
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Which situation requires you to notify the appropriate authorities?
Which situation requires you to notify the appropriate authorities?
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Your BEST protection against legal liability when a competent patient refuses EMS care and transport is to:
Your BEST protection against legal liability when a competent patient refuses EMS care and transport is to:
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Which of the following is NOT considered to be protected health information (PHI)?
Which of the following is NOT considered to be protected health information (PHI)?
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While transporting a stable patient with chest pain, what is your MOST appropriate action when you come across a major motor vehicle crash?
While transporting a stable patient with chest pain, what is your MOST appropriate action when you come across a major motor vehicle crash?
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During a quality improvement (QI) meeting, discussing patient care reports (PCRs), what violation occurs if patient PHI is not removed beforehand?
During a quality improvement (QI) meeting, discussing patient care reports (PCRs), what violation occurs if patient PHI is not removed beforehand?
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When you recognize a patient in cardiac arrest as the drunk driver who previously killed your brother, what should you do?
When you recognize a patient in cardiac arrest as the drunk driver who previously killed your brother, what should you do?
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The Good Samaritan law will not protect the EMT in cases of gross negligence.
The Good Samaritan law will not protect the EMT in cases of gross negligence.
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What is your first priority when you arrive at a potential crime scene with a critically injured patient?
What is your first priority when you arrive at a potential crime scene with a critically injured patient?
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Which of the following scenarios MOST accurately depicts abandonment?
Which of the following scenarios MOST accurately depicts abandonment?
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In which of the following situations does the EMT NOT have a legal duty to act?
In which of the following situations does the EMT NOT have a legal duty to act?
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What should you do when dispatched to a shooting scene with law enforcement personnel present?
What should you do when dispatched to a shooting scene with law enforcement personnel present?
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Study Notes
Legal and Ethical Considerations
- Negligence is defined as deviation from the standard of care that may lead to further injury.
- Documentation: If an action is not recorded in the written report, it is considered not performed legally.
- Abandonment occurs if the EMT fails to ensure continued care for an injured patient.
Patient Consent and Treatment
- Informed Consent involves advising a patient of treatment risks; a solid example is an EMT explaining procedures before administering care.
- A Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order must clearly state the patient's medical condition to be valid.
- Consent Withdrawal: A competent adult can refuse treatment at any time, which must be respected even if the EMT believes treatment is necessary.
Emergency Response Protocols
- Treat a patient experiencing an asthma attack with urgency, providing care up to the EMT's training level.
- In cases where a patient's family stated a DNR but it cannot be located, the EMT should begin treatment and contact medical control.
- During a mass-casualty incident, organ donors may be assigned a lower triage priority based on available resources.
Professional Standards and Liability
- Standard of Care is the expected behavior of an EMT when caring for patients, determined by what another EMT would do in similar circumstances.
- Consent Types: Implied consent applies to unconscious patients, while expressed consent involves mentally competent patients requesting treatment.
- Documenting all interactions with competent patients who refuse care is crucial for legal protection.
Handling Sensitive Situations
- Ensure proper handling of the chain of evidence at crime scenes by not altering or cutting evidence unnecessarily.
- In emergencies involving minors, consideration is given to their independence; self-supporting minors can consent to treatment.
- Some situations, such as attempted suicide, require notifying appropriate authorities to ensure patient safety.
Risk Management
- To minimize litigation risks, consistently provide competent care aligning with current standards.
- Failure to protect patient privacy can lead to violations under HIPAA; this includes discussing identifiable patient information without proper safeguards.
- EMTs must be prepared to show immediate care is the highest priority when arriving at a scene with a critically injured patient.
Situational Awareness
- In case of encountering a crime scene or critical incident while off duty, EMTs are not required to act legally.
- Rapid movement of obstacles may be necessary to access injured patients, especially in confined spaces where immediate medical intervention is crucial.
Understanding Patient Rights
- Patients can consent to transportation while legally refusing treatment, reflecting their autonomy in medical decisions.
- Recognizing the nuances of abandonment and duty to act in various scenarios is essential for EMTs to navigate legal and ethical responsibilities correctly.
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Description
Test your knowledge of medical negligence with these flashcards. Each card presents essential definitions and scenarios related to patient care and legal standards. Ideal for students in healthcare or medical law.
