Chapter 4 Vocab

Question 1

ethics

Answer 1

principles, either personal or societal, that determine right from wrong

Question 2

morality

Answer 2

pertaining to conscience, conduct, or character

• can be used interchangeably with the word “ethics”

Question 3

consent

Answer 3

agreement to medical interventions

Question 4

common law

Answer 4

a decision made by a judge in court based on their interpretation of the law

Question 5

liability

Answer 5

responsibility for an action

Question 6

civil lawsuit

Answer 6

an action instituted by a person or company that sues another person or company

Question 7

plaintiff

Answer 7

a person or company that is suing

Question 8

defendant

Answer 8

a person or company that is being sued

Question 9

tort

Answer 9

wrongful act that gives rise to a civil lawsuit

• 2 types: intentional and unintentional

Question 10

damages

Answer 10

compensation awarded by the court

Question 11

punitive damages

Answer 11

compensation awarded to the plaintiff for intentional or reckless acts done by the defendant

Question 12

criminal prosecution

Answer 12

the government sues a person that prosecutors believe violated criminal laws

Question 13

assault

Answer 13

when the defendant instills fear of bodily harm or breach of bodily security on the plaintiff

Question 14

battery

Answer 14

when the defendant touches the plaintiff in a harmful or offensive way without their consent

Question 15

false imprisonment

Answer 15

when the plaintiff is intentionally and unjustifiably detained against their will by the defendant

Question 16

defamation

Answer 16

intentionally making a false statement that damages a person’s reputation

Question 17

libel

Answer 17

a written false statement that damages a person’s reputation

Question 18

slander

Answer 18

a verbal false statement that damages a person’s reputation

Question 19

borrowed servant doctrine

Answer 19

principle that absolves your company from liability when you act beyond your scope of practice by someone else’s orders

Question 20

due process

Answer 20

the right to a fair procedure when an infraction is in question

• 2 components
  
  1. notice of the actions of your possible infraction
  2. opportunity to be heard in a hearing

Question 21

Medical Practice Act

Answer 21

1. minimum qualifications a person must have to perform medical services
2. defines the skills practitioners are legally allowed to use
3. establishes means of licensure or certification for different health care professionals

Question 22

scope of practice

Answer 22

medical care that you are allowed to perform under your license

Question 23

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA)

Answer 23

law that provides criminal sanctions and penalties for releasing patient’s protected health info when it is not authorized by the patient

Question 24

Emergency Metical Treatment and Active Labor Act (EMTALA)

Answer 24

law prohibiting patient dumping and refusal of treatment based on the patient’s financial status

Question 25

immunity

Answer 25

legal protection from penalties