Chapter 3- Medical, Legal, And Ethical Issues

Question 1

Standard of care

Answer 1

The care that is expected to be provided by an EMT with similar training when managing a patient in a similar situation.

Question 2

Scope of practice

Answer 2

The actions and care that EMT’s are LEGALLY allowed to perform by the STATE in which they are providing emergency medical care

Question 3

Duty to Act

Answer 3

Refers to your legal obligation to provide service, whether you think the patient needs an ambulance or not.

Question 4

Good Samaritan Law

Answer 4

Protects a person who is not being paid for his services from liability for acts performed in GOOD FAITH unless those acts constitute gross negligence.

Question 5

______________ must be obtained from every conscious patient who is rational and of legal age before treatment is started.

Answer 5

Expressed consent

Question 6

Make sure to always get a person’s __________ before starting treatment

Answer 6

Consent

Question 7

Implied Consent

Answer 7

Aka emergency doctrine, occurs when you assume that a patient who is UNRESPONSIVE, DISORIENTED, A MINOR without guardian would accept care if he or she could.

Question 8

Minor Consent

Answer 8

Must be obtained from a parent, legal guardian, or other person who has been granted limited rights of decision making by the parent or guardian.

Question 9

Involuntary Consent

Answer 9

Can be applied when you are dealing with a MENTALLY INCOMPETENT adult or with an individual who is in CUSTODY of Law Enforcement or is INCARCERATED.

Question 10

Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST)

Answer 10

Are used in patients with serious or terminal illness who are not expected to survive for longer than 1 year. It allows patient to choose and express the level of treatment they desire.

Question 11

Patient can refuse treatment if they are?

Answer 11

Competent

Question 12

AMA checklist

Answer 12

• Make sure patient is competent
• Patient is not under the influence
• Fully understand the situation
• Consequence have been explained up to and including death.
• Patient has been advised to recontact 911 if conditions worsen.
• Have Patient sign the AMA form

Question 13

Negligence

Answer 13

Is a tort in which there is no intent to do any harm to the patient but in which a breach in the duty to act occurred.

Question 14

Abandonment

Answer 14

Failure to transfer patient to another competent professional of EQUAL or HIGHER level of training.

Question 15

Assault

Answer 15

Is a willful threat to inflict harm on a patient.

Question 16

Battery

Answer 16

The act of touching a patient unlawfully without consent.

Question 17

kidnapping

Answer 17

Taking the patient to the hospital against wishes.

Question 18

Defamation

Answer 18

When you release information to the public in either a written or spoken form that is construed to be damaging to that person’s character, reputation, or standing within the community.

Question 19

Libel

Answer 19

Putting a false or damaging statement in written form or via mass media.

Question 20

What is 5150?

Answer 20

Mandatory 72 hour psychiatric detention.

Question 21

Physicians or Law Enforcement may place a person on a 5150 because of these reasons:

Answer 21

• Danger to Self
• Danger to others
• Gravely disabled (unable to care for oneself)