Ethics one-liners Flashcards
What are the four principles used in medical ethics?
Respect for autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice
Define respect for autonomy
Allowing the patient to make her own decisions without controlling interferences
Define beneficence
Obligation to act in a way that is likely to benefit the patient
Define non-maleficence
Obligation not to cause harm or injury
Define justice
Obligation to provide equal treatment to similar patients
What is the hierarchy of surrogate decision making?
Health care proxy, spouse, adult child, parents, adult siblings
Define advance directive
Document whereby a patient designates her preferences for medical care in the event she is unable to make decisions
What qualifies a minor as emancipated?
Marriage, serving in active duty in the military, or court order
For which medical issues can adolescents receive care without parental consent?
Contraception, pregnancy care, screening and treatment for sexually transmitted infections, and substance use disorder
Aside from the above, when can care be provided to a minor without parental consent?
Emergencies placing life or health in danger, or when the parental decision places the child at significant risk of serious harm
Under what circumstances is the treating physician obligated to report a patient to law enforcement?
Homicidal threats toward a specific person. Certain types of injuries such as firearm injuries must also be reported; however, there is significant variation between states
Under what circumstances is the treating physician obligated to report a patient to the Department of Social Services (DSS)?
When there is reasonable suspicion of abuse (physician, sexual or neglect) of a child, elderly adult or mentally incapacitated adult. Note: exact definitions vary by state including age of sexual consent and minimum age for “elderly”
Which infections encountered by the obstetrician-gynecologist are required to be reported to the health department?
Gonorrhea, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, Listeriosis, Zika, Rubella, Varicella, Chlamydia, HIV, Toxic Shock Syndrome, Syphilis
