Legal 51-75 Flashcards
While attempting to resuscitate a middle-aged woman in cardiac arrest, you perform effective CPR but do not evaluate the patient’s cardiac rhythm until 10 minutes into the resuscitation attempt. When the cardiac monitor is finally applied, the patient is in asystole. The patient is transported but is pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital. Which of the following statements regarding this scenario is correct?
Choose one answer.
A. The delay in evaluating the patient’s cardiac rhythm constitutes a breach of duty and could be proven to be the proximate cause of her death.
B. Simple negligence can be established because of the delay in applying the cardiac monitor, but your inaction did not proximately cause her death.
C. Your inaction reflects gross negligence and it easily could be established that the patient would have survived if the cardiac monitor had been applied earlier.
D. Although there was a delay in applying the cardiac monitor, you cannot be held liable, because effective CPR was performed throughout the resuscitation attempt.
A
The first rule of medical practice is to: Choose one answer. A. do no harm. B. provide medical care. C. maintain a sympathetic attitude. D. recognize critically ill patients.
A
Because a lawsuit may not begin until several years after the paramedic cares for a patient:
Choose one answer.
A. the paramedic should place an attorney on retainer.
B. all paramedics should carry malpractice insurance.
C. the paramedic should follow up with the patient regularly.
D. it is essential to maintain good documentation on any call.
D
The BEST way for the paramedic to evaluate a patient’s decision-making capacity is to:
Choose one answer.
A. determine if the patient knows what care is appropriate for the situation.
B. talk to the patient to determine if he or she understands what is happening.
C. confirm that the patient is at least 18 years of age or otherwise emancipated.
D. ensure that pulse oximetry and blood glucose readings are within normal limits.
B
Criminal laws most likely to apply to paramedics include all of the following, EXCEPT: Choose one answer. A. assault. B. battery. C. false imprisonment. D. inadequate patient care.
D
Which of the following statements regarding certification is correct?
Choose one answer.
A. Certification is evidence that an individual has a certain level of credentials based on hours of training and examination.
B. A certified health care provider has been granted the authority and privilege to practice medicine in a certain municipality.
C. Certification is a process in which a certifying entity attests to the fact that the health care provider has mastered a certain skill set.
D. Unlike a licensed health care provider, a certified health care provider is not required to obtain continuing education hours.
A
Which of the following general statements is correct?
Choose one answer.
A. When faced with an ethical dilemma, you should ask yourself, “What is in my best interest?”
B. A patient’s religious beliefs should be respected but should not affect how you provide care.
C. The EMT code of ethics simply amplifies the concept of being concerned for the welfare of others.
D. If you place your welfare ahead of the patient’s, you will rarely commit an unethical act in medical care.
C
When functioning at a crime scene, it is important for the paramedic to:
Choose one answer.
A. collect and safeguard any and all evidence.
B. carefully question witnesses as to what they saw.
C. use caution and not disturb the scene unnecessarily.
D. avoid performing patient care until cleared by the police.
C
In a medical liability suit involving a paramedic, the plaintiff:
Choose one answer.
A. must prove that the paramedic broke an established law.
B. is the paramedic and is generally represented by a lawyer.
C. usually seeks compensation for the injury he or she sustained.
D. must convince 6 of 12 jurors to agree with his or her position.
C
A 17-year-old woman presents with acute abdominal pain while at a party with her husband. You arrive at the scene, assess the patient, and advise her of the need for EMS treatment and transport. However, the patient, who is conscious and alert, refuses EMS treatment and transport and states that her husband will transport her in his car. You should:
Choose one answer.
A. advise her of the potential risks of refusing EMS treatment and transport.
B. begin treatment using implied consent, because she is under 18 years of age.
C. ensure that she has decision-making capacity and then obtain a signed refusal.
D. accept her refusal because the fact that she is married makes her emancipated.
A
Which of the following statements would be inappropriate when documenting your care of a patient with an emotional problem?
Choose one answer.
A. “There was no evidence of suicidal behavior.”
B. “The patient was uncooperative during the exam.”
C. “The possible smell of ETOH was noted at the scene.”
D. “The patient’s actions suggest the use of illicit drugs.”
D
Interventions that have been proven by studies to be of no benefit to the patient in cardiac arrest:
Choose one answer.
A. are illegal for the paramedic to perform.
B. are not medically or ethically indicated.
C. are commonly authorized by medical control.
D. should be performed unless the family objects.
B
Transporting a competent adult patient without his or her consent would MOST likely result in allegations of: Choose one answer. A. assault. B. battery. C. false imprisonment. D. criminal trespassing.
C
Scope of practice is defined as:
Choose one answer.
A. protocols agreed upon by a consensus of emergency physicians.
B. the level of care that an EMS employer allows the paramedic to provide.
C. national patient care guidelines established by the federal government.
D. care that a paramedic is permitted to perform under the certifying state.
D
The wrongful act that gives rise to a civil suit is called: Choose one answer. A. a tort. B. damage. C. liability. D. negligence.
A
