EMT Quiz Ch. 3 Medical, Legal, and Ethical Issues

Which of the following scenarios MOST accurately depicts abandonment? A. A paramedic transfers patient care to an EMT. B. An AEMT transfers patient care to a paramedic. C. A physician assumes patient care from an EMT. D. An EMT gives a verbal report to an emergency room nurse.

A. A paramedic transfers patient care to an EMT.

Which of the following general statements regarding consent is correct? A. A patient can consent to transport but can legally refuse to be treated. B. Patients who are intoxicated are generally allowed to refuse treatment. C. Expressed consent is valid only if given in writing by a family member. D. All patients older than 18 years can legally refuse treatment or transport.

A. A patient can consent to transport but can legally refuse to be treated.

You arrive at the scene of a motor vehicle-versus-pedestrian accident. The patient, a 13-year-old male, is unconscious and has multiple injuries. As you are treating the child, a law enforcement officer advises you that the child's parents will be at the scene in approximately 15 minutes. What should you do? A. Transport the child immediately and have the parents meet you at the hospital. B. Treat the child at the scene and wait for the parents to arrive and give consent. C. Begin transport at once and have the parents meet you en route to the hospital. D. Withhold treatment until the parents arrive and give you consent for treatment.

A. Transport the child immediately and have the parents meet you at the hospital.

Putrefaction is defined as: A. decomposition of the body's tissues. B. profound cyanosis to the trunk and face. C. blood settling to the lowest point of the body. D. separation of the torso from the rest of the body.

A. decomposition of the body's tissues.

If an action or procedure that was performed on a patient is not recorded on the written report: A. it was not performed in the eyes of the law. B. it can be qualified by the EMT in charge. C. it cannot be used in establishing negligence. D. it was performed haphazardly by the EMT.

A. it was not performed in the eyes of the law.

In which of the following situations does a legal duty to act clearly exist? A. The EMT witnesses a vehicle crash while off duty. B. A call is received 15 minutes prior to shift change. C. The EMT hears of a cardiac arrest after his or her shift ends. D. A bystander encounters a victim who is not breathing.

B. A call is received 15 minutes prior to shift change.

Which of the following scenarios is an example of informed consent? A. A patient advises an EMT of why he or she is refusing care. B. An EMT advises a patient of the risks of receiving treatment. C. An EMT initiates immediate care for an unconscious adult. D. A patient is advised by an EMT of the risks of refusing care.

B. An EMT advises a patient of the risks of receiving treatment.

Acting in such a way as to make another person fear immediate bodily harm is called: A. libel. B. assault. C. battery. D. negligence.

B. assault.

To minimize the risk of litigation, the EMT should: A. always transport patients to the hospital of their choice. B. provide competent care that meets current standards. C. use universal precautions with every patient encounter. D. utilize at least four personnel when moving a patient.

B. provide competent care that meets current standards.

You and your partner are the first to arrive at a potential crime scene with a critically injured patient involved. The scene is safe. Your first priority is to: A. notify medical control for advice. B. provide immediate patient care. C. wait for law enforcement to arrive. D. determine why the patient was injured.

B. provide immediate patient care.

Which of the following patients has decision-making capacity and can legally refuse emergency medical treatment? A. A confused young male who says he is the president B. A man who is staggering and states that he had three beers C. A conscious and alert woman with severe abdominal pain D. A diabetic woman who has slurred speech and is not aware of the date

C. A conscious and alert woman with severe abdominal pain

Which of the following components are needed to prove negligence? A. Abandonment, breach of duty, damages, and causation B. Duty to act, abandonment, breach of duty, and causation C. Duty to act, breach of duty, injury/damages, and causation D. Breach of duty, injury/damages, abandonment, and causation

C. Duty to act, breach of duty, injury/damages, and causation

You suspect that a pregnant 16-year-old girl has a broken leg after she was hit by a car. You explain that you plan to splint her leg, and she agrees to treatment. Which type of consent is her agreement considered? A. Implied B. Informed C. Expressed D. Minor's

C. Expressed

All of the following are considered to be protected health information (PHI), EXCEPT: A. patient history. B. treatment rendered. C. location of the call. D. assessment findings.

C. location of the call.

You are treating a man who was assaulted and has a closed head injury. The patient, who has slurred speech, becomes verbally abusive and tells you to leave him alone. You should: A. ask a police officer to transport the patient to the hospital. B. allow the patient to refuse treatment because the injury was not his fault. C. proceed with treatment and utilize law enforcement for assistance if necessary. D. have the police arrest the patient so that you can legally begin treatment.

C. proceed with treatment and utilize law enforcement for assistance if necessary.

Which of the following statements regarding Good Samaritan laws is correct? A. Such laws provide the EMT with absolute immunity from a lawsuit. B. Such laws guarantee that the EMT will not be held liable if he or she is sued. C. Such laws do not protect EMTs who are off duty. D. Such laws will not protect the EMT in cases of gross negligence.

D. Such laws will not protect the EMT in cases of gross negligence.

While transporting a stable patient with chest pain to the hospital, you come across a major motor vehicle crash involving several critically injured patients. You should: A. ask a bystander to remain with your patient as you treat the crash victims. B. remain at the scene until law enforcement and another ambulance arrive. C. stop and triage the patients while your partner remains in the ambulance. D. continue transporting your patient and notify the dispatcher of the crash.

D. continue transporting your patient and notify the dispatcher of the crash.

When performing his or her duties, the EMT is generally expected to: A. consistently exceed the standard of care. B. contact medical control on every EMS call. C. function above his or her scope of practice. D. exercise reasonable care and act prudently.

D. exercise reasonable care and act prudently.

In many states, a minor may be treated as an adult for the purpose of consenting to or refusing medical treatment if the minor: A. possesses a valid driver's license. B. is mentally competent and able to refuse. C. has a poor relationship with his or her parents. D. is self-supporting and lives by him- or herself.

D. is self-supporting and lives by him- or herself.

Your BEST protection against legal liability when a patient with decision-making capacity refuses EMS care and transport is to: A. advise medical control of the situation. B. err on the side of caution and transport. C. ensure that the family is aware of the risks. D. thoroughly document the entire event.

D. thoroughly document the entire event.