EMT-B Chapter 3: Medical, Legal & Ethical

Which of the following MOST accurately defines negligence? A. Deviation from the standard of care that may result in further injury. B. Providing care that is consistent with care provided by other EMTs. C. Transport of a mentally incompetent patient against his or her will. D. Transferring patient care to a provider with a lower level of training.

A. Deviation from the standard of care that may result in further injury.

Which aspect of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) MOST affects EMS personnel? A. Protecting patient privacy B. Preventing insurance fraud C. Controlling insurance costs D. Ensuring access to insurance

A. Protecting patient privacy

You are called to attend to an elderly patient with an extensive medical history who is now in cardiac arrest. The patient's family tells you that the patient has a DNR order. There is no paperwork available but the patient does have a MedicAlert bracelet indicating Do Not Resuscitate. You should: A. confirm the patient identity and them confirm the DNR by calling the MedicAlert. B. initiate resuscitation in the absence of paperwork. C. confirm the patient's identity and honor the DNR order. D. transport with minimal care.

A. confirm the patient's identity and then confirm the DNR by calling the MedicAlert.

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

A. exercise reasonable care and act prudently.

In the eyes of the courts, an incomplete or untidy patient care form indicates: A. inadequate patient care was administered. B. thorough documentation was not required. C. the EMT was too busy providing patient care to fill out the form. D. potential falsification of the patient care form.

A. inadequate patient care was administered.

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. is self-supporting and lives by him-or herself. B. has a poor relationship with his or her parents. C. is mentally competent and able to refuse. D. possesses a valid driver's license.

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

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

B. A paramedic transfers patient care to an EMT.

Which of the following situations requires you to notify the appropriate authorities? A. Drug overdose B. Attempted suicide C. Cardiac arrest D. Accidental knife wound

B. Attempted suicide

The EMT's scope of practice within his or her local response area is defined by the: A. state EMS office B. medical director C. local health district D. EMS supervisor

B. medical director

When caring for a 65-year-old male with respiratory distress, you place him in a comfortable position but do not apply oxygen. The patient's condition continues to deteriorate and he develops cardiac arrest and dies at the hospital. This scenario is an example of: A. abandonment B. neglegence C. assault D. battery

B. neglegence

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.

Which of the following patients has decision-making capacity and can legally refuse emergency medical treatment? A. A man who is staggering and states that he had three beers. B. A confused young male who says he is the president. 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.

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. Informed B. Minor's C. Expressed D. Implied

C. Expressed

In which of the following circumstances can the EMT legally release confidential information? A. A police officer requests a copy to place on file. B. The family requests a copy for insurance purposes. C. The patient is competent and signs a release form. D. A media representative inquires about the patient.

C. The patient is competent and signs a release form.

When is forcible restraint permitted? A. Only if law enforcement personnel have witnessed threatening behavior. B. Only if consent to restrain is given by a family member. C. When the patient poses a significant threat to self or others. D. Anytime that the EMT feels threatened.

C. When the patient poses a significant threat to self or others.

A patient regains consciousness en route from his office to the emergency department. The patient tells you that he feels fine and does not want to go to the hospital. Under these circumstances, you should: A. document the patient's request but continue to transport him. B. have the patient sign a refusal form and return him to his office. C. assess whether the patient's mental condition is impaired. D. request that the police place that patient under protective custody.

C. assess whether the patient's mental condition is impaired.

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

C. decomposition of the body's tissues.

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 general statements regarding consent is correct? A. All patients older than 18 years can legally refuse treatment or transport. 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. A patient can consent to transport but can legally refuse to be treated.

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

To help protect patients, EMS agencies are required to have ________. A. an anonymous reporting system B. online access to patient records C. public forums with their medical director D. a privacy officer to answer questions

D. a privacy officer to answer questions