Chapter 3 Workbook

Question 1

Unlawfully placing a patient in fear of bodily harm

Answer 1

Assault

Question 2

A unilateral termination of care

Answer 2

Abandonment

Question 3

A written documentation that specifies treatment

Answer 3

Advance directive

Question 4

Touching without consent

Answer 4

Battery

Question 5

A process that recognizes that a person has met set standards

Answer 5

Certification

Question 6

Being able to make rational decisions

Answer 6

Competent

Question 7

The granted permission to provide treatment or care

Answer 7

Consent

Question 8

The legal responsibility to provide care

Answer 8

Duty to act

Question 9

The philosophy of right and wrong

Answer 9

Ethics

Question 10

The specific authorization to provide care expressed by the patient

Answer 10

Expressed consent

Question 11

Confining a person who presents a significant risk to themselves or others

Answer 11

Forcible restraint

Question 12

The legal assumption that treatment was desired

Answer 12

Implied consent

Question 13

Relating to law or forensic medicine

Answer 13

Medicolegal

Question 14

The failure to provide the standard of care

Answer 14

Negligence

Question 15

The manner in which you must act or behave as an EMT

Answer 15

Standard of care

Question 16

The care that an EMT is able to provide is most commonly defined as a:
A. duty to act
B. competency
C. scope of practice
D. certification

Answer 16

C. scope of practice

Question 17

How the EMT is required to act or behave is called:
A. the standard of care
B. competency
C. the scope of practice
D. certification

Answer 17

A. the standard of care

Question 18

The process by which an individual, an institution, or a program is evaluated and recognized as meeting the minimum required standards to provide safe and ethical care is called:
A. the standard of care
B. competency
C. the scope of practice
D. certification

Answer 18

D. certification

Question 19

Negligence is based on the EMT’s duty to act, breach of duty, causation, and:
A. expressed consent
B. termination of care
C. mode of transport
D. real or perceived damages

Answer 19

D. real or perceived damages

Question 20

While treating a patient with a suspected head injury, he becomes verbally abusive and tells you to “leave me alone.” If you stop treating him, you may be guilty of:
A. neglect
B. battery
C. abandonment
D. slander

Answer 20

C. abandonment

Question 21

Good Samaritan laws generally are designed to offer protection to people who render care in good faith. They do not offer protection from:
A. properly performed CPR
B. acts of gross negligence
C. improvising splinting materials
D. providing supportive BLS to a DNR patient

Answer 21

B. acts of gross negligence

Question 22

Which of the following is generally NOT considered confidential?
A. Assessment findings
B. Treatment provided
C. A patient’s medical history
D. Billing information released to third parties

Answer 22

D. Billing information released to third parties

Question 23

An important safeguard against legal implication is:
A. responding to every call with lights and siren
B. checking ambulance equipment once a month
C. transporting every patient to an emergency department
D. writing a complete and accurate run report

Answer 23

D. writing a complete and accurate run report

Question 24

Your responsibility to provide patient care is called:
A. scope of practice
B. duty to act
C. DNR
D. standard of care

Answer 24

B. duty to act

Question 25

Which of the following is NOT considered a presumptive sign of death? A. Absence of pupil reactivity B. Profound cyanosis C. Dependent lividity D. Absence of chest rise and fall

Answer 25

C. Dependent lividity

Question 26

Definitive or conclusive signs of death that are obvious and clear to even nonmedical people include all of the following EXCEPT: A. profound cyanosis B. dependent lividity C. rigor mortis D. putrefaction

Answer 26

A. profound cyanosis

Question 27

Medical examiners' cases include all of the following EXCEPT: A. violent death B. suicide C. suspicion of a criminal act D. a physician's written orders for a DNR

Answer 27

D. a physician's written orders for a DNR

Question 28

HIPAA is the acronym for the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996. This act: A. makes ambulance services accountable for transporting patients in a safe manner B. protects the privacy of health care information and safeguards patient confidentiality C. allows health insurers to transfer an insurance policy to another carrier if a patient does not pay his or her premium D. enables emergency personnel to transfer a patient to a lower level of care when resources are scarce

Answer 28

B. protects the privacy of health care information and safeguards patient confidentiality

Question 29

Failure to provide care to a patient once you have been called to the scene is considered negligence.

Answer 29

True

Question 30

For expressed consent to be valid, the patient must be a minor.

Answer 30

False

Question 31

If a patient is unconscious and a true emergency exists, the doctrine of implied consent applies.

Answer 31

True

Question 32

EMTs can legally restrain patients against their will if they pose a threat to themselves or others.

Answer 32

True

Question 33

DNR orders give you permission not to attempt resuscitation at your discretion.

Answer 33

False

Question 34

A durable power of attorney for health care is a designated person who is authorized to make medical decisions on behalf of the patient.

Answer 34

True

Question 35

EMT textbooks are often used in court to establish standards of care.

Answer 35

True

Question 36

EMTs are not typically responsible for reporting suspected child abuse.

Answer 36

False

Question 37

When at a crime scene, you must be careful not to disturb the scene any more than absolutely necessary.

Answer 37

True

Question 38

Punitive damages are intended to compensate the plaintiff for the actual injuries sustained.

Answer 38

False

Question 39

The __________ __________ __________ outlines the care you are able to provide.

Answer 39

scope of practice

Question 40

The __________ __________ __________ is the manner in which the EMT must act when treating patients.

Answer 40

standard of care

Question 41

The legal responsibility to provide care is called the __________ __________ __________.

Answer 41

duty to act

Question 42

The determination of __________ is based on duty, breach of duty, damages, and cause.

Answer 42

negligence

Question 43

Abandonment is __________ of care without transferring that care to a medical professional who is competent to continue providing care.

Answer 43

termination

Question 44

__________ consent is given directly by an informed patient, whereas __________ consent is assumed in the unconscious patient.

Answer 44

Expressed, implied

Question 45

Unlawfully placing a person in fear of immediate harm is __________, whereas __________ is unlawfully touching a person without his or her consent.

Answer 45

assault, battery

Question 46

A(n) __________ __________ is a written document that specifies authorized treatment in case a patient becomes unable to make decisions. A written document that authorizes the EMT not to attempt resuscitation efforts is a(n) __________ __________.

Answer 46

advance directive, DNR order

Question 47

Mentally competent patients have the right to __________ __________.

Answer 47

refuse treatment

Question 48

Incidents involving child abuse, animal bites, childbirth, and assault have __________ __________ requirements in many states.

Answer 48

special reporting

Question 49

At 0200, a 17-year-old boy, accompanied by his 19-year-old girlfriend, had driven to the bar to give his father (who had been drinking large amounts of alcohol) a ride home. On the way back, they were involved in a motor vehicle collision. The boy has a large laceration with profuse bleeding on his forehead. His girlfriend is unconscious on the front passenger floor. The father is standing outside the vehicle, appearing heavily intoxicated, and is refusing care. Should the father be allowed to refuse care? A. Yes. Consent is required before care can be started. B. No. He is under the influence of drugs/alcohol and is therefore mentally incompetent. C. Yes. Consent is implied. D. No. You would be guilty of abandonment.

Answer 49

B. No. He is under the influence of drugs/alcohol and is therefore mentally incompetent.

Question 50

At 0200, a 17-year-old boy, accompanied by his 19-year-old girlfriend, had driven to the bar to give his father (who had been drinking large amounts of alcohol) a ride home. On the way back, they were involved in a motor vehicle collision. The boy has a large laceration with profuse bleeding on his forehead. His girlfriend is unconscious on the front passenger floor. The father is standing outside the vehicle, appearing heavily intoxicated, and is refusing care. Why is it permissible for you to begin treatment on the girlfriend? A. Consent is implied. B. Consent has been expressed. C. Consent was informed. D. Consent is not needed.

Answer 50

A. Consent is implied.

Question 51

At 0200, a 17-year-old boy, accompanied by his 19-year-old girlfriend, had driven to the bar to give his father (who had been drinking large amounts of alcohol) a ride home. On the way back, they were involved in a motor vehicle collision. The boy has a large laceration with profuse bleeding on his forehead. His girlfriend is unconscious on the front passenger floor. The father is standing outside the vehicle, appearing heavily intoxicated, and is refusing care. As you progress in your care for the patients, the father becomes unconscious. Can you begin/continue care for him now? A. Yes. Consent is now implied. B. No. He made his wishes known before he fell unconscious. C. No. He just needs to sleep it off. D. Yes. Unconsciousness indicates informed consent.

Answer 51

A. Yes. Consent is now implied.

Question 52

At 0200, a 17-year-old boy, accompanied by his 19-year-old girlfriend, had driven to the bar to give his father (who had been drinking large amounts of alcohol) a ride home. On the way back, they were involved in a motor vehicle collision. The boy has a large laceration with profuse bleeding on his forehead. His girlfriend is unconscious on the front passenger floor. The father is standing outside the vehicle, appearing heavily intoxicated, and is refusing care. With the son being a minor, what is the best way to gain consent to begin care when his father has an altered mental status or is unconscious? A. Due to his father being intoxicated, he is emancipated and can provide consent. B. Call his grandparents for consent. C. It is a true emergency, so consent is implied. D. You are covered under the Good Samaritan laws.

Answer 52

C. It is a true emergency, so consent is implied.

Question 53

Short Answer In many states, certain conditions allow an emancipated minor to be treated as an adult for the purpose of consenting to medical treatment. Give three examples of emancipated minors.

Answer 53

Member of the armed services, married, a parent, or pregnant

Question 54

Short Answer When does your responsibility as an EMT for patient care end?

Answer 54

You must continue to care for the patient until the patient is transferred to another medical professional of equal or higher skill level or another medical facility.

Question 55

Short Answer There will be some instances when you will not be able to persuade the patient, guardian, or parent of a minor child or mentally incompetent patient to proceed with treatment. List the steps you should take to protect all parties involved.

Answer 55

1. Obtain the refusing party’s signature on an official medical release form that acknowledges refusal. 2. Obtain a signature from a witness of the refusal. 3. Keep the refusal form with the incident report. 4. Note the refusal on the incident report. 5. Keep a department copy of the records for future reference.

Question 56

Short Answer List the two rules of thumb that courts consider regarding reports and records.

Answer 56

1. If an action or procedure is not documented, it did not happen. 2. Incomplete or untidy records are evidence of incomplete or inexpert medical care.

Question 57

Short Answer List the four elements that must be present for the legal doctrine of negligence to apply.

Answer 57

1. Duty 2. Breach of duty 3. Damages 4. Causation

Question 58

Ambulance Calls You are dispatched to a girl complaining of abdominal pain. You arrive to find the 17-year-old girl crying and holding her abdomen. She tells you that she fell down the stairs and that she is pregnant. She is not sure how long she's been pregnant, but she is experiencing cramping and spotting. She asks you not to tell anyone and says that if you tell her parents, then she will refuse transport to the hospital. What do you do?

Answer 58

This patient needs to be evaluated at the hospital. Her parents will likely feel a right to be informed of their child’s medical conditions and medical care. Laws regarding the reproductive rights of minors vary from state to state. Some states allow minors to make decisions regarding birth control, prenatal care, or pregnancy termination without consenting parents, whereas others do not. You must know your local laws. You will have to provide information regarding the pregnancy to other health care providers directly involved in her care, and you should explain that fact and the necessity of such to the patient. Be tactful. Don’t unnecessarily break your patient’s trust by immediately sharing this knowledge with her parents. Document carefully and consult medical control.

Question 59

Ambulance Calls You are off-duty when you see a child injured while riding his bike. You examine him and find abrasions on both knees but no other injuries. He needs help getting to his house up the street. He tells you that his mother is not home, but his grandfather is (although he is bedridden). Looking through the window, you see the house is full of clothing, garbage, and papers. What do you do?

Answer 59

The duty to act in this situation may vary from state to state; however, from an ethical perspective, you did the right thing by stopping to help the child. Once you have initiated care, you must ensure that the child’s parent(s) or legal guardian is notified. Although the grandfather is home, you now have another dilemma. The condition of the house/capability of the grandfather to care for the child while the mother is away is such that the question of neglect arises. You should speak with the grandfather and attempt to contact the mother of the child. If you believe that neglect or abuse of a child is occurring, then you are most likely legally required to intervene (most states require this by law). You should notify law enforcement and/or child protective services in accordance with your local statutes.

Question 60

Ambulance Calls It is late at night when the police summon you to a motor vehicle collision. On arrival, the officer directs you to the back of his patrol car. Sitting on the seat is your patient, snoring loudly with blood covering his face. The officer states that the patient was involved in a drunk-driving accident in which he hit his head on the rearview mirror. The patient initially refused care at the scene. You were called because his wound continues to bleed. Assessment reveals a sleeping 56-year-old man with a deep, gaping wound over the right eye with moderate bleeding. During assessment, the patient wakes suddenly and pushes you away. He tells you to leave him alone. What actions are necessary in the management of this situation?

Answer 60

Assess the patient’s mental status. If he is intoxicated or has an altered mental status, he is treated under implied consent. If he is alert and oriented, you may attempt to talk him into being treated by explaining what you feel is necessary and what may happen if he does not receive care. If he has an altered mental status, orders from medical control may be obtained to restrain the patient with the help of law enforcement and to transport him to the hospital.