PARAMEDIC > CHAPTER 4 - VOCAB > Flashcards

CHAPTER 4 - VOCAB Flashcards

(60 cards)

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1
Q

Abandonment

A

Termination of medical care for the patient without giving the patient sufficient opportunity to find another qualified health care professional

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2
Q

Advance directive

A

A written or oral statement expressing a patient’s future medical care wishes (e.g., living wills, DNR orders, organ donation)

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3
Q

Assault

A

Creating in another person a fear of immediate bodily harm or invasion of bodily security

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4
Q

Battery

A

Carrying out a physical threat involving harmful, offensive, or sexual contact

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5
Q

Borrowed servant doctrine

A

Absorbs institutional liability when a member acts beyond their scope by following someone else’s orders

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6
Q

Civil lawsuit

A

An action instituted by a person or entity against another person or entity

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7
Q

Common law

A

A court decision based on interpretation of statutes or constitutions; also called case law

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8
Q

Consent

A

Agreement by the patient to accept medical intervention

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9
Q

Contributory negligence

A

Acts committed by a plaintiff that contribute to adverse outcomes

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10
Q

Criminal prosecution

A

An action by the government against a person for violation of criminal law

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11
Q

Damages

A

Compensation for injury awarded by a court

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12
Q

Decision-making capacity

A

The patient’s ability to understand and process information and the proposed treatment plan

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13
Q

Defamation

A

Intentionally making a false statement that injures someone’s reputation

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14
Q

Defendant

A

In a civil lawsuit, the person against whom a legal action is brought

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15
Q

Do not resuscitate (DNR) order

A

An advance directive specifying that no life-sustaining procedures should be performed

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16
Q

Due process

A

The right to fair legal procedures including notice and opportunity to be heard

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17
Q

Duty

A

Legal obligation for EMS or public services to respond to calls in their jurisdiction

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18
Q

Emancipated minor

A

A person younger than legal age who is treated as an adult due to other circumstances

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19
Q

EMTALA

A

A 1986 federal law to prevent patient dumping and ensure emergency treatment regardless of payment

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20
Q

Ethics

A

A set of societal values that distinguish right from wrong

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21
Q

Expressed consent

A

Informed consent provided verbally, in writing, or by actions

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22
Q

False imprisonment

A

Intentionally detaining someone without justification

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23
Q

Good Samaritan law

A

Protects bystanders who help in good faith outside a hospital

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24
Q

Gross negligence

A

Willful, reckless departure from accepted standards

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25
Health care power of attorney
Legal document allowing someone to make health care decisions for another
26
HIPAA
1996 law protecting patient health information and setting penalties for unauthorized use
27
Hostile environment
Workplace where offensive conduct makes it hard or impossible to work
28
Immunity
Legal protection from penalties under the law
29
Implied consent
Assuming a person would consent if they were able to
30
Informed consent
Patient’s voluntary agreement to treatment after full disclosure
31
In loco parentis
A designated figure making medical decisions for a minor in a parent's absence
32
Involuntary consent
Used when a figure of authority mandates treatment for an incapacitated person
33
Legal obligation
A duty enforceable by law
34
Liability
Being legally responsible for harm caused
35
Libel
Written defamation that harms reputation
36
Living will
An advance directive to withhold resuscitation when incapacitated
37
Malfeasance
An unauthorized act outside legal scope of practice
38
Medical Practice Act
Defines minimum qualifications, skills, and legal limits for healthcare professionals
39
Minor
Person under 18 without legal authority to make medical decisions
40
Misfeansance
An appropriate act performed improperly (e.g., wrong medication dose)
41
Morality
Relating to conscience and ethical conduct
42
Negligence
Failure to act as a reasonably prudent provider would
43
Negligence per se
Violation of a statute such as practicing without a license
44
Nonfeasance
Failure to perform a required act
45
Ordinary negligence
Failure to act or simple mistake causing harm
46
Palliative care
Medical care aimed at providing comfort and symptom relief
47
Patient autonomy
Right to make one’s own medical decisions
48
Plaintiff
Person bringing a civil lawsuit
49
Protected health information (PHI)
Any health data linked to a person’s care
50
Proximate cause
Direct cause of an injury leading to liability
51
Punitive damages
Monetary award for intentional or reckless acts
52
Qualified immunity
Protection unless a law or rule was clearly violated
53
Quid pro quo
Exchange of favors inappropriately offered for a workplace benefit
54
Res ipsa loquitur
Legal doctrine assuming negligence if injury wouldn’t occur otherwise
55
Scope of practice
Tasks a licensed or certified paramedic is allowed to perform
56
Slander
Spoken defamation that harms reputation
57
Standard of care
What a trained provider would reasonably do in similar circumstances
58
Statutes of limitations
Laws that limit the time a lawsuit can be filed
59
Surrogate decision maker
A designated person to make decisions for an incapacitated patient
60
Tort
A wrongful act that leads to a civil lawsuit
PARAMEDIC
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