EMT-B Ch. 3 Module Quiz (Medical, Legal, and Ethical Issues)

Once your ambulance is dispatched to an emergency, you have an obligation to respond. What is this called?

a. Breach of duty

b. Mandatory reporting

c. Scope of practice

d. Duty to act

d. Duty to act

You arrive at the scene of a call to find an elderly man complaining of chest pain. You introduce yourself and ask permission to examine him. He nods and extends his arm. Which type of consent is this?

a. Informed consent

b. Mature consent

c. Implied consent

d. Expressed consent

d. Expressed consent

While evaluating a noncritical patient in the field, you received a call from dispatch about a serious four-car accident. You inform the patient whom you are treating that he should have someone take him to his doctor to get checked out; you then leave to attend to the more seriously injured people. This is an example of:

a. Implied consent

b. Defamation

c. Res ipso loquitor

d. Abandonment

d. Abandonment

What is the best way to care for your patient once he tells you he does not want to go to the hospital?

a. Order the patient to go to the hospital against his wishes

b. Ask the patient to sign a refusal form, releasing you from liability

c. Get the police involved

d. Encourage the patient to call 9-1-1 again if his condition worsens

d. Encourage the patient to call 9-1-1 again if his condition worsens

The right of a patient to make decisions concerning his or her health is called:

a. Competence

b. Implied consent

c. Decision-making capacity

d. Patient autonomy

d. Patient autonomy

____________ is an obvious sign of death, which is caused by discoloration of the body from pooling of the blood to the lower parts of the body.

a. A presumptive sign

b. Dependent lividity

c. Rigor mortis

d. Putrefaction

b. Dependent lividity

You belong to a small volunteer EMS company and are treating a patient with chest pain. You believe that the administration of aspirin is indicated. You ask the patient if he is allergic to aspirin and he says no. Shortly after you administer the aspirin, the patient develops signs and symptoms of a severe allergic reaction. Later in the hospital, the doctor advises you that the patient's medical history shows that the patient has an allergy to aspirin. The patient later sues you. Which of the following is your best defense strategy?

a. Governmental immunity

b. Gross negligence

c. Statute of limitations

d. Contributory negligence

d. Contributory negligence

Which of the following should you do to avoid serious ethical or legal issues related to social media posts?

a. Only release patient information, not opinions

b. Upload photos of the scene as long as the patient is not identified

c. Display logos, uniforms, vehicles, or other markings that associate you with your agency while off duty so that people know your affiliation

d. Recognize that free speech does not mean every person has a right to say anything under any circumstances and without repercussions

d. Recognize that free speech does not mean every person has a right to say anything under any circumstances and without repercussions

Which of the following gives surrogates the right to make decisions for patients regarding their health care in the event that the patient is incapacitated and unable to make such decisions?

a. Durable power of attorney for health care

b. Emergency doctrine

c. Advance directive

d. Do not resuscitate (DNR) order

a. Durable power of attorney for health care

You have responded to a vehicle accident call. Initially, the male patient allows you to splint his broken arm and complete a primary assessment. However, he rescinds consent during transport and demands to be let out of the ambulance. If you refuse, which of the following might you be charged with?

a. Assault

b. Battery

c. Kidnapping

d. False imprisonment

d. False imprisonment