Ethics, Legal Issues, and Ethical Dilemmas in Respiratory Care

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards highlighting essential ethical principles, legal concepts, and professional responsibilities for respiratory therapists.

Ethics

A branch of philosophy concerned with how we should act, emphasizing respect for the humanity of persons.

Code of Ethics

A set of rules and principles that guides professional conduct and ensures effective, caring service to the public.

AARC Statement of Ethics and Professional Conduct

Professional guidelines issued by the American Association for Respiratory Care outlining expected ethical behavior for RTs.

Autonomy

Ethical principle recognizing a patient’s personal liberty and right to decide their own course of treatment.

Informed Consent

Process in which patients receive complete information about a procedure’s risks and benefits before voluntarily agreeing.

Veracity

Obligation of healthcare providers to be truthful with patients about all aspects of care.

Benevolent Deception

Withholding information from a patient for their perceived good—generally considered unethical under veracity.

Nonmaleficence

Ethical principle requiring healthcare providers to avoid causing harm to patients.

Beneficence

Ethical duty to actively contribute to the health and well-being of patients.

Advanced Directives

Legal documents stating a patient’s wishes for medical care when they are no longer able to communicate decisions.

Confidentiality

Duty to protect a patient’s private health information, even after death.

Protected Health Information (PHI)

Any individually identifiable health data covered under HIPAA privacy rules.

Justice

Ethical principle involving the fair distribution of healthcare resources.

Distributive Justice

Fair allocation of scarce healthcare services among a population.

Compensatory Justice

Recovery of damages caused by another’s action, such as medical malpractice.

Role Duty

Understanding and adhering to the limits of one’s professional responsibilities.

Formalism

Ethical viewpoint judging acts by adherence to rules or principles rather than consequences.

Consequentialism

Ethical theory evaluating actions based on their outcomes or consequences.

Principle of Utility

Consequentialist idea that the best action promotes the greatest good for the greatest number.

Virtue Ethics

Approach focusing on the character traits of a moral agent rather than rules or outcomes.

Intuitionism

Ethical view holding that certain moral truths are self-evident, such as treating others fairly.

Rule Utilitarianism

Mixed ethical approach asking which rule, rather than which act, creates the greatest overall good.

Ethical Decision-Making Model

Eight-step framework for resolving ethical issues, from identifying the problem to evaluating outcomes.

Incident Report

Documentation of an adverse event to protect the institution and identify system improvements.

Public Law

Branch of law dealing with relationships between individuals and the state; includes criminal and administrative law.

Criminal Law

Area of public law addressing acts that threaten public welfare or safety.

Administrative Law

Regulations created by government agencies that professionals, including RTs, must follow.

Civil Law

Legal system protecting private citizens and organizations from unfair actions by others.

Tort Law

Category of civil law involving wrongs against individuals or property, providing remedies through courts.

Negligent Tort

Civil wrong resulting from failure to exercise reasonable care, leading to patient injury.

Intentional Tort

Civil wrong committed with intent to cause harm, such as assault or defamation.

Strict Liability

Legal doctrine imposing liability without fault, often applied to manufacturers of defective products.

Breach of Contract

Failure to perform agreed-upon services competently, potentially causing patient injury.

Professional Negligence

Failure of a licensed professional to provide the standard of care expected in similar circumstances.

Malpractice

Professional misconduct or unreasonable lack of skill; includes criminal, civil, and ethical forms.

Respondeat Superior

Legal doctrine holding employers (or supervising physicians) liable for employees’ actions performed within scope of work.

Failure to Supervise

Legal theory asserting liability when adequate oversight of healthcare workers is lacking.

Scope of Practice

Defined procedures, actions, and processes that a licensed professional is authorized to perform.

Professional Licensure

State-granted legal permission to practice a profession after meeting established qualifications.

National Labor Relations Act (NLRA)

Law protecting employees engaging in collective activities for mutual benefit, even without a union.

Protected Concerted Activity

Employee actions aimed at improving work conditions for a group, safeguarded by the NLRA.

HIPAA

1996 law establishing privacy and security standards for identifiable health information.

Quality Review Processes

Institutional procedures designed to reduce errors and minimize liability risk.

Standard of Care

Level of practice expected of reasonably competent professionals in similar circumstances.

Rationing of Care

Limiting healthcare services due to scarce resources or cost constraints.

Corporate Influence

Impact of organizational financial or policy interests on clinical decision-making.

Respiratory Care Practitioner (RCP)

Credentialed professional providing respiratory therapy, expected to demonstrate respect, compassion, and professionalism.