AMA Mid term 2026

1. What is ambulatory care?

Healthcare provided to patients who do not need to stay overnight.

2. What is inpatient care?

Care provided to patients who are admitted to a hospital or facility, usually overnight.

3. What is tertiary care?

Specialized medical care for serious or complex conditions.

4. What is the PCMH?

Patient-Centered Medical Home; a healthcare approach focused on patient-centered, coordinated, comprehensive, accessible, quality, and safe care.

5. Who is the father of medicine?

Hippocrates.

6. What is the Hippocratic Oath?

An ethical pledge to practice medicine responsibly and put patients' well-being first.

7. What should you do when communicating with a hearing-impaired patient?

Face them, speak clearly without shouting, reduce background noise, and use written instructions if needed.

8. What is Maslow's hierarchy of needs?

• Physiological

• Safety

• Love and belonging

• Esteem

• Self-actualization

9. What are physiological needs?

Basic needs such as food, water, and shelter.

10. What are safety needs?

The need for protection, security, and safety.

11. What are the five stages of grief?

Denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance.

12. What is denial?

A defense mechanism where someone refuses to accept or believe something is happening.

13. What is autonomy?

A patient's right to make their own healthcare decisions.

14. What is beneficence?

Doing good and acting in the patient's best interest.

15. What is nonmaleficence?

Doing no harm.

16. What is justice?

Treating all patients fairly and equally.

17. What are morals?

Personal beliefs about what is right and wrong.

18. What is ethics?

Moral principles that guide decisions about right and wrong.

19. What is a breach of confidentiality?

Unauthorized access, use, or disclosure of a patient's private health information.

20. What is informed consent?

A patient's permission to undergo a procedure after receiving information about it, including risks and benefits.

21. What is an ethics committee?

A group that helps resolve difficult ethical situations and provides guidance about patient care.

22. What is an advance directive?

A legal document explaining a person's healthcare wishes if they become unable to make or communicate decisions.

23. What is a healthcare proxy?

A person chosen to make healthcare decisions for someone who cannot make them independently.

24. What is a medical durable power of attorney?

A legal document that allows someone to appoint a trusted person to make healthcare decisions if they become unable to.

25. What is an employee handbook?

A document explaining workplace policies, rules, responsibilities, and expectations.

26. What is the Civil Rights Act of 1964?

A law that prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.

27. What is the ADA?

Americans with Disabilities Act; protects people with disabilities from discrimination.

28. What is HIPAA?

A law that protects patients' private health information.

29. Which agency enforces HIPAA?

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through its Office for Civil Rights (OCR).

30. What is negligence?

Failing to provide the proper care or follow the expected standard, resulting in harm.

31. What are the four D's of negligence?

• Duty

• Dereliction

• Direct cause

• Damages

32. What is duty of care?

The responsibility to provide proper care to a patient.

33. What is malpractice?

Professional negligence by a healthcare provider that causes harm to a patient.

34. What are the two types of torts?

Intentional and unintentional.

35. What is an intentional tort?

An action done on purpose that causes harm or violates someone's rights.

36. What is an unintentional tort?

An action that causes harm without intending to, such as negligence.

37. What is assault?

Threatening or attempting unwanted physical contact that makes someone fear immediate harm.

38. What is battery?

Unwanted physical contact or treatment without the patient's consent.

39. What is a subpoena duces tecum?

A legal order requiring someone to bring specific documents or records to court.

40. What is the Stark Law?

A law that restricts physicians from referring Medicare or Medicaid patients to certain services where they have a financial interest, with some exceptions.

41. What is the Controlled Substances Act?

A federal law that regulates controlled drugs to prevent misuse and abuse.

42. What is an incident report?

A document used to record unexpected events, accidents, injuries, or errors in a healthcare facility.

43. What is contributory negligence?

When a patient's own actions contribute to their injury.

44. What is termination of the provider-patient relationship?

When a provider ends their relationship with a patient while giving proper notice to prevent patient abandonment.

45. What is an emancipated minor?

A minor who is legally considered independent from their parents or guardians.

46. What is end-of-life care?

Care focused on comfort, dignity, and quality of life for someone nearing the end of life.

47. What is a will?

A legal document explaining how someone wants their property and belongings distributed after death.

48. What is a beneficiary?

A person named to receive money, property, or benefits.

49. What is a financial durable power of attorney?

A legal document allowing someone to handle another person's financial matters if they become unable to do so.