Exam One Prep

Legislative Branch

Creates laws (e.g., Congress).

Executive Branch

Enforces laws (e.g., President and federal agencies).

Judicial Branch

Interprets laws and resolves disputes (e.g., Supreme Court, lower courts).

Duty of Care

PCTs are legally obligated to provide competent and appropriate care to patients.

Informed Consent

PCTs must ensure patients understand and agree to procedures and treatments.

Confidentiality

PCTs must protect patient information from unauthorized disclosure.

Professional Conduct

PCTs are expected to act in a manner consistent with their training and ethical standards.

Patient Safety

Ensures that care provided is effective and minimizes harm.

Legal Protection

Adherence to standards helps avoid legal liability.

Quality of Care

Promotes high-quality, consistent, and reliable care.

Trust

Builds and maintains trust between patients and healthcare providers.

Negligence

Failure to provide the standard of care resulting in patient harm.

Malpractice

Professional misconduct or failure to meet professional standards.

HIPAA Privacy Rule

Protects the privacy and security of patient health information.

Follow Protocols

Adhere strictly to established healthcare procedures and guidelines.

Document Carefully

Keep accurate and detailed records of patient care and interactions.

Communicate Clearly

Ensure clear and documented communication with patients and other healthcare professionals.

Advance Directives

Legal documents that specify a patient's preferences for medical treatment.

Ethical Behavior

Adheres to moral principles and professional standards.

Unethical Behavior

Violates moral principles or professional standards.

Code of Ethics

A formal document outlining the ethical principles and standards expected of professionals.

PCT’s Role in Reporting Unethical Behavior

PCTs are obligated to report any observed unethical behavior or violations of standards.

Patient Autonomy

Balancing respect for patient decisions with medical recommendations.

Subjective Data

Patient’s self-report of pain, including intensity and quality.

Objective Data

Physical signs and behavioral indicators observed during pain assessment.

Pain Assessment

Integrated into routine evaluations alongside traditional vital signs.

Fatigue

Can heighten the perception of pain by reducing the body’s ability to cope.

Sleep Disturbance

Impairs pain threshold and exacerbates discomfort.

Depression

Alters pain perception and can lower the pain threshold.

Numeric Rating Scale (NRS)

Rates pain from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst possible pain).

Visual Analog Scale (VAS)

A line scale where patients mark their pain level.

Wong-Baker FACES Pain Rating Scale

Uses facial expressions to represent different pain levels.

Methods for Pain Control

Includes medications, physical therapy, and cognitive behavioral therapy.

Sleep Cycle

Comprises NREM and REM sleep stages.

Signs of Sleep Deprivation

Includes excessive daytime sleepiness and irritability.