Professional Ethics Flashcards
7 cards from real AMCA practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Professional Ethics flashcards as text
A medical assistant is asked by a friend to look up a mutual acquaintance's medical records out of curiosity. The assistant should:
Answer: Refuse, as accessing records without a care-related need violates HIPAA
Accessing patient records without a legitimate care-related need is a HIPAA violation regardless of the requestor's relationship.
Which of the following best describes 'fidelity' as an ethical principle in healthcare?
Answer: Keeping promises and honoring commitments to patients
Fidelity means being faithful to commitments and keeping promises made to patients and colleagues.
A minor presents alone requesting birth control. The medical assistant's most appropriate action is to:
Answer: Follow state law and facility policy regarding minor consent for reproductive health services
Many states allow minors to consent to certain reproductive health services; the assistant must follow applicable state law and facility policy.
What is the primary purpose of a professional code of ethics in healthcare?
Answer: To guide professionals in making morally sound decisions in patient care
A professional code of ethics provides standards and guidelines for ethical decision-making in clinical practice.
A patient with a terminal diagnosis asks the medical assistant not to tell family members about the prognosis. The assistant should:
Answer: Respect the patient's wishes and communicate this to the care team
A competent adult patient has the right to control disclosure of their own health information, and the care team must honor this.
Dual relationships in healthcare — such as treating close personal friends — are ethically problematic primarily because:
Answer: They create conflicts of interest that can compromise objective, professional care
Personal relationships can impair professional judgment and objectivity, compromising the standard of care.
When a patient is unable to make decisions due to incapacity, healthcare decisions are made by:
Answer: A legally designated surrogate or healthcare proxy
When a patient lacks decision-making capacity, a legally designated surrogate or healthcare proxy assumes responsibility for medical decisions.