BLS Legal & Ethical Considerations 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A healthcare provider fails to initiate CPR on a patient with a treatable cardiac arrest and the patient dies. This could constitute:
- Assault
- Negligence by omission (Correct answer)
- Battery
- Informed consent violation
Correct answer: Negligence by omission
Negligence by omission occurs when a provider fails to perform a duty of care that a reasonably prudent provider would have performed.
Question 2: Which scenario represents 'battery' in a BLS context?
- Performing CPR on a patient who has a valid DNR and competently refused resuscitation (Correct answer)
- Failing to call 911 after witnessing a cardiac arrest
- Providing CPR incorrectly and breaking a rib
- Stopping CPR before the patient is stabilized
Correct answer: Performing CPR on a patient who has a valid DNR and competently refused resuscitation
Battery is intentional, unconsented touching; performing CPR on a patient with a valid DNR constitutes battery.
Question 3: What is the primary purpose of documentation after a BLS intervention in a professional healthcare setting?
- To justify billing for services rendered
- To provide a legal and clinical record of the care delivered (Correct answer)
- To satisfy peer review requirements only
- To prove the rescuer was present at the scene
Correct answer: To provide a legal and clinical record of the care delivered
Accurate documentation creates a legal record, supports continuity of care, and demonstrates adherence to the standard of care.
Question 4: A first responder arrives to find bystanders performing CPR on a patient who has a valid DNR order in hand. The first responder should:
- Continue CPR to maintain care continuity regardless of the DNR
- Confirm the DNR is valid, then discontinue CPR (Correct answer)
- Wait for medical direction before acknowledging the DNR
- Ignore the DNR since care has already been initiated
Correct answer: Confirm the DNR is valid, then discontinue CPR
A valid DNR order legally supersedes bystander CPR; the licensed provider must verify the document and stop resuscitation.
Question 5: Which factor would most likely establish that a BLS rescuer met the 'standard of care'?
- The patient survived the cardiac arrest
- The rescuer followed current AHA BLS guidelines (Correct answer)
- The rescuer had the most advanced equipment available
- The rescue took place in a hospital setting
Correct answer: The rescuer followed current AHA BLS guidelines
The standard of care is defined by what a similarly trained rescuer would do; following current guidelines establishes this benchmark.
Question 6: A patient with terminal cancer and a valid POLST form requesting 'comfort measures only' experiences cardiac arrest at home. The appropriate BLS response is:
- Initiate full CPR until EMS confirms the POLST is valid
- Honor the POLST, withhold CPR, and focus on comfort care (Correct answer)
- Apply an AED only, as defibrillation is not CPR
- Begin CPR but withhold ventilations per the POLST
Correct answer: Honor the POLST, withhold CPR, and focus on comfort care
A valid POLST ordering comfort measures only legally directs providers to withhold CPR and resuscitative interventions.
Question 7: Which best describes the ethical concept of 'veracity' as it applies to BLS providers?
- Ensuring fair allocation of emergency resources
- Being truthful with patients and families about outcomes and care (Correct answer)
- Acting with urgency during a cardiac emergency
- Maintaining patient confidentiality after a resuscitation attempt
Correct answer: Being truthful with patients and families about outcomes and care
Veracity obligates providers to be honest with patients and families, including truthful communication about resuscitation outcomes.
BLS Legal & Ethical Considerations 5
A healthcare provider fails to initiate CPR on a patient with a treatable cardiac arrest and the patient dies.
This could constitute: