CCHP Medical-Legal and Ethical Issues 2

Question 1

A correctional nurse discovers that a colleague is falsifying medication administration records. What is the nurse's primary ethical obligation?

Accepted Answer

Report the behavior to supervisory or regulatory authorities

Answer

Ignore it to avoid workplace conflict

Answer

Confront the colleague privately and take no further action

Answer

Document the observation in personal notes only

Question 2

Under HIPAA, which of the following is a permissible disclosure of incarcerated patient health information WITHOUT authorization?

Accepted Answer

Providing records to correctional officers for legitimate security purposes

Answer

Sharing with a patient's family on request

Answer

Disclosing to media to address public safety concerns

Answer

Releasing information to employers outside the facility

Question 3

A patient in custody refuses a prescribed antipsychotic medication. The court has not issued a forced treatment order. What is the appropriate action?

Accepted Answer

Document the refusal and respect the patient's decision unless imminent danger exists

Answer

Administer the medication covertly in food

Answer

Immediately seek emergency forced medication

Answer

Discharge the patient from mental health services

Question 4

The ethical principle of 'non-maleficence' is BEST described as:

Accepted Answer

Avoiding actions that cause unnecessary harm

Answer

Treating all patients equally regardless of background

Answer

Promoting the patient's best interests

Answer

Respecting the patient's right to make decisions

Question 5

A correctional health provider is pressured by custody staff to share a patient's mental health diagnosis. Under what condition is this permissible?

Accepted Answer

Only when the information is directly necessary for the safe management of the inmate

Answer

Whenever a security officer requests it

Answer

When the warden verbally approves the disclosure

Answer

Always, because inmates have no privacy rights

Question 6

Which document serves as the primary national standard for ethical practice in correctional health care?

Accepted Answer

NCCHC Standards for Health Services in Prisons and Jails

Answer

The American Correctional Association Policy Manual

Answer

The Federal Bureau of Prisons Clinical Guidelines

Answer

The Joint Commission Accreditation Handbook

Question 7

A death-row inmate asks the correctional physician to certify he is medically fit for execution. Which ethical stance do most professional medical organizations endorse?

Accepted Answer

Physicians should refuse participation as it violates the duty not to harm

Answer

Physicians should comply because it is a legal obligation

Answer

Physicians should participate to ensure a humane death

Answer

Physicians should evaluate fitness but not report findings