Advance Directives and Patient Rights Flashcards
7 cards from real CHAA practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Advance Directives and Patient Rights flashcards as text
Which entity is responsible for investigating patient grievances related to violations of patient rights in a hospital setting?
Answer: The hospital's Patient Relations or Patient Advocacy department
Hospitals are required by CMS CoPs to have a process for receiving and resolving patient grievances, typically managed through a Patient Relations or Patient Advocacy department.
A patient formally complains that they were not given information about their rights at admission. This type of complaint is classified as:
Answer: A patient grievance
A written or verbal complaint by a patient or their representative about the quality of care or the violation of patient rights is defined as a patient grievance under CMS regulations.
When should the Patient Access associate ask a patient about existing advance directives?
Answer: At or before the time of each inpatient admission or outpatient surgery
The PSDA requires that information about advance directives be provided and the patient's status be inquired about at or before inpatient admission or outpatient surgery registration.
A patient refuses a blood transfusion citing religious beliefs. The attending physician believes the transfusion is medically necessary. The Patient Access associate's MOST appropriate action is to:
Answer: Document the refusal in the record and alert the clinical team and patient advocacy
A competent adult has the right to refuse treatment; the associate should document the refusal and notify appropriate clinical and advocacy staff to ensure the patient's rights are respected.
Which of the following BEST describes the role of a healthcare proxy?
Answer: An individual legally authorized to make healthcare decisions for an incapacitated patient
A healthcare proxy (also known as a healthcare agent or surrogate) is a person legally designated—typically through a Healthcare Power of Attorney—to make medical decisions on behalf of an incapacitated patient.
If a patient does NOT have an advance directive on file, which action is REQUIRED under the Patient Self-Determination Act?
Answer: Document in the medical record that the patient was offered information about advance directives
The PSDA requires that whether a patient has an advance directive be documented in the medical record, along with documentation that written information about advance directives was provided.
A patient who was previously deemed incapacitated regains decision-making capacity. Regarding their existing advance directive, which statement is TRUE?
Answer: The patient's own current decisions take precedence over the advance directive
Advance directives are only triggered by a patient's incapacity; once a patient regains decision-making capacity, their own informed decisions supersede any surrogate decisions or directive instructions.