CHP Medical Ethics & Patient Rights 3

Question 1

A physician discovers that a colleague is impaired while on duty. The physician's ethical obligation under most professional codes is to:

Accepted Answer

Report the impairment to appropriate supervisory or licensing authorities

Answer

Professional ethics require reporting an impaired colleague to protect patient safety, which takes precedence over collegial loyalty.

Question 2

Which document allows a patient to appoint someone to make healthcare decisions if the patient becomes incapacitated?

Accepted Answer

Durable power of attorney for healthcare

Answer

A durable power of attorney for healthcare designates a specific person (healthcare proxy) to make medical decisions when the patient cannot.

Question 3

A patient's right to access their own medical records under HIPAA is primarily governed by:

Accepted Answer

The Privacy Rule's individual access provision

Answer

HIPAA's Privacy Rule (45 CFR §164.524) grants individuals the right to inspect and obtain copies of their own PHI.

Question 4

A research hospital wants to use patient data for a new study. To maintain ethical standards, participants must provide:

Accepted Answer

Written informed consent that is voluntary and comprehension-based

Answer

Research ethics require prospective, voluntary, written informed consent that ensures participants understand risks and benefits.

Question 5

The ethical principle of non-maleficence most directly prohibits a provider from:

Accepted Answer

Performing unnecessary procedures that risk patient harm

Answer

Non-maleficence ('do no harm') prohibits actions that expose patients to unnecessary risk or injury without commensurate benefit.

(CHP) Certified HIPAA Professional Practice Test