Patient Care & Ethical Standards in Neurology Flashcards

A professional interpreter is not immediately available for a Spanish-speaking stroke patient. What is the most appropriate choice?

Answer: Use a certified phone or video interpreter service

Title VI and Section 1557 require qualified interpreters, and family members, especially minors, should be avoided.

In a patient with Guillain-Barré syndrome, which finding most strongly signals the need for ICU-level care?

Answer: Falling forced vital capacity below about 20 mL/kg

Respiratory muscle weakness with a falling FVC predicts the need for mechanical ventilation.

A colleague appears impaired while caring for neurology patients. What is the ethical obligation?

Answer: Report the concern through the proper institutional channels

Clinicians have a professional duty to report impairment in order to protect patient safety.

Which practice best upholds dignity for a patient with advanced dementia who is agitated during bathing?

Answer: Use person-centered approaches: explain each step, keep the patient covered, and adjust the timing

Person-centered, nonpharmacologic strategies reduce distress and keep dignity intact.

Under federal regulations, what must happen before a patient is enrolled in a neurology clinical trial?

Answer: IRB approval and voluntary informed consent

The Common Rule requires IRB review and informed, voluntary consent from the participant or a legally authorized representative.

Withholding a terminal diagnosis because disclosure would cause the patient severe harm is called what?

Answer: Therapeutic privilege

Therapeutic privilege is a narrow, rarely justified exception to disclosure, used only when disclosure itself would seriously harm the patient.

A patient recovering from a traumatic brain injury cannot reliably recall instructions. Which discharge measure is most appropriate?

Answer: Include a caregiver, provide written instructions, and set up follow-up

Memory deficits after a TBI call for caregiver involvement and written, reinforced instructions to keep the patient safe.