CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) Legal and Ethical Considerations Questions and Answers

Question 1

You arrive at the scene of a collapse in a public park. The adult victim is unresponsive, not breathing, and has no pulse. Under which legal principle can you begin CPR without explicit permission?

Accepted Answer

Implied Consent

Answer

Expressed Consent

Answer

Duty to Act

Answer

Informed Refusal

Question 2

A bystander provides CPR to a stranger who has collapsed. Despite their best efforts, the victim does not survive. Which of the following is the primary purpose of Good Samaritan laws in this situation?

Accepted Answer

To protect the rescuer from legal liability as long as they acted in good faith.

Answer

To guarantee financial compensation for the rescuer's time.

Answer

To ensure all rescuers perform CPR perfectly without error.

Answer

To mandate that all citizens must provide aid in an emergency.

Question 3

A rescuer begins CPR on a victim but stops after a few minutes due to fatigue, leaving the victim before another trained person or EMS personnel arrives to take over. This action could be legally defined as:

Accepted Answer

Abandonment

Answer

Negligence

Answer

Battery

Answer

Breach of Confidentiality

Question 4

While at a restaurant, you see a conscious adult who appears to be choking. You identify yourself and offer to help, but the person, who is still able to gesture, emphatically waves you away. What is your most appropriate action?

Accepted Answer

Respect their refusal of care but call 911 and stay nearby.

Answer

Perform abdominal thrusts anyway, as it is a life-threatening emergency.

Answer

Assume they are confused and ask a family member for permission.

Answer

Leave the scene immediately to avoid any legal involvement.

Question 5

You are providing CPR in a workplace setting. A coworker arrives with a valid, official 'Do Not Resuscitate' (DNR) order for the victim. What is the correct course of action?

Accepted Answer

Stop all resuscitation efforts immediately and respect the legal order.

Answer

Ignore the DNR order because it may not be valid outside a hospital.

Answer

Continue CPR until paramedics arrive and can verify the document.

Answer

Ask the coworker to call the victim's doctor to confirm the order before stopping.

Question 6

For a rescuer to be found negligent, several conditions must be met. Which of the following is NOT considered a required element for a finding of negligence?

Accepted Answer

Pre-existing Condition (the victim had a prior medical issue)

Answer

Duty to Act (a legal or professional obligation to provide care)

Answer

Breach of Duty (the rescuer failed to act as a reasonable person would)

Answer

Causation (the rescuer's action or inaction caused the injury)

You arrive at the scene of a collapse in a public park.The adult victim is unresponsive, not breathing, and has no pulse.Under which legal principle can you begin CPR without explicit permission?

You arrive at the scene of a collapse in a public park.
The adult victim is unresponsive, not breathing, and has no pulse.
Under which legal principle can you begin CPR without explicit permission?