CPR Legal and Ethical Considerations 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: To give CPR to a minor child, whose consent should be sought first if a parent is present and reachable?
- The parent or legal guardian (Correct answer)
- The child
- A nearby adult
- The dispatcher
Correct answer: The parent or legal guardian
For a minor, consent should come from the parent or guardian when one is available.
Question 2: A child needs CPR but no parent is present. What allows you to act?
- Implied consent for emergencies (Correct answer)
- Court authorization
- A signed waiver
- Written parental note
Correct answer: Implied consent for emergencies
When a guardian is unavailable in a life-threatening emergency, consent to treat a minor is implied.
Question 3: Which ethical principle requires that rescuers act in the best interest of the victim?
- Beneficence (Correct answer)
- Autonomy
- Justice
- Confidentiality
Correct answer: Beneficence
Beneficence is the duty to act for the benefit and well-being of the patient.
Question 4: The ethical principle of 'do no harm' is known as what?
- Nonmaleficence (Correct answer)
- Beneficence
- Autonomy
- Veracity
Correct answer: Nonmaleficence
Nonmaleficence is the obligation to avoid causing harm to the patient.
Question 5: Respecting a patient's right to make their own care decisions reflects which principle?
- Autonomy (Correct answer)
- Beneficence
- Nonmaleficence
- Fidelity
Correct answer: Autonomy
Autonomy recognizes a competent person's right to decide what happens to their own body.
Question 6: When is it ethically appropriate to share details of a victim's medical emergency with the public?
- Only with proper authorization or legal requirement (Correct answer)
- Whenever asked
- On social media to raise awareness
- With any bystander present
Correct answer: Only with proper authorization or legal requirement
Patient confidentiality requires limiting disclosure to authorized parties or legal obligations.
Question 7: A trained healthcare provider on duty who refuses to perform CPR may face liability because they have what?
- A duty to act (Correct answer)
- Implied consent
- Good Samaritan immunity
- A waiver of liability
Correct answer: A duty to act
On-duty professionals have a legal duty to act, unlike volunteer bystanders.
CPR Legal and Ethical Considerations 3
To give CPR to a minor child, whose consent should be sought first if a parent is present and reachable?