Medical Ethics & Patient Rights Flashcards

A prosthetic technician overhears a colleague sharing a patient's diagnosis with an unauthorized staff member. What is the most appropriate first step?

Answer: Report the breach to the privacy officer or supervisor

HIPAA requires workforce members to report suspected privacy breaches to the appropriate privacy officer or supervisor.

Which ethical principle obligates a prosthetic technician to act in the patient's best interest, even when it conflicts with convenience?

Answer: Beneficence

Beneficence is the duty to promote patient well-being and act in their best interest.

A patient refuses to use the prescribed prosthetic component because of cultural beliefs. How should the technician respond?

Answer: Respect the patient's decision while documenting the refusal

Patient autonomy includes the right to refuse treatment; the technician should document and respect this decision.

Under HIPAA's Minimum Necessary Standard, a prosthetic technician should disclose:

Answer: Only the PHI required to accomplish the intended purpose

The Minimum Necessary Standard limits PHI disclosure to only what is needed for the specific purpose.

Which situation represents a conflict of interest that a prosthetic technician must disclose?

Answer: Receiving financial incentives from a component manufacturer

Financial relationships with manufacturers can bias recommendations and must be disclosed to maintain ethical practice.

What does the ethical concept of 'justice' require of a prosthetic technician?

Answer: Treating all patients with equal skill and without discrimination

Justice in healthcare ethics requires fair and nondiscriminatory treatment of all patients.

A legally competent adult patient signs a consent form but later verbally withdraws consent mid-procedure. What should the technician do?

Answer: Stop immediately and honor the withdrawal of consent

Patients may withdraw consent at any time, and the technician must stop and respect that decision.