EMS Professional Ethics & Communication 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A pediatric patient is 14 years old and refuses care while a parent is demanding treatment. Who has legal authority to make the medical decision?
- The parent, as the minor's legal guardian (Correct answer)
- The patient, because they are a teenager
- Medical direction alone
- The EMT based on clinical judgment
Correct answer: The parent, as the minor's legal guardian
Minors cannot legally consent to or refuse medical care; a parent or legal guardian holds decision-making authority except in emergencies.
Question 2: Non-malfeasance as an EMS ethical principle means:
- Avoiding actions that cause unnecessary harm to the patient (Correct answer)
- Treating all patients equally regardless of background
- Keeping promises made to patients and families
- Acting in the patient's best interest at all times
Correct answer: Avoiding actions that cause unnecessary harm to the patient
Non-malfeasance, derived from 'first, do no harm,' obligates EMS providers to avoid interventions that cause unnecessary harm.
Question 3: When communicating with a patient who speaks limited English, the best approach is to:
- Use an interpreter service or trained medical interpreter (Correct answer)
- Speak louder and more slowly in English
- Use hand gestures exclusively
- Have a family member translate all medical information
Correct answer: Use an interpreter service or trained medical interpreter
Professional interpreter services ensure accurate translation of medical information and protect against miscommunication that could affect patient care.
Question 4: An EMT discovers a living will in a patient's home indicating DNR status. The patient is now in cardiac arrest. What should the EMT do?
- Withhold resuscitation if the DNR is valid and properly executed per state law (Correct answer)
- Begin CPR because the scene is chaotic and the DNR may not be valid
- Contact medical direction and await instructions before acting
- Begin CPR since verbal confirmation from family is needed
Correct answer: Withhold resuscitation if the DNR is valid and properly executed per state law
A properly executed DNR or advance directive must be honored; EMTs should follow state protocols for verifying and honoring such documents.
Question 5: Which action by an EMT constitutes abandonment?
- Leaving a patient who requires ongoing care without transferring responsibility to an equal or higher level of provider (Correct answer)
- Declining a non-emergency call during meal break
- Completing a call report after transferring care
- Requesting a supervisor during a difficult call
Correct answer: Leaving a patient who requires ongoing care without transferring responsibility to an equal or higher level of provider
Abandonment occurs when care is terminated without ensuring continuity through transfer to an appropriate provider.
Question 6: When documenting a patient care report, which standard must be maintained?
- Accuracy, objectivity, and completeness without personal opinions (Correct answer)
- Use of abbreviations to save time
- Only documenting treatment, not assessment findings
- Including suspicions about the patient's behavior without evidence
Correct answer: Accuracy, objectivity, and completeness without personal opinions
PCRs are legal documents and must be accurate, objective, and complete to support quality care and legal protection.
Question 7: Justice as an EMS ethical principle primarily means:
- Treating all patients fairly and distributing resources equitably (Correct answer)
- Preventing harm to the patient
- Telling patients the truth about their condition
- Acting within the scope of practice at all times
Correct answer: Treating all patients fairly and distributing resources equitably
Justice in medical ethics requires fair treatment of all patients and equitable distribution of care resources regardless of personal characteristics.
EMS Professional Ethics & Communication 3
A pediatric patient is 14 years old and refuses care while a parent is demanding treatment.
Who has legal authority to make the medical decision?