EMT EMT Legal and Ethical Issues

Question 1

What legal doctrine allows an EMT to treat an unconscious patient without explicit consent?

Accepted Answer

Implied consent

Answer

Implied consent assumes that an unconscious or incapacitated patient would consent to life-saving treatment if they were able to do so.

Question 2

A competent adult patient has the right to:

Accepted Answer

Refuse medical treatment

Answer

Competent adults have the legal right to refuse any medical treatment, including transport, even if that refusal may harm them.

Question 3

A Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order instructs EMTs to:

Accepted Answer

Withhold resuscitative measures as specified

Answer

A valid DNR directs EMS providers to withhold the specific resuscitative interventions (such as CPR) listed in the order.

Question 4

The term for unauthorized touching of a patient without consent is:

Accepted Answer

Battery

Answer

Battery is the unlawful physical contact with another person without consent, even if no harm results.

Question 5

Abandonment in EMS occurs when:

Accepted Answer

An EMT discontinues care without transferring to an equal or higher level provider

Answer

Abandonment is the termination of the EMT-patient relationship without ensuring that care is continued by a provider of equal or greater competency.

(EMT) Emergency Medical Technician Practice Test