FREE Bachelor of Health Science Medical Ethics and Law Questions and Answer
The term for performing an act that a reasonable person would not have done or failing to do something that a reasonable person would have done in the same or similar circumstances, resulting in harm to a patient, is known as...
The concept being described is called "medical negligence". It refers to a situation where a healthcare professional, such as a doctor or nurse, deviates from the standard of care expected in their profession, leading to harm or injury to a patient. This can include errors in diagnosis, treatment, surgical procedures, or general care. Medical negligence can have serious consequences for patients and may lead to legal action if it can be proven that the healthcare provider's actions or inactions caused harm to the patient.
As a psychiatrist, you find yourself in a session with a patient who expresses concerns about feeling persecuted by their boss. The patient has a history of mild schizophrenia and confides in you about planning to harm their boss in the future. Despite assuring the patient that everything discussed in the session will remain confidential, you now face an ethical dilemma. What action should you take?
As a healthcare professional, you must prioritize the safety of others over the patient's right to confidentiality. If there is a risk to another person's well-being, it is your duty to take necessary actions to protect them, even if it means breaching confidentiality. Informing law enforcement and warning the potential victim is essential to prevent harm and ensure the patient receives appropriate care and support. Failure to do so could lead to liability in case of any harm to the potential victim.
You are discussing the care of an elderly woman with her family. The patient is currently awake and alert but very ill and physically fragile. You are waiting for the results of a biopsy that may indicate cancer that has already spread throughout her body. The family requests that you inform them first about the biopsy results to avoid upsetting the patient further, as they believe there may be no hope for a cure. What should you do?
Your primary obligation is to keep the patient fully informed about her health care. Unless there is clear evidence of possible psychological harm to the patient, your duty remains with the patient, not the family. The motives of the family members are irrelevant, and their request to withhold information does not change the ethical responsibility to inform the patient first. The health-care proxy’s opinion and participation are only mandated if the patient loses decision-making capacity. As long as the patient has decision-making capacity, the proxy's opinion holds no special significance.
Which of the following is not among the four principles of biomedical ethics?
The four principles of biomedical ethics, as defined by Beauchamp and Childress, consist of autonomy, non-maleficence, beneficence, and justice.
What is an advanced directive that specifies not to perform advanced cardiac life support, CPR, etc., if a patient stops breathing or if their heart stops?
A "Do Not Resuscitate" (DNR) order is an advanced directive that instructs healthcare providers not to perform advanced cardiac life support, CPR, or other life-saving measures if a patient's heart stops or if they stop breathing.
From which principle do we derive the professional duty of "First, do no harm"?
Non-maleficence is the principle that guides healthcare professionals to avoid causing harm to patients. According to Beauchamp and Childress, it obligates us to refrain from actions that could harm others.
Medical ethics has existed since the time of _____ .
Medical ethics has been a part of the practice of medicine since the time of Hippocrates, who is often referred to as the father of medicine. Hippocrates was an ancient Greek physician who emphasized the importance of ethical principles in the practice of medicine, such as the obligation to maintain patient confidentiality, treat patients with compassion and respect, and prioritize the well-being of the patient above all else. His teachings laid the foundation for modern medical ethics, which continues to guide healthcare professionals in providing ethical and compassionate care to their patients.
As you're working at the hospital desk, a fellow hospital employee asks for information about a patient who was admitted last night due to a pulmonary embolus caused by cancer. This person claims to be a close friend and co-worker of your patient and provides proper identification as a hospital employee. What would be the most appropriate response to this request?
Maintaining patient confidentiality is a crucial aspect of respecting their autonomy and right to privacy. As a healthcare professional, you must refrain from disclosing any specific medical information about the patient without their explicit permission, even if the requester is a co-worker or superior. Only individuals directly involved in the patient's care have the right to access their medical information, and it's essential to obtain the patient's consent before releasing any information to third parties. Always have the patient sign a consent form to confirm their permission for the release of information.
How has healthcare technology integrated technology and clinical practice? Which aspects are included in this?
Healthcare technology has evolved to combine technology and clinical practice, leading to the development of various disciplines such as healthcare informatics, nursing informatics, and health information technology. These fields involve the utilization of technology to enhance patient care, improve data management, and streamline healthcare processes. By integrating advanced technology into clinical settings, healthcare professionals can make informed decisions, improve efficiency, and ultimately provide better care to patients.
While attending to patients in the clinic, you encounter two individuals dressed in dark suits and wearing sunglasses. They show you valid badges identifying them as members of a federal law enforcement agency. These individuals inform you that they are conducting a "minor investigation" related to one of your patients and request to review the patient's chart for a few minutes. They suggest that not cooperating could have consequences. What should you do in this situation?
Releasing a patient's medical records requires a clear and signed release from the patient or a court order. This rule applies to all parties, regardless of their affiliation. If the federal agents possess a valid court order, they are entitled to access the information. While the physical medical record belongs to the physician or healthcare facility, the information within it belongs to the patient, and confidentiality must be maintained. It can be likened to one's home, where entry is only permitted with permission or a court order. Our constitutional rights protect us against unlawful search and seizure of our property, including medical information.
In healthcare, utilitarian ethics is applied in which of the following?
Quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) consider the combined impact of both the duration (time) and the quality (utility) of a healthcare intervention.
What is required by the 'employer mandate' of the Affordable Care Act?
This mandate aims to ensure that a significant percentage of employees receive health insurance coverage from their employers, thus promoting better access to healthcare for workers and reducing the number of uninsured individuals in the country.
As a resident in the emergency department, you encounter an angry parent who is upset that the social worker has been questioning him about striking his 5-year-old child. The child has visited the emergency department multiple times this year with unrelated traumas and is now brought in with a burn wound on his legs, claiming to have slipped into a hot bathtub. The parent threatens to sue and asserts their love for their son. What actions should you take in this situation?
Although it's generally recommended to address issues directly with patients and their families, this approach doesn't apply when there's a strong suspicion of child abuse. Reporting child abuse is mandatory, even if based solely on suspicion. While confronting the family can be intimidating, caregivers are legally protected as long as the report is made honestly and without malice. Remember that you don't have the authority to remove the child from the parents' custody; that responsibility lies with child protective services or the courts. In cases of suspected child abuse, regardless of what the parents say, it's essential to report it.
In healthcare, autonomy is juxtaposed with which of the following?
In healthcare, autonomy is compared to paternalism, which is defined by Dworkin as the act of one individual or the state interfering with another person's decisions without their consent, with the intention of benefiting or protecting the person being interfered with.
Mary, the human resources manager at ABC Company Ltd, dismissed James, a male candidate, during the interview process because he uses hearing aids. This exemplifies which type of discrimination?
The discrimination exhibited by Mary, the human resources manager, against James, the male candidate, based on his use of hearing aids is an example of disability discrimination. This type of discrimination occurs when someone is treated unfairly or unfavorably because of their disability, which includes impairments affecting major life activities like hearing. The action taken by Mary is a violation of anti-discrimination laws that protect individuals with disabilities from such treatment in employment settings.
Which of the following must healthcare organizations adhere to when accepting patients covered by Medicare?
Healthcare organizations accepting patients covered by Medicare must comply with Medicare/Medicaid billing requirements and regulations to ensure proper reimbursement for the services provided. Medicare is a government health insurance program, and healthcare providers must follow specific guidelines and submit accurate billing information to receive reimbursement for the care they deliver to Medicare beneficiaries. Failure to comply with these requirements can result in delayed or denied payments and potential legal consequences for the healthcare organization.