NREMT Ethical Considerations & Legal Responsibilities

Question 1

What does consent mean in EMS?

Accepted Answer

Patient gives permission for care

Answer

Patient refuses care.

Answer

Provider acts without permission.

Answer

Court orders care.

Question 2

What is implied consent?

Accepted Answer

Assumed when patient can't give consent

Answer

Written consent.

Answer

Verbal refusal.

Answer

Parental consent only.

Question 3

What is abandonment?

Accepted Answer

Leaving a patient without proper transfer

Answer

Properly transferring care.

Answer

Handing off to hospital staff.

Answer

Documenting patient care.

Question 4

What is negligence?

Accepted Answer

Failing to provide reasonable care causing harm

Answer

Providing extra care.

Answer

Acting heroically.

Answer

Following protocols.

Question 5

What is the purpose of a patient care report (PCR)?

Accepted Answer

Record patient condition and care

Answer

Store billing information only.

Answer

Keep track of vehicle mileage.

Answer

Monitor responder work hours.

Question 6

What does HIPAA protect?

Accepted Answer

Patient confidentiality

Answer

Equipment standards.

Answer

Responder uniforms.

Answer

Vehicle insurance.

Question 7

What is duty to act?

Accepted Answer

Legal obligation to provide care when on duty

Answer

Optional assistance.

Answer

Only hospital staff obligations.

Answer

Volunteer support only.

Question 8

What is a DNR order?

Accepted Answer

Order to withhold CPR if patient arrests

Answer

Order to resuscitate everyone.

Answer

Permission to terminate care anytime.

Answer

Transport without consent.

Question 9

What should EMS providers do if a patient refuses care?

Accepted Answer

Explain risks and document refusal

Answer

Force treatment.

Answer

Ignore the refusal.

Answer

Leave without documenting.