Legal & Ethical Responsibilities Flashcards
9 cards from real MAC practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 9 Legal & Ethical Responsibilities flashcards as text
What does patient confidentiality mean?
Answer: Protecting patient information
Patient confidentiality is a fundamental ethical and legal principle in healthcare. It means safeguarding all personal health information from unauthorized access or disclosure, ensuring patient privacy and trust. Sharing details with coworkers or talking about patients in public violates this principle.
Which law protects patient health information?
Answer: HIPAA
HIPAA, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, is a federal law specifically designed to protect sensitive patient health information from being disclosed without the patient's consent or knowledge. It sets national standards for the security of electronic protected health information (ePHI) and governs how healthcare providers handle patient data.
What should you do if you're unsure about a medication order?
Answer: Clarify with a nurse
Patient safety is paramount in medication administration. If a Certified Medication Attendant (MAC) is unsure about a medication order, it is crucial to clarify with a licensed nurse or the prescribing physician. Guessing or ignoring concerns can lead to serious medication errors and harm to the patient.
What is informed consent?
Answer: Permission with full understanding
Informed consent means a patient has been given all necessary information about a medical procedure, treatment, or medication, including its purpose, risks, benefits, and alternatives, and has freely agreed to it. This ensures the patient can make autonomous decisions about their own healthcare based on a complete understanding.
Why should MACs avoid giving advice about medications?
Answer: To prevent legal risks
Certified Medication Attendants (MACs) are trained to administer medications, not to provide medical advice or counseling. Giving advice about medications can exceed their scope of practice, potentially leading to incorrect information, patient harm, and significant legal liabilities for both the MAC and their employer.
Which of the following is considered unethical behavior?
Answer: Falsifying medication records
Falsifying medication records is a severe breach of ethics and a legal offense. It involves intentionally altering or creating false documentation, which can endanger patients by misrepresenting their care and undermining the integrity of the healthcare system. Accurate and honest documentation is essential for patient safety and accountability.
What should you do if you make a medication error?
Answer: Report it to the nurse immediately
If a medication error occurs, the immediate priority is patient safety and transparency. Reporting the error to the nurse immediately allows for prompt assessment of the patient's condition, implementation of corrective actions, and proper documentation, which is crucial for preventing further harm and improving safety protocols.
Which action promotes ethical care?
Answer: Respecting patient dignity
Respecting patient dignity is a cornerstone of ethical care. It involves treating patients with kindness, empathy, and regard for their autonomy and personal values, regardless of their condition or background. This promotes trust, fosters a positive care environment, and upholds the patient's fundamental rights.
When are MACs legally allowed to administer medication?
Answer: When authorized and supervised
Certified Medication Attendants (MACs) operate under specific legal and regulatory frameworks. They are only permitted to administer medication when they have received proper training and certification, are authorized by their facility, and are working under the direct or indirect supervision of a licensed nurse or other qualified healthcare professional.