Legal and Ethical Issues Flashcards
7 cards from real MACE practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Legal and Ethical Issues flashcards as text
Which action violates a resident's right to privacy during medication administration?
Answer: Discussing the resident's medications loudly in a common area
Discussing a resident's medications in a public area violates their right to privacy and confidentiality under both HIPAA and resident rights regulations.
What is the purpose of an incident report following a medication error?
Answer: To document facts for quality improvement and legal protection
Incident reports are factual documentation used for quality improvement, pattern identification, and legal protection of the facility and staff.
Scope of practice for a medication aide is primarily defined by:
Answer: State law and the employing facility's policies
Scope of practice is established by state statutes and regulations, further refined by facility policies within those legal boundaries.
A resident has a valid Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order. The medication aide finds the resident unresponsive. The aide should:
Answer: Follow the DNR order, call for the nurse, and do not initiate CPR
A valid DNR order must be honored; the aide should summon the nurse and not initiate CPR in accordance with the resident's documented wishes.
Which behavior by a medication aide represents a breach of professional boundaries?
Answer: Accepting a large cash gift from a resident
Accepting gifts of significant value from residents crosses professional boundaries and may constitute exploitation of a vulnerable adult.
A medication aide notices that a colleague frequently documents medications as given but leaves the medication on the tray. This should be reported because it represents:
Answer: Falsification of medical records and potential harm to residents
Documenting medications as administered when they were not given is falsification of medical records, a serious legal violation that endangers residents.
Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a facility must make reasonable accommodations for a resident with a disability. In medication administration, this may include:
Answer: Providing communication aids for a resident with hearing impairment when explaining medications
The ADA requires reasonable accommodations, such as communication aids, to ensure residents with disabilities can participate in their own care.