NCMA Medical Law and Ethics 3

Question 1

What is the ethical principle of justice as it applies to healthcare delivery?

Accepted Answer

Treating patients fairly and equitably, distributing healthcare resources and burdens without discrimination

Answer

Keeping all patient information strictly confidential

Answer

Obtaining informed consent before procedures

Answer

Doing no harm to the patient

Question 2

A medical assistant overhears a colleague sharing a patient's diagnosis with a non-treating friend. What is the MOST ethically and legally appropriate action?

Accepted Answer

Report the breach to the Privacy Officer or supervisor and document the incident

Answer

Ignore the situation because it is not your responsibility

Answer

Confront the colleague loudly in front of other staff

Answer

Tell the patient about the breach before notifying management

Question 3

What does the ethical principle of autonomy mean in the patient care context?

Accepted Answer

The patient's right to make informed decisions about their own healthcare, including the right to refuse treatment

Answer

The physician's right to determine the best course of treatment without patient input

Answer

The medical assistant's right to refuse unethical assignments

Answer

The hospital's right to set treatment protocols

Question 4

What is a breach of confidentiality, and what is one exception that legally permits disclosure of patient information without consent?

Accepted Answer

Sharing PHI without patient authorization; mandatory reporting of communicable diseases to public health authorities is a legal exception

Answer

Sharing PHI is always illegal regardless of circumstance

Answer

Confidentiality can be waived by any employee, not just the patient

Answer

All information shared verbally is exempt from confidentiality rules

Question 5

What is the purpose of a professional code of ethics for medical assistants?

Accepted Answer

To provide a framework of moral principles guiding professional conduct, decision-making, and patient interactions that upholds the integrity of the profession

Answer

To list the legal penalties for malpractice

Answer

To define the specific clinical procedures a medical assistant may perform

Answer

To serve as a contract between the medical assistant and their employer

Question 6

What is the legal definition of assault and battery in a healthcare context?

Accepted Answer

Assault is the threat of harmful contact (patient fears a procedure without consent); battery is actual harmful or offensive touching without consent — performing a procedure after a patient refuses constitutes battery

Answer

Assault is physical harm; battery is verbal threats

Answer

Neither applies to licensed healthcare workers

Answer

Assault and battery are the same offense in medical law