Medical Law and Ethics Flashcards

A patient's Protected Health Information (PHI) may be disclosed without authorization for:

Answer: Treatment, payment, and healthcare operations

HIPAA permits disclosure of PHI without patient authorization for treatment, payment, and healthcare operations (TPO) purposes.

An emancipated minor is one who:

Answer: Is legally independent from parental control

An emancipated minor is legally independent from parents, typically through marriage, military service, or court order, and can consent to their own medical care.

Which document outlines a patient's wishes regarding end-of-life care and does NOT designate a proxy decision-maker?

Answer: Living will

A living will specifies a patient's treatment preferences for end-of-life situations but does not name another person to make decisions.

The ethical concept of veracity in healthcare means:

Answer: Telling the truth to patients

Veracity is the ethical obligation to be truthful and honest with patients, including disclosing diagnoses, prognoses, and treatment options.

A patient asks a medical assistant to alter a chart entry. The medical assistant should:

Answer: Refuse and explain that records cannot be altered

Medical records are legal documents and must never be altered; falsifying records constitutes fraud and can result in criminal charges.

Under the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act), healthcare facilities are required to:

Answer: Make reasonable accommodations for patients with disabilities

The ADA requires healthcare facilities to make reasonable accommodations to ensure patients with disabilities have equal access to services.

If a healthcare worker accidentally views another employee's medical record out of curiosity, this is a violation of:

Answer: HIPAA minimum necessary rule

HIPAA's minimum necessary rule requires that access to PHI be limited to the minimum amount needed to accomplish the intended purpose, prohibiting curiosity-driven access.