Specialty Certified Medical Assistant Medical Law and Ethics

Question 1

Which federal law primarily governs the privacy of patient health information in the United States?

Accepted Answer

HIPAA

Answer

HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) establishes national standards for protecting sensitive patient health information.

Question 2

A patient requests to see their own medical records. Under HIPAA, how long does the practice have to respond?

Accepted Answer

30 days, with a possible 30-day extension

Answer

HIPAA requires covered entities to provide access to medical records within 30 days, with one 30-day extension allowed if needed.

Question 3

What is informed consent in the context of medical care?

Accepted Answer

A patient's voluntary agreement to a procedure after understanding its risks, benefits, and alternatives

Answer

Informed consent requires that the patient understand and voluntarily agree to a proposed treatment after being fully informed of relevant risks, benefits, and alternatives.

Question 4

Which of the following is an example of a HIPAA violation?

Accepted Answer

Discussing a patient's diagnosis in a crowded elevator where others may overhear

Answer

Discussing patient information in public areas where unauthorized persons may overhear is a breach of patient privacy and violates HIPAA.

Question 5

What is the legal term for unauthorized touching of a patient without consent, even if no harm results?

Accepted Answer

Battery

Answer

Battery in medical law refers to unauthorized physical contact with a patient, which can occur even without harmful intent if consent was not obtained.

Specialty Certified Medical Assistant Practice Test

Specialty Certified Medical Assistant Practice Test

Specialty Certified Medical Assistant Medical Law and Ethics