PCT Ethics and Legal Considerations 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A patient's family member asks the PCT for details about the patient's diagnosis. What is the correct response?
- Share the information since they are family
- Refer the family member to the nurse or physician (Correct answer)
- Tell them to check the patient's chart
- Provide only general information
Correct answer: Refer the family member to the nurse or physician
Patient health information is protected by HIPAA, and the PCT should direct inquiries about diagnosis and treatment to licensed providers who can verify authorization.
Under HIPAA, only authorized personnel with a need to know may access patient information. Family members must be verified as authorized contacts. The PCT should politely direct them to the nurse or physician who can determine what information may be shared based on the patient's consent and facility policy.
Question 2: What does the term 'informed consent' mean?
- The patient signs any form presented by hospital staff
- The patient receives adequate information about a procedure and voluntarily agrees to it (Correct answer)
- The PCT explains the procedure and obtains the patient's signature
- Consent given by a family member on behalf of an alert patient
Correct answer: The patient receives adequate information about a procedure and voluntarily agrees to it
Informed consent requires that the patient receive clear information about the procedure, risks, benefits, and alternatives before voluntarily agreeing.
Informed consent is a legal and ethical requirement with three components: disclosure (the provider explains the procedure, risks, benefits, and alternatives), comprehension (the patient understands the information), and voluntariness (the patient agrees without coercion). Only licensed providers obtain informed consent; PCTs may witness signatures.
Question 3: A PCT discovers a coworker posting patient photos on social media. What action should be taken?
- Ignore it if the patient's name is not visible
- Like the post to show support
- Report the violation to a supervisor immediately (Correct answer)
- Ask the coworker to delete it privately
Correct answer: Report the violation to a supervisor immediately
Posting patient photos on social media is a serious HIPAA violation that must be reported to a supervisor for proper handling.
Social media sharing of patient images violates HIPAA regardless of whether the name is visible—patients can be identified by their appearance, room, or other contextual details. The PCT has an obligation to report this to a supervisor. Penalties for HIPAA violations include termination, fines up to $50,000 per violation, and potential criminal charges.
Question 4: An advance directive is a legal document that:
- Authorizes the PCT to make treatment decisions
- Specifies the patient's wishes for medical treatment if they become unable to communicate (Correct answer)
- Must be signed by two physicians to be valid
- Can only be created while the patient is hospitalized
Correct answer: Specifies the patient's wishes for medical treatment if they become unable to communicate
An advance directive documents a patient's treatment preferences and designates a healthcare proxy for situations where the patient cannot speak for themselves.
Advance directives include living wills (specifying desired treatments) and durable power of attorney for healthcare (naming a decision-maker). They are created by competent adults before incapacity occurs and must be honored by healthcare providers. PCTs should check the chart for advance directives and report them to the nurse.
Question 5: Which action by a PCT would be considered a breach of patient confidentiality?
- Reporting a change in vital signs to the nurse
- Discussing a patient's condition in the elevator with a colleague (Correct answer)
- Documenting care provided in the patient's chart
- Giving a report to the oncoming shift PCT
Correct answer: Discussing a patient's condition in the elevator with a colleague
Discussing patient information in public areas where unauthorized individuals may overhear is a breach of confidentiality.
Patient confidentiality breaches occur when protected health information is shared in settings where unauthorized individuals can overhear—elevators, hallways, cafeterias, or waiting areas. Legitimate information sharing (nurse reports, charting, shift handoffs) in private settings is appropriate and necessary for patient care.
Question 6: A competent adult patient refuses a recommended treatment. The PCT should:
- Administer the treatment anyway for the patient's safety
- Restrain the patient and call the physician
- Respect the patient's right to refuse and document the refusal (Correct answer)
- Convince the patient to accept by describing worst-case outcomes
Correct answer: Respect the patient's right to refuse and document the refusal
Competent adults have the legal right to refuse any treatment, and healthcare workers must respect that decision while ensuring proper documentation.
The principle of autonomy guarantees competent adults the right to refuse any treatment, even life-saving interventions. Performing treatment against a patient's wishes constitutes battery. The PCT should notify the nurse, who will ensure the refusal is documented with the patient's signature and that the physician is informed.
PCT Ethics and Legal Considerations 2
A patient's family member asks the PCT for details about the patient's diagnosis.
What is the correct response?