PCT Patient Rights 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A patient has a living will that declines artificial nutrition. Their family insists on tube feeding. What governs care decisions?
- The family's wishes, since they know the patient best
- The patient's valid living will directives (Correct answer)
- The physician's clinical judgment alone
- Hospital policy on nutrition support
Correct answer: The patient's valid living will directives
A valid living will legally reflects the patient's own wishes and takes precedence over family requests.
Question 2: A PCT overhears two coworkers discussing a patient's HIV status in the break room. What should the PCT do?
- Join the conversation since they work on the unit
- Remind the coworkers this is a privacy violation and report it if it continues (Correct answer)
- Ignore the conversation
- Share the information with the patient's family
Correct answer: Remind the coworkers this is a privacy violation and report it if it continues
Discussing patients' protected health information in public areas is a HIPAA violation; the PCT should address it and report ongoing violations.
Question 3: A minor patient (age 16) is being treated without parental consent for substance abuse. Is this permitted?
- No, all minors require parental consent for any treatment
- Yes, many states allow minors to consent to substance abuse treatment without parental involvement (Correct answer)
- Only if the minor has a legal guardian
- Only in emergency situations
Correct answer: Yes, many states allow minors to consent to substance abuse treatment without parental involvement
Many states have laws allowing minors to consent to substance abuse, mental health, and reproductive health services without parental consent.
Question 4: A patient asks the PCT to explain what medications they are receiving. What is the best response?
- Provide a detailed pharmacological explanation
- Acknowledge the question and arrange for the nurse or pharmacist to explain (Correct answer)
- Tell the patient not to worry about it
- Read the medication label aloud without context
Correct answer: Acknowledge the question and arrange for the nurse or pharmacist to explain
Patients have the right to medication information; while the PCT can acknowledge the question, medication education is within the nurse or pharmacist's scope.
Question 5: Which action best demonstrates respect for a patient's cultural and spiritual rights?
- Scheduling all procedures during prayer times for efficiency
- Accommodating dietary restrictions based on religious beliefs when possible (Correct answer)
- Advising the patient to follow standard hospital protocols only
- Limiting cultural practices to designated areas
Correct answer: Accommodating dietary restrictions based on religious beliefs when possible
Respecting cultural and spiritual rights includes accommodating religious dietary needs and practices within the care plan when feasible.
Question 6: A patient is cognitively impaired and cannot make decisions independently. Who holds decision-making authority?
- The most senior nurse on shift
- The legally designated surrogate decision-maker or guardian (Correct answer)
- Any family member present
- The PCT who knows the patient best
Correct answer: The legally designated surrogate decision-maker or guardian
When a patient lacks decision-making capacity, authority passes to the legally designated surrogate (healthcare proxy, guardian, or next of kin per state law).
Question 7: A patient expresses fear that complaining will lead to worse care. What should the PCT tell them?
- Complaints do sometimes affect how staff view patients
- Patients have the right to file grievances without any retaliation (Correct answer)
- They should wait until discharge to raise concerns
- Only serious safety issues warrant a formal complaint
Correct answer: Patients have the right to file grievances without any retaliation
Federal law and patient rights standards prohibit retaliation against patients who file complaints or grievances.
PCT Patient Rights 5
A patient has a living will that declines artificial nutrition.
Their family insists on tube feeding.
What governs care decisions?