Legal and Ethics Flashcards
7 cards from real Phlebotomy Test practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Legal and Ethics flashcards as text
A phlebotomist discovers a needle stick injury occurred during a draw. The first legal obligation is to:
Answer: Report the incident immediately per employer exposure control plan and seek medical evaluation
OSHA regulations require immediate reporting of needle stick injuries and medical evaluation under the employer's exposure control plan.
A patient requests a copy of their own lab results. Under HIPAA, the covered entity must generally provide access within:
Answer: 30 days (with a possible 30-day extension)
HIPAA requires covered entities to provide patients access to their health records within 30 days, extendable by another 30 days with notice.
Which legal term describes a written false statement that damages a person's reputation?
Answer: Libel
Libel refers to defamation in written or published form, while slander refers to spoken defamation.
Ethical non-maleficence in phlebotomy practice means:
Answer: Avoiding actions that cause unnecessary harm to the patient
Non-maleficence obligates healthcare workers to avoid causing harm, including unnecessary pain or risk during procedures.
A phlebotomist is asked by a law enforcement officer to draw blood from an unconscious DUI suspect without a warrant. The phlebotomist should:
Answer: Decline unless a valid warrant or applicable legal exception is presented, and consult with a supervisor
Following the Missouri v. McNeely Supreme Court ruling, warrantless blood draws generally require patient consent or a recognized legal exception; consult institutional policy and supervision.
Which of the following constitutes proper patient identification before a blood draw?
Answer: Verbally confirming name and checking at least two patient identifiers such as name and date of birth against the requisition
Two-identifier verification using name and a second identifier such as date of birth is the standard to prevent specimen mix-ups.
In the context of phlebotomy ethics, 'justice' primarily refers to:
Answer: Fair and equitable treatment of all patients regardless of background
Justice as an ethical principle requires providing impartial, equitable care to all patients without discrimination.