Legal and Ethical Considerations Flashcards

What is the QMA's responsibility if they realize they are not competent to safely administer a particular type of insulin device?

Answer: Refuse the task and immediately notify the supervising nurse

A QMA must recognize their own competency limits and refuse unsafe tasks, immediately notifying the nurse to ensure the resident receives safe care.

Which action violates a resident's right to self-determination?

Answer: Forcing insulin administration against the resident's expressed refusal

Forcing treatment on a competent resident who has refused it violates the legal and ethical right to self-determination and may constitute assault.

What is the purpose of the 'five rights plus two' of medication administration from a legal standpoint?

Answer: To provide a systematic check that protects both the resident and the QMA from errors

The rights of medication administration serve as a safety and legal standard; following them protects residents from harm and demonstrates the QMA's adherence to the standard of care.

A QMA witnesses another employee physically forcing a resident to accept an insulin injection. This is legally considered:

Answer: Assault and battery, which must be reported immediately

Forcing treatment on a resident constitutes assault and battery and must be reported to the supervisor and appropriate authorities immediately.

Which statement about mandatory reporting for QMAs is correct?

Answer: QMAs are mandatory reporters in most states and must report suspected abuse or neglect

In most states, QMAs are designated mandatory reporters and are legally required to report suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation of residents.

A QMA is asked to sign the MAR for insulin that a nurse administered. The QMA should:

Answer: Refuse, because signing for medication you did not administer is falsification

Signing the MAR for a medication administered by someone else is falsification of medical records, which is illegal and professionally prohibited.

The ethical concept of 'fidelity' in QMA practice means:

Answer: Keeping promises and being reliable in providing care as assigned

Fidelity refers to the obligation to be trustworthy and faithful to commitments made to residents, including following through on assigned care tasks.