Professional Standards and Ethics Flashcards
7 cards from real RELIAS practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Professional Standards and Ethics flashcards as text
Which document legally designates a person to make healthcare decisions for a patient who loses decision-making capacity?
Answer: Durable power of attorney for healthcare
A durable power of attorney for healthcare legally authorizes a surrogate decision-maker when the patient cannot make their own decisions.
A social worker learns during a session that a client plans to harm a specific third party. The professional's ethical and legal obligation is to:
Answer: Warn the potential victim and notify appropriate authorities (duty to warn)
Under the duty to warn (Tarasoff doctrine), clinicians must take steps to protect identifiable third parties from credible threats.
Cultural competence in healthcare primarily involves:
Answer: Understanding and respecting the cultural beliefs, values, and practices of patients to deliver effective care
Cultural competence means recognizing and integrating patients' cultural contexts into care delivery to improve outcomes and respect dignity.
An ethical dilemma in healthcare most accurately refers to a situation where:
Answer: Two or more ethical principles conflict, making the right course of action unclear
An ethical dilemma arises when competing ethical obligations (e.g., autonomy vs. beneficence) point toward different courses of action.
What is the primary purpose of a professional code of ethics?
Answer: To provide guidance on acceptable professional behavior and protect the public
Codes of ethics set standards for professional conduct, guide decision-making, and serve as a public commitment to responsible practice.
When documenting patient care, healthcare professionals should ensure records are:
Answer: Accurate, objective, timely, and free of personal opinions
Accurate and timely documentation ensures continuity of care, legal protection, and clear communication among the care team.
A patient signs an informed consent form but later states they did not understand what they signed. The provider's best course of action is to:
Answer: Re-explain the procedure, answer the patient's questions, and obtain a new consent if needed
Valid informed consent requires patient comprehension, not just a signature; the provider must ensure the patient truly understands before proceeding.