Specialty Certified Medical Assistant Medical Law, Ethics, and Compliance 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the statute of limitations in the context of medical malpractice?
- The maximum amount a patient can sue for
- The time period within which a legal action must be filed (Correct answer)
- The limit on the number of malpractice suits a physician can have
- The period during which medical records must be retained
Correct answer: The time period within which a legal action must be filed
The statute of limitations defines the legal deadline by which a malpractice lawsuit must be filed, varying by state.
Question 2: Which of the following situations requires mandatory reporting by a medical assistant?
- A patient requesting a second opinion
- A patient disclosing domestic abuse (Correct answer)
- A patient refusing prescribed medication
- A patient requesting medical records
Correct answer: A patient disclosing domestic abuse
Suspected or disclosed domestic abuse is a mandatory reporting situation in most US states to protect victim safety.
Question 3: What does the term 'respondeat superior' mean in a medical-legal context?
- The physician must respond to all patient complaints
- An employer is legally responsible for the actions of their employees performed within the scope of employment (Correct answer)
- The superior court oversees medical malpractice cases
- Patients have the right to receive a response to medical questions
Correct answer: An employer is legally responsible for the actions of their employees performed within the scope of employment
Respondeat superior is a legal doctrine holding employers liable for negligent acts of employees performed during the course of their employment.
Question 4: Which document gives a designated person authority to make healthcare decisions for a patient who is incapacitated?
- A living will
- A durable power of attorney for healthcare (Correct answer)
- A do-not-resuscitate order
- A HIPAA release form
Correct answer: A durable power of attorney for healthcare
A durable power of attorney for healthcare (healthcare proxy) designates a surrogate decision-maker when the patient cannot make their own medical decisions.
Question 5: What is the minimum length of time medical records must typically be retained for adults under most US state regulations?
- 1 year
- 3 years
- 7-10 years (Correct answer)
- 25 years
Correct answer: 7-10 years
Most US states require adult medical records to be retained for 7-10 years from the date of last treatment, though requirements vary by state.
Question 6: What is the definition of negligence in a medical setting?
- Intentionally harming a patient
- Failure to provide the standard of care that a reasonably prudent healthcare provider would deliver (Correct answer)
- Performing an unauthorized procedure
- Sharing patient information without consent
Correct answer: Failure to provide the standard of care that a reasonably prudent healthcare provider would deliver
Medical negligence occurs when a provider fails to meet the accepted standard of care, resulting in patient harm.
Specialty Certified Medical Assistant Medical Law, Ethics, and Compliance 2
What is the statute of limitations in the context of medical malpractice?