Medical Law and Ethics Flashcards

Which federal law primarily governs the privacy of patient health information in the United States?

Answer: HIPAA

HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) establishes national standards for protecting sensitive patient health information.

A patient requests to see their own medical records. Under HIPAA, how long does the practice have to respond?

Answer: 30 days, with a possible 30-day extension

HIPAA requires covered entities to provide access to medical records within 30 days, with one 30-day extension allowed if needed.

What is informed consent in the context of medical care?

Answer: A patient's voluntary agreement to a procedure after understanding its risks, benefits, and alternatives

Informed consent requires that the patient understand and voluntarily agree to a proposed treatment after being fully informed of relevant risks, benefits, and alternatives.

Which of the following is an example of a HIPAA violation?

Answer: Discussing a patient's diagnosis in a crowded elevator where others may overhear

Discussing patient information in public areas where unauthorized persons may overhear is a breach of patient privacy and violates HIPAA.

What is the legal term for unauthorized touching of a patient without consent, even if no harm results?

Answer: Battery

Battery in medical law refers to unauthorized physical contact with a patient, which can occur even without harmful intent if consent was not obtained.

A 15-year-old patient seeks treatment for a sexually transmitted infection (STI) without parental knowledge. Under most US state laws, this patient is considered a:

Answer: Mature minor who may consent to STI treatment independently

Most US states allow minors to consent to STI diagnosis and treatment without parental involvement to encourage timely care.