Medical-Legal Issues, Consent, and Documentation Flashcards

Which four elements must generally be proven for a negligence claim against a WFR?

Answer: Duty, breach of duty, causation, damages

Negligence requires a duty to act, a breach of the standard of care, damages, and that the breach caused those damages.

A paid trip leader with a WFR certification encounters an injured client on a guided trip. What best describes the leader's legal position?

Answer: A duty to act exists because of the professional relationship

Employment and a pre-existing relationship with clients typically create a legal duty to act.

A WFR splints a fracture, then leaves the patient alone to continue a summit attempt without arranging care. This is most likely:

Answer: Abandonment

Terminating care without transferring the patient to equal or higher-level care constitutes abandonment.

The standard of care for a WFR is best defined as:

Answer: What a reasonably prudent person with similar training would do in similar circumstances

Standard of care is judged against a similarly trained provider in similar conditions, including wilderness constraints.

An alert adult with a deep laceration states clearly, 'Yes, please clean and bandage it.' What type of consent is this?

Answer: Expressed (actual) consent

A competent adult explicitly agreeing to treatment gives expressed, or actual, consent.

Good Samaritan laws in most U.S. states typically protect volunteer rescuers when they:

Answer: Act in good faith, without compensation, and within their training

Protection generally requires good faith, no expectation of payment, and care within one's training; gross negligence is not protected.

Performing a procedure that exceeds your training and certification level is primarily a violation of:

Answer: Scope of practice

Scope of practice defines which skills a provider is trained and authorized to perform.