Healthcare Pros' Ethical & Legal Duties: Confidentiality, Duty to Warn, Informed Consent, Exams of Nursing

Download Healthcare Pros' Ethical & Legal Duties: Confidentiality, Duty to Warn, Informed Consent and more Exams Nursing in PDF only on Docsity! HCS 545 Health Law & Ethics Final Exam Review Q & A 2024 1. A nurse accidentally administers a higher dose of medication than prescribed, resulting in patient harm. Which ethical principle is primarily at stake? A. Beneficence B. Nonmaleficence C. Autonomy D. Justice Answer: B. Nonmaleficence Rationale: Nonmaleficence is the principle of not causing harm to others. In this case, the nurse's action resulted in harm to the patient, which directly violates this principle. 2. A patient refuses a life-saving blood transfusion due to religious beliefs. How should the nurse proceed? A. Administer the transfusion, prioritizing the patient's health. B. Respect the patient's wishes and do not administer the transfusion. C. Persuade the patient to accept the transfusion. D. Seek a court order to administer the transfusion. Answer: B. Respect the patient's wishes and do not administer the transfusion. Rationale: Autonomy respects the patient's right to make decisions about their own health care. In this scenario, the nurse should respect the patient's autonomous decision, even if it conflicts with the nurse's personal beliefs or the principles of beneficence. 3. When is it ethically permissible for a nurse to breach patient confidentiality? A. When the information is interesting to the public. B. When the patient is a celebrity and the public has a right to know. C. When disclosure is necessary to protect the patient or others from harm. D. When discussing the case with friends after work. Answer: C. When disclosure is necessary to protect the patient or others from harm. Rationale: Confidentiality is a fundamental ethical principle in nursing, but it may be breached if nondisclosure could result in harm to the patient or others, such as in cases of communicable diseases or abuse. Answer: C. Request a professional interpreter. Rationale: Effective communication is essential for informed consent and providing quality care. Using a professional interpreter ensures accurate and confidential communication. 1. Which of the following principles of medical ethics emphasizes the importance of respecting patient autonomy in making healthcare decisions? A) Beneficence B) Nonmaleficence C) Justice D) Autonomy Answer: D) Autonomy Rationale: Autonomy is the principle that emphasizes individuals' rights to make their own healthcare decisions based on informed consent. 2. In the context of healthcare law, "standard of care" refers to: A) The legal duty of healthcare professionals to prioritize patient interests B) The level of care that a reasonable healthcare professional would provide in similar circumstances C) The ethical duty of healthcare professionals to act in the best interest of the patient D) The legal responsibility of healthcare professionals to maintain patient confidentiality Answer: B) The level of care that a reasonable healthcare professional would provide in similar circumstances Rationale: The standard of care is a legal concept that refers to the level of care that a reasonably prudent healthcare professional would provide in similar circumstances. 3. Which of the following legal doctrines allows healthcare professionals to disclose confidential patient information without consent in cases of imminent harm? A) Informed consent B) Duty to warn C) Confidentiality privilege D) Privacy protection Answer: B) Duty to warn Rationale: The duty to warn is a legal doctrine that requires healthcare professionals to disclose confidential patient information in cases where there is a threat of imminent harm to an individual or the public. 4. What legal concept allows healthcare professionals to administer treatment to an unconscious patient in emergency situations without consent? A) Informed consent B) Assent C) Implied consent D) Express consent Answer: C) Implied consent Rationale: Implied consent allows healthcare professionals to provide treatment to unconscious patients in emergency situations when obtaining explicit consent is not possible. 5. Which of the following ethical principles emphasizes the obligation of healthcare professionals to do no harm to patients? A) Beneficence B) Nonmaleficence C) Autonomy D) Justice Answer: B) Nonmaleficence Rationale: Nonmaleficence is the principle that emphasizes the obligation of healthcare professionals to avoid causing harm to patients. 6. A patient has the right to refuse medical treatment based on which ethical principle? A) Beneficence B) Nonmaleficence C) Autonomy D) Justice Answer: C) Autonomy Rationale: Autonomy is the ethical principle that recognizes an individual's right to make decisions about their own healthcare, including the right to refuse treatment. 7. Which of the following legal concepts prohibits healthcare professionals from discriminating against patients based on race, ethnicity, religion, or other protected characteristics? A) Standard of care B) Negligence C) Informed consent D) Anti-discrimination laws Answer: D) Anti-discrimination laws Rationale: Anti-discrimination laws prohibit healthcare professionals from discriminating against patients based on protected characteristics such as race, ethnicity, religion, or gender. 8. Which of the following legal principles requires healthcare professionals to keep patient information confidential? A) Privacy protection B) Duty to warn C) Informed consent D) Confidentiality privilege Answer: D) Confidentiality privilege Rationale: The confidentiality privilege is a legal principle that requires healthcare professionals to keep patient information confidential and only disclose it with the patient's consent or in specific circumstances allowed by law. 9. Which of the following legal doctrines allows healthcare professionals to disclose confidential patient information to prevent harm or protect public health? healthcare professionals to avoid causing harm to patients in the delivery of care. In a situation where a patient refuses life-saving treatment, which ethical principle takes precedence? A. Autonomy B. Beneficence C. Non-maleficence D. Justice Answer: A Rationale: The principle of autonomy prioritizes a patient's right to make decisions about their own care, even if it involves refusing life-saving treatment. What is the role of an ethics committee in a healthcare setting? A. To enforce strict regulations on healthcare providers B. To make all medical decisions for patients C. To resolve ethical dilemmas and provide guidance D. To prioritize the interests of the healthcare institution Answer: C Rationale: Ethics committees are responsible for addressing ethical dilemmas, providing guidance, and facilitating decision-making in complex healthcare situations. Which legal concept refers to the obligation of healthcare professionals to provide care within their scope of practice? A. Duty of care B. Standard of care C. Negligence D. Malpractice Answer: B Rationale: The standard of care defines the level of care that healthcare professionals are expected to provide based on their training, expertise, and the prevailing norms in the profession. What is the purpose of the Good Samaritan laws? A. To hold healthcare professionals liable for negligence B. To protect individuals who provide emergency assistance from legal action C. To mandate bystanders to intervene in emergency situations D. To restrict access to medical care for certain populations Answer: B Rationale: Good Samaritan laws aim to protect individuals who provide emergency assistance in good faith from being held liable for any unintended harm that may occur during the rescue efforts. Which ethical principle refers to the fair and equitable distribution of healthcare resources? A. Autonomy B. Beneficence C. Non-maleficence D. Justice Answer: D Rationale: The principle of justice emphasizes the fair and equitable distribution of healthcare resources, ensuring that all individuals have access to quality care without discrimination. When should healthcare professionals breach patient confidentiality? A. When sharing information with family members without patient consent B. When disclosing information to law enforcement without patient consent C. When reporting suspected child abuse to the authorities D. When discussing patient cases during a team meeting Answer: C Rationale: Healthcare professionals are ethically obligated to breach patient confidentiality in situations where there is a legal requirement to report suspected cases of child abuse to the appropriate authorities. Which federal agency is responsible for enforcing compliance with HIPAA regulations? A. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) B. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) C. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) D. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Answer: C Rationale: The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is responsible for enforcing compliance with HIPAA regulations, ensuring that healthcare organizations protect patient privacy and security. What is the role of advance directives in healthcare decision-making? A. To override a patient's right to make decisions about their care B. To provide guidance on future medical treatment preferences C. To limit healthcare professionals' autonomy in decision-making D. To require immediate medical interventions in emergency situations Answer: B Rationale: Advance directives help patients communicate their preferences for medical treatment in advance, ensuring that their wishes are respected even if they are unable to make decisions in the future. What ethical principle guides healthcare professionals to act in the best interest of the patient? A. Autonomy B. Beneficence C. Non-maleficence D. Justice Answer: B Rationale: The principle of beneficence emphasizes the duty of healthcare professionals to act in the best interest of the patient, promoting their well-being and health outcomes. How does the principle of fidelity relate to healthcare ethics? A. It emphasizes the importance of honesty and trustworthiness in the provider-patient relationship B. It prioritizes the financial interests of the healthcare institution C. Negligence D. Malpractice Answer: C Rationale: Negligence includes the failure to obtain informed consent from a patient before a medical intervention, violating the patient's right to make decisions about their care. What ethical principle guides healthcare professionals to act with fairness and equity in their practice? A. Autonomy B. Beneficence C. Non-maleficence D. Justice Answer: D Rationale: The principle of justice emphasizes the importance of acting with fairness, equity, and impartiality in healthcare practice, ensuring that all individuals receive equal treatment and access to care. How does the principle of confidentiality relate to healthcare ethics? A. It allows healthcare professionals to share patient information without consent B. It emphasizes the importance of protecting patient privacy and sensitive information C. It limits communication between healthcare providers and patients D. It prioritizes the financial interests of the healthcare institution Answer: B Rationale: The principle of confidentiality in healthcare ethics underscores the importance of protecting patient privacy, maintaining the security of sensitive information, and respecting patient confidentiality rights. What is the role of a living will in healthcare decision-making? A. To assign decision-making authority to healthcare providers B. To override a patient's right to make decisions about their care C. To provide guidance on end-of-life care preferences D. To limit healthcare professionals' autonomy in decision-making Answer: C Rationale: A living will helps patients communicate their preferences for end-of-life care, guiding healthcare decisions when patients are unable to make choices themselves. Which legal concept refers to the obligation of healthcare professionals to provide care that meets established standards? A. Duty of care B. Standard of care C. Negligence D. Malpractice Answer: B Rationale: The standard of care defines the level of care that healthcare professionals are expected to provide based on established standards, training, and prevailing norms in the profession. What is the purpose of the Patient Self-Determination Act (PSDA)? A. To limit patient autonomy in decision-making B. To ensure that patients are informed of their rights to make healthcare decisions C. To restrict access to medical care for certain populations D. To override patient preferences in medical treatment Answer: B Rationale: The Patient Self-Determination Act (PSDA) aims to ensure that patients are informed of their rights to make healthcare decisions, including the right to accept or refuse treatment. How does cultural competence relate to ethical healthcare practice? A. It emphasizes the imposition of one's cultural beliefs on patients B. It disregards the importance of understanding diverse cultural perspectives C. It promotes respectful and effective care for patients from diverse backgrounds D. It limits access to healthcare services for certain populations Answer: C Rationale: Cultural competence in healthcare emphasizes the importance of providing respectful, effective, and patient-centered care to individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds, recognizing and respecting their beliefs, values, and preferences. What ethical principle guides healthcare professionals to act in a manner that builds trust and confidence with patients? A. Autonomy B. Beneficence C. Non-maleficence D. Fidelity Answer: D Rationale: The principle of fidelity in healthcare ethics emphasizes the importance of building trust, honesty, and loyalty in the provider-patient relationship, fostering strong connections and confidence. When should healthcare professionals breach patient confidentiality to protect public health? A. When sharing patient information with authorized healthcare professionals B. When discussing patient cases during a team meeting C. When disclosing information to law enforcement without patient consent D. When seeking consultation from a specialist Answer: C Rationale: Healthcare professionals may breach patient confidentiality to protect public health when there is a legal obligation to report certain communicable diseases or threats to public safety to the appropriate authorities. What is the primary goal of the principles of healthcare ethics? A. To limit patient autonomy in decision-making B. To prioritize the financial interests of the healthcare institution C. To guide healthcare professionals in making ethical decisions and