ETHICS BASICS
Ethics are based on these personal belief systems that shape what we think is right or wrong.
What are morals?
This type of law deals with crimes that may lead to jail time.
What is criminal law?
HIPAA protects this type of patient information.
What is protected health information (PHI)?
This legal document states a person does not want CPR if their heart stops.
What is a DNR?
A CNA tells her friend about a patient having surgery tomorrow. What law is broken?
What is HIPAA?
True or False: Something unethical is always illegal.
What is false?
This law requires facilities to inform patients of their rights upon admission (refusing care, participating in decisions).
What is the Patient Self-Determination Act?
True or False: Healthcare workers may share patient info with the care team on a need-to-know basis.
What is true?
A patient gives permission for treatment only after risks and benefits are explained.
What is informed consent?
A nurse holds down a patient who is refusing a procedure and performs it anyway. Name TWO violations.
What are assault and battery?
This group in hospitals helps discuss difficult patient-care decisions and gives recommendations.
What is the ethics committee?
This is unwanted touching or performing a procedure without consent.
What is battery?
Name one situation in which releasing patient information without consent is allowed by law.
What is:
A court order
Reporting abuse
When someone is in immediate danger
Required by law
This person ensures patients are not abused and that their legal rights are protected.
What is an ombudsman?
A CNA notices a resident’s bedsore but doesn’t report it. What legal issue is this?
What is negligence?
Name two sources of personal morals.
What are family, culture, and life experiences? (any two)
Failing to do something that a reasonable person would have done, resulting in harm to a patient.
What is negligence?
Discussing a patient’s condition loudly in a hallway violates this HIPAA standard.
What is privacy (or minimum necessary rule)?
A legal document naming someone else to make decisions if the patient can’t.
What is power of attorney?
You see another healthcare worker yelling at a confused resident. What must you do?
What is mandatory reporting?
These are complex problems with no single right answer, such as DNR orders or euthanasia.
What are ethical dilemmas?
Performing a skill you are not trained or legally allowed to do violates this legal concept.
What is scope of practice?
Looking up a patient's chart out of curiosity is considered this violation type.
What is unauthorized access (snooping)?
Two rights protected by the Patient Self-Determination Act.
What are:
The right to accept or refuse treatment
The right to participate in healthcare decisions
(Any two accepted)
A phlebotomist restrains a confused patient and draws blood even though she refused. Which three legal issues could apply?
What are assault, battery, and false imprisonment?