Respiratory Therapy Final (Ethics)

EMTALA stands for Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act. This federal law ensures that all individuals, regardless of their ability to pay, receive appropriate emergency medical care at any hospital participating in Medicare. It requires hospitals to provide a medical screening examination to determine if an emergency medical condition exists and stabilize the patient before transferring or discharging them. Additionally, EMTALA protects pregnant women in active labor, ensuring they receive necessary medical attention.

Informed consent refers to the requirement for healthcare providers to provide patients with sufficient information about any procedures or treatments they may undergo. This includes explaining the purpose, potential risks and benefits, alternatives, and any other relevant information that would enable the patient to make an informed decision. It ensures that patients have the autonomy to make reasonable choices based on their understanding and preferences.

A practitioner owes a duty of care to their patients, which means they have a legal and ethical obligation to provide competent and appropriate care. This duty includes ensuring the patient's safety, maintaining confidentiality, and acting in the patient's best interest. It requires the practitioner to exercise their professional skills and knowledge to the best of their ability, while also considering the individual needs and circumstances of each patient. The duty of care is a fundamental principle in healthcare that helps to establish trust and accountability between practitioners and their patients.

When a practitioner intentionally withholds medication from a patient who needs it or intentionally gives the wrong medication, they are causing potential harm to the patient. This action can be considered as a deliberate act of wrongdoing, known as an intentional tort. By intentionally causing harm or failing to provide necessary care, the practitioner can be held responsible and found guilty. Therefore, the statement "When a practitioner withholds medication from a patient who needs it or intentionally and knowingly gives a wrong medication to a patient they are committing potential harm and thus can be found guilty of an intentional tort" is true.

The therapist's statement can be considered a threat of physical harm, causing fear and distress in the patient. This can be interpreted as an act of assault, as assault refers to intentionally causing apprehension of harmful or offensive contact. The patient's emotional distress and subsequent cardiac arrest further support the argument that the therapist committed assault.

Negligence refers to a breach of duty that results in harm to another person. It occurs when someone fails to exercise reasonable care or acts in a way that deviates from the standard of care expected in a particular situation. In this case, the correct answer is negligence because it accurately describes the breach of duty that leads to harm.

DNR stands for "Do not Resuscitate," which is a medical order indicating that a person does not wish to receive cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in the event their heart stops or they stop breathing. This decision is usually made by individuals who have a terminal illness or who do not want to undergo aggressive medical interventions in certain situations. The DNR order allows medical professionals to honor the patient's wishes and focus on providing comfort care instead of attempting life-saving measures.

An advance directive is a guideline that allows health care team members to know a patient's wishes even when they are unable to convey those wishes. It serves as a written document that outlines the individual's preferences for medical treatment or end-of-life care, ensuring that their wishes are respected and followed.

The correct answer is "Sacrosanct." This term refers to something that is regarded as sacred or inviolable. In the context of a patient's right to confidentiality and privacy, it means that these rights are considered extremely important and should be protected at all costs. It emphasizes the ethical obligation of healthcare professionals to maintain the privacy and confidentiality of patient information, ensuring trust and respect in the doctor-patient relationship.

It is false that there is no need for a respiratory therapist to have malpractice insurance. Malpractice insurance is important for healthcare professionals, including respiratory therapists, as it provides financial protection in case of any claims or lawsuits related to professional negligence or errors in their practice. It helps cover legal costs, settlements, or judgments that may arise from such incidents, ensuring that the therapist is protected and able to continue practicing without significant financial burden.

Both the doctor and therapist are liable for the infant's death. The doctor is responsible for prescribing an excessively high dose of medication, which goes against the standard of care. The therapist, as a healthcare professional, has a duty to question and verify the doctor's order if it seems inappropriate or potentially harmful. By administering the medication without questioning the dose, the therapist also bears responsibility for the outcome. Both individuals failed to fulfill their duty of care, leading to the tragic outcome.

Battery is the correct answer because it refers to intentional wrongful, or offensive physical contact with another person without their consent. It is a legal term used to describe the act of physically harming or touching someone without their permission. This can include actions such as punching, slapping, or pushing someone, and is considered a form of assault.

If a RT (Respiratory Therapist) performs a procedure exactly according to the established standard of care and the patient dies, it does not mean that the RT has committed any wrongdoing. Following the established standard of care means that the RT acted in accordance with the accepted practices and protocols in their profession. Therefore, even though the outcome was unfortunate, the RT cannot be held responsible for the patient's death as they did everything correctly based on the standards in place.

The term "sacrosanct" refers to something that is regarded as sacred or inviolable. In the context of a patient's medical records, it means that their right to confidentiality is highly respected and protected. This term emphasizes the importance of maintaining privacy and ensuring that sensitive medical information is kept confidential and secure.

HIPPA stands for the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. It is a federal law in the United States that protects the privacy and security of patients' medical records and other health information. HIPPA allows patients to have access to their own medical records and gives them control over how their information is used and disclosed. This ensures that patients can make informed decisions about their healthcare and have the ability to review and correct any errors in their medical records.

An advanced directive is a legal document that allows individuals to express their healthcare wishes in advance, especially in situations where they are unable to communicate or make decisions for themselves. This document provides instructions regarding the type of medical treatment an individual wants or does not want to receive in the event of incapacitation or terminal illness. It ensures that healthcare practitioners are aware of the patient's desires and can make decisions accordingly, acting as a guideline for their care.

The doctrine of informed consent refers to the requirement that a patient must be provided with enough information about their medical condition, proposed treatment, potential risks and benefits, and alternative options in order to make an informed decision about their care. It emphasizes the importance of respecting the autonomy and decision-making capacity of the patient. This ensures that the patient is fully aware of their medical situation and can actively participate in the decision-making process regarding their treatment.

The statement is false because a respiratory therapist who fails to disclose their ownership of a rehab clinic while encouraging patients to attend it is committing an ethical breach. This behavior violates the principles of transparency, honesty, and informed consent. Patients have the right to know about any potential conflicts of interest that may influence their healthcare decisions. Failing to disclose ownership can undermine trust and compromise the therapist's professional integrity. Good care alone does not justify withholding important information from patients.

The correct answer is "Do not harm." This principle, also known as "non-maleficence," is a fundamental ethical guideline for medical practitioners. It emphasizes the importance of avoiding any actions that could cause harm to patients. Medical professionals are expected to prioritize the well-being and safety of their patients, ensuring that their treatment decisions and interventions do not cause unnecessary harm or exacerbate existing health conditions. This principle is essential in maintaining trust and promoting the best interests of patients.

A tort is a civil wrong committed against a patient for which the court applies a remedy in the form of damages, usually monetary damages. It is a legal term that refers to a wrongful act or infringement of a right that results in harm or injury to another person. Unlike criminal offenses like misdemeanors or felonies, torts are not punishable by imprisonment but rather by compensating the victim for their losses. Litigation, on the other hand, refers to the process of resolving legal disputes in court and is not specific to civil wrongs committed against patients.

A proxy is someone who is authorized to make decisions on behalf of another person, in this case, a patient who is unable to make decisions for themselves. They act as a representative and make choices based on the best interests and wishes of the patient. In medical situations, a proxy is often appointed through legal documents such as a healthcare proxy or power of attorney. This person has the responsibility to make healthcare decisions when the patient is incapacitated or unable to communicate their preferences.

An intentional tort refers to an act where the actor intends to cause harm. This means that the person performing the act has a deliberate intention to cause harm to another individual. It is different from an act of negligence, which involves a failure to exercise reasonable care. In the context of this question, an intentional tort would involve a person intentionally causing harm to another person, rather than it being accidental or a result of negligence.

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