MACE Legal and Ethical Responsibilities — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following actions best demonstrates patient confidentiality?
- Talking about a patient’s condition with a friend.
- Sharing patient updates on social media.
- Discussing patient information only with the care team. (Correct answer)
- Explaining patient conditions in the elevator.
Correct answer: Discussing patient information only with the care team.
Discussing patient information only with authorized healthcare professionals protects the patient’s right to privacy.
Question 2: A medication aide gives the wrong dose and immediately reports it. What principle is being followed?
- Autonomy
- Justice
- Accountability (Correct answer)
- Beneficence
Correct answer: Accountability
Reporting errors immediately reflects accountability and promotes patient safety.
Question 3: What is a legal requirement before administering any medication?
- Verbal consent from the patient.
- A physician’s written order. (Correct answer)
- Permission from the family.
- A co-worker’s confirmation.
Correct answer: A physician’s written order.
A valid physician’s order must be present to legally administer any medication to a patient.
Question 4: Which scenario is considered outside the scope of practice for a medication aide?
- Documenting medication given.
- Giving oral medications.
- Administering injections. (Correct answer)
- Reporting side effects to a nurse.
Correct answer: Administering injections.
Giving injections is not within the medication aide’s scope in many states, including Washington.
Question 5: What ethical principle involves doing good and promoting the well-being of patients?
- Fidelity
- Non-maleficence
- Beneficence (Correct answer)
- Veracity
Correct answer: Beneficence
Beneficence means acting in the best interest of the patient and doing good.
Question 6: What should a medication aide do if asked to perform a task they are not trained for?
- Attempt the task to help the team.
- Follow through and ask for feedback later.
- Politely refuse and inform the supervisor. (Correct answer)
- Ask another aide to do it instead.
Correct answer: Politely refuse and inform the supervisor.
It is both ethical and legal to refuse tasks beyond your scope and report to a supervisor for guidance.
MACE Legal and Ethical Responsibilities
Which of the following actions best demonstrates patient confidentiality?