Professionalism and Ethics Flashcards

What is the primary purpose of obtaining informed consent before a medical procedure?

Answer: To ensure the patient understands and voluntarily agrees to treatment

Informed consent ensures patients have sufficient information to make autonomous, voluntary decisions about their care.

A medical assistant notices a co-worker appears impaired at work. The most appropriate action is to:

Answer: Report the concern to a supervisor immediately

An impaired healthcare worker poses a risk to patient safety and must be reported promptly.

Which situation requires mandatory reporting regardless of patient confidentiality?

Answer: A patient presents with injuries consistent with domestic abuse

Suspected abuse is a mandatory reportable situation in all US states, overriding standard confidentiality.

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) primarily protects:

Answer: Patients' individually identifiable health information

HIPAA establishes national standards to protect patients' protected health information (PHI).

Which of the following best describes the ethical concept of 'nonmaleficence'?

Answer: Avoiding actions that cause unnecessary harm

Nonmaleficence is the obligation to do no harm and to avoid actions that harm patients.

A patient in the waiting room loudly complains about their care. A professional response includes:

Answer: Calmly inviting the patient to a private area to address their concerns

Moving the interaction to a private space respects the patient and maintains a calm environment for others.

When a patient revokes a previously signed release of information authorization, the medical assistant should:

Answer: Honor the revocation immediately for future disclosures

Patients may revoke authorization at any time, and the revocation must be honored for future disclosures.