Legal & Ethical Considerations Flashcards
7 cards from real BLS practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Legal & Ethical Considerations flashcards as text
A healthcare provider fails to initiate CPR on a patient with a treatable cardiac arrest and the patient dies. This could constitute:
Answer: Negligence by omission
Negligence by omission occurs when a provider fails to perform a duty of care that a reasonably prudent provider would have performed.
Which scenario represents 'battery' in a BLS context?
Answer: Performing CPR on a patient who has a valid DNR and competently refused resuscitation
Battery is intentional, unconsented touching; performing CPR on a patient with a valid DNR constitutes battery.
What is the primary purpose of documentation after a BLS intervention in a professional healthcare setting?
Answer: To provide a legal and clinical record of the care delivered
Accurate documentation creates a legal record, supports continuity of care, and demonstrates adherence to the standard of care.
A first responder arrives to find bystanders performing CPR on a patient who has a valid DNR order in hand. The first responder should:
Answer: Confirm the DNR is valid, then discontinue CPR
A valid DNR order legally supersedes bystander CPR; the licensed provider must verify the document and stop resuscitation.
Which factor would most likely establish that a BLS rescuer met the 'standard of care'?
Answer: The rescuer followed current AHA BLS guidelines
The standard of care is defined by what a similarly trained rescuer would do; following current guidelines establishes this benchmark.
A patient with terminal cancer and a valid POLST form requesting 'comfort measures only' experiences cardiac arrest at home. The appropriate BLS response is:
Answer: Honor the POLST, withhold CPR, and focus on comfort care
A valid POLST ordering comfort measures only legally directs providers to withhold CPR and resuscitative interventions.
Which best describes the ethical concept of 'veracity' as it applies to BLS providers?
Answer: Being truthful with patients and families about outcomes and care
Veracity obligates providers to be honest with patients and families, including truthful communication about resuscitation outcomes.