Medical Law and Ethics Flashcards
7 cards from real CCMA practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Medical Law and Ethics flashcards as text
A patient requests that their medical records NOT be shared with their spouse. Under HIPAA, the medical assistant should:
Answer: Honor the patient's request and restrict disclosure to the spouse
HIPAA grants patients the right to restrict disclosure of their PHI, and the covered entity must honor reasonable requests.
Which of the following best describes 'respondeat superior' in a medical office context?
Answer: An employer is legally responsible for negligent acts committed by employees within the scope of employment
Respondeat superior ('let the master answer') holds employers vicariously liable for employee negligence performed during work duties.
A patient who is 16 years old seeks treatment for a sexually transmitted infection without parental consent. In most US states, the medical assistant should:
Answer: Treat the minor confidentially, as minors can consent to STI treatment in most states
Most states allow minors to consent to STI testing and treatment without parental knowledge to encourage them to seek care.
What is the primary purpose of a medical practice's Notice of Privacy Practices (NPP)?
Answer: To inform patients how their PHI may be used and disclosed
The NPP, required by HIPAA, explains to patients their rights and how the practice may use or share their health information.
A medical assistant overhears a colleague discussing a patient's HIV status in the waiting room. The BEST immediate action is to:
Answer: Privately remind the colleague that patient information must be kept confidential
The medical assistant should address the breach immediately and privately, reminding the colleague of confidentiality obligations.
Which type of consent is implied when a patient rolls up their sleeve for a blood draw without verbal instruction?
Answer: Implied consent
Implied consent is demonstrated through a patient's actions or conduct rather than explicit verbal or written agreement.
A physician asks a medical assistant to perform a procedure outside their scope of practice. The medical assistant should:
Answer: Refuse and explain that the task exceeds their scope of practice
Medical assistants must refuse tasks beyond their scope of practice to protect patient safety and avoid legal liability.