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
Under the doctrine of 'res ipsa loquitur,' which of the following scenarios would most likely apply?
Answer: A surgical sponge is found inside a patient after an abdominal procedure
Res ipsa loquitur ('the thing speaks for itself') applies when negligence is obvious without expert testimony, such as a foreign object left inside a patient.
What is the statute of limitations in medical malpractice?
Answer: The time period within which a lawsuit must be filed after an alleged injury
The statute of limitations sets a deadline for filing a malpractice lawsuit, which varies by state but typically ranges from 1–3 years.
A patient with a terminal diagnosis asks the medical assistant not to tell their family. The medical assistant should:
Answer: Respect the patient's confidentiality and not disclose without consent
Adult patients with decision-making capacity control who receives their health information, and confidentiality must be maintained.
Which federal law prohibits discrimination in healthcare settings based on race, color, national origin, sex, age, and disability?
Answer: Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act
Section 1557 of the ACA specifically prohibits discrimination in health programs receiving federal financial assistance on multiple protected grounds.
A medical assistant receives a subpoena for a patient's medical records. The CORRECT action is to:
Answer: Notify the physician and practice administrator before releasing any records
The physician and practice administrator must be notified so legal counsel can review the subpoena and ensure proper protocols are followed.
What ethical principle requires a medical assistant to act in the patient's best interest?
Answer: Beneficence
Beneficence is the ethical duty to do good and act in ways that benefit the patient.
A patient signs a general consent form upon arriving at the clinic. This consent covers:
Answer: Routine examination and standard non-invasive treatments
General consent covers routine examinations and basic non-invasive treatments; invasive procedures require separate informed consent.