Legal and Ethical Considerations Flashcards

What legal principle protects a bystander who provides CPR in good faith from liability in most U.S. states?

Answer: Good Samaritan laws

Good Samaritan laws shield lay rescuers who voluntarily and in good faith provide emergency aid from civil liability.

An adult collapses in a public place and is unresponsive. Under what legal concept may you begin CPR without verbal permission?

Answer: Implied consent

Implied consent assumes an unresponsive person would agree to lifesaving care if able to do so.

A conscious adult with chest pain refuses your help. What is the correct ethical and legal action?

Answer: Honor the refusal and call 911 to monitor

A competent adult has the right to refuse care, so you should respect the refusal while keeping EMS involved.

What document directs rescuers NOT to perform CPR on a specific patient?

Answer: A valid DNR order

A Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order is a physician's directive instructing that CPR not be attempted.

Stopping CPR before EMS arrives, without a valid reason, may legally be considered what?

Answer: Abandonment

Once you begin care, leaving the patient without transferring to equal or higher care is abandonment.

Touching or treating a competent, conscious person who has refused care could be legally classified as what?

Answer: Battery

Treating someone against their will is battery, an unlawful touching of another person.

Which factor would generally PREVENT Good Samaritan protections from applying?

Answer: Gross negligence or willful misconduct

Good Samaritan laws do not protect rescuers who act with gross negligence or intentional harm.