Medical Law and Ethics Flashcards
6 cards from real NCMA practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Medical Law and Ethics flashcards as text
What is the ethical principle of justice as it applies to healthcare delivery?
Answer: Treating patients fairly and equitably, distributing healthcare resources and burdens without discrimination
Justice in healthcare ethics requires fair and equitable treatment of all patients regardless of race, gender, age, disability, socioeconomic status, or insurance coverage, and fair distribution of healthcare resources.
A medical assistant overhears a colleague sharing a patient's diagnosis with a non-treating friend. What is the MOST ethically and legally appropriate action?
Answer: Report the breach to the Privacy Officer or supervisor and document the incident
Witnessing a HIPAA Privacy Rule violation obligates the observer to report it to the facility's Privacy Officer (designated under HIPAA); failing to report known violations can implicate the observer in the breach.
What does the ethical principle of autonomy mean in the patient care context?
Answer: The patient's right to make informed decisions about their own healthcare, including the right to refuse treatment
Patient autonomy is a foundational bioethical principle recognizing that competent adults have the right to make their own healthcare decisions, including refusal of recommended treatments, based on adequate information.
What is a breach of confidentiality, and what is one exception that legally permits disclosure of patient information without consent?
Answer: Sharing PHI without patient authorization; mandatory reporting of communicable diseases to public health authorities is a legal exception
A breach of confidentiality is unauthorized disclosure of a patient's protected health information; mandatory public health reporting (communicable diseases, gunshot wounds, child abuse) is a legally mandated exception that does not require patient consent.
What is the purpose of a professional code of ethics for medical assistants?
Answer: To provide a framework of moral principles guiding professional conduct, decision-making, and patient interactions that upholds the integrity of the profession
A professional code of ethics establishes the moral principles (respect, integrity, confidentiality, justice, compassion) that guide medical assistants in their professional relationships with patients, colleagues, and the healthcare system.
What is the legal definition of assault and battery in a healthcare context?
Answer: Assault is the threat of harmful contact (patient fears a procedure without consent); battery is actual harmful or offensive touching without consent — performing a procedure after a patient refuses constitutes battery
In healthcare, assault is threatening or causing apprehension of unauthorized touching (e.g., approaching a patient to perform a refused procedure); battery is any intentional, unauthorized physical contact — performing a treatment a patient has explicitly refused constitutes battery.