Download Answers to Self-Study Review Questions

Answers to Self-Study Review Questions
Chapter 3: Medicolegal and Ethical Responsibilities
1. Medical ethics are not laws but are standards of conduct generally accepted as a
moral guide for behavior which apply equally to relationships with patients, other
physicians, members of allied professions (medical assistant), and the general public.
2. The branch of study resulting from high technology and sophisticated biomedical
research centering on moral issues, questions, and problems that arise in the practice of
medicine is called bioethics.
3. The customary code of conduct, courtesy, and manners in the medical profession is
known as medical etiquette.
4. A federal law addressing health insurance reform, fraud and abuse, and consumer
confidentiality issues is known as Health Insurance Portability and Accountability
Act of 1996.
5. What is required before a physician may use or disclose a patient’s health information
for treatment, payment, or routine health care operations? One-time signed consent
form by the patient
6. A form that tells the purpose for which health care information is to be used and
specific information that can be disclosed is called a/an authorization form.
7. Vicarious liability, which means the physician is legally responsible for his or her
conduct and for any actions a medical assistant might take while an employee is known
as the doctrine of respondeat superior.
8. List some of the intentional torts known in the medical field.
a. Assault and battery
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b. Invasion of privacy and breach of confidential communication
c. Defamation of character, libel, and slander
d. False imprisonment or personal restraint of the patient
e. Intentional infliction of emotional distress
f. Fraud or deceit
9. Explain the difference between an expressed contract and an implied contract.
Expressed contract: One obtained by direct verbal or written statement by a patient
requesting medical treatment or service
Implied contract: One obtained through implication, i.e., not expressed by direct
words but gathered by implication or necessary deduction from the situation, the
general language, or the conduct of the patient
10. An order by the court for a witness to appear at a designated place to give testimony
is known as a/an subpoena.
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