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HSC1531: Medical Law & Ethics Final Exam Exam |
Questions And Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus Rationales
2025 Q&A | Instant Download Pdf
- What is the primary purpose of medical law? A) To increase hospital profits B) To regulate healthcare professionals’ behavior C) To protect patient rights and safety D) To manage medical billing C) To protect patient rights and safety Medical law is designed to protect patients and ensure safety and ethical healthcare delivery.
- Which of the following is an example of informed consent? A) A doctor performing surgery without telling the patient B) A patient signing a form after being fully informed of risks and benefits C) A nurse giving medication without explanation D) A family member making decisions without patient knowledge B) A patient signing a form after being fully informed of risks and benefits Informed consent requires that patients understand and voluntarily agree to treatment after knowing risks and benefits.
- Which ethical principle means “do no harm”?
A) Autonomy B) Beneficence C) Nonmaleficence D) Justice C) Nonmaleficence Nonmaleficence means avoiding harm to patients.
- Which term describes the legal responsibility of a healthcare provider for patient harm caused by negligence? A) Liability B) Consent C) Confidentiality D) Battery A) Liability Liability is the legal responsibility for damages caused by negligence or misconduct.
- A breach of patient confidentiality can be considered: A) Legal and ethical if done without harm B) Always legal C) Both unethical and illegal without patient consent D) Allowed if the patient is not harmed C) Both unethical and illegal without patient consent Confidentiality is protected by law and ethics unless exceptions apply, such as legal reporting.
A) Doing good for the patient B) Treating all patients fairly and equally C) Preventing harm D) Respecting patient privacy B) Treating all patients fairly and equally Justice ensures fair and equitable distribution of healthcare resources and treatment. 10.A healthcare provider failing to provide the standard of care expected is called: A) Malpractice B) Beneficence C) Consent D) Confidentiality A) Malpractice Malpractice is professional negligence that harms the patient. 11.Which federal law protects the privacy of patient health information? A) OSHA B) HIPAA C) ADA D) EMTALA B) HIPAA HIPAA safeguards patient medical information confidentiality and privacy. 12.What is the role of an ethics committee in a healthcare facility?
A) Make legal decisions B) Enforce hospital policies C) Help resolve ethical dilemmas in patient care D) Manage hospital finances C) Help resolve ethical dilemmas in patient care Ethics committees advise on complex ethical issues regarding patient care. 13.Which of the following best describes a durable power of attorney for healthcare? A) A document giving someone authority to make medical decisions if the patient becomes incapacitated B) A will to distribute assets after death C) An insurance policy D) A consent form for surgery A) A document giving someone authority to make medical decisions if the patient becomes incapacitated Durable power of attorney designates a decision-maker for healthcare if the patient cannot decide. 14.Which ethical principle supports confidentiality? A) Autonomy B) Justice C) Fidelity D) Beneficence
B) A doctor’s order for surgery C) A consent form for treatment D) A hospital policy document A) A statement of patient’s wishes about medical care if they become incapacitated Advance directives express a patient's preferences for future care. 18.Which of the following is NOT protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)? A) Employment B) Public accommodations C) Confidentiality of health information D) Transportation C) Confidentiality of health information ADA protects against discrimination, but confidentiality is covered under HIPAA. 19.What is the best description of “capacity” in medical decision-making? A) The ability to pay for medical care B) The ability to understand and make informed decisions about treatment C) The physical ability to attend appointments D) The legal age of the patient B) The ability to understand and make informed decisions about treatment Capacity refers to a patient’s cognitive ability to make informed healthcare decisions. 20.What is a “living will”?
A) A legal document that outlines medical care preferences in case of terminal illness or incapacitation B) A will describing property distribution after death C) A contract with a healthcare provider D) A health insurance policy A) A legal document that outlines medical care preferences in case of terminal illness or incapacitation A living will details the types of medical treatment a person wants or refuses. 21.Which of the following best illustrates the principle of beneficence? A) Providing care that benefits the patient’s health B) Respecting patient’s right to refuse treatment C) Disclosing patient information to others D) Avoiding all risks A) Providing care that benefits the patient’s health Beneficence is the ethical obligation to do good and promote the patient’s welfare. 22.Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of a valid contract in healthcare? A) Offer and acceptance B) Mutual consent C) Consideration D) Unilateral action
C) To advertise healthcare services D) To reduce hospital costs A) To provide proof of care and communication Medical records serve as legal evidence of care provided and facilitate continuity. 26.Which of the following situations may constitute medical malpractice? A) Administering the wrong medication causing patient harm B) Discussing patient care with the healthcare team C) Documenting vital signs accurately D) Informing the patient of risks A) Administering the wrong medication causing patient harm Malpractice involves a breach of the standard of care that results in harm. 27.Which of the following is NOT part of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)? A) Protecting patient privacy B) Establishing security standards for electronic health information C) Mandating treatment for all patients D) Regulating access to medical records C) Mandating treatment for all patients HIPAA does not mandate treatment but protects patient information. 28.What is “assault” in a healthcare context? A) Causing physical injury without consent B) Threatening a patient with harm causing fear
C) Giving medication without consent D) Sharing confidential information B) Threatening a patient with harm causing fear Assault is the threat or attempt to cause harm, creating fear in the patient. 29.Which of the following is true about patient confidentiality? A) It can never be broken under any circumstances B) It is protected but may be breached when required by law C) It only applies in hospitals D) It is optional for healthcare workers B) It is protected but may be breached when required by law Confidentiality is a fundamental right but has exceptions for legal reporting. 30.What is “statutory law” in healthcare? A) Laws created by government legislatures B) Informal hospital policies C) Ethical guidelines only D) Verbal agreements A) Laws created by government legislatures Statutory laws are laws enacted by legislative bodies. 31.What is the “Good Samaritan Law”? A) Protects healthcare workers from liability when providing emergency care outside the workplace B) Requires hospitals to treat all patients
C) 18
D) 21
C) 18
In most states, 18 is the age where a person can consent to medical treatment. 35.Which document outlines a patient’s wishes regarding life-sustaining treatments? A) Power of attorney B) Living will C) HIPAA form D) Consent form B) Living will A living will specifies preferences for life-sustaining care. 36.What does “conflict of interest” require a healthcare professional to do? A) Hide the conflict B) Disclose the conflict to the patient or employer C) Ignore the conflict D) Act in their own interest regardless B) Disclose the conflict to the patient or employer Transparency is required to avoid unethical influence. 37.What is “battery” in medical practice? A) Physical harm caused by negligence B) Unauthorized physical contact with a patient
C) Verbal threats to a patient D) Failure to provide care B) Unauthorized physical contact with a patient Battery is touching without consent. 38.What is the ethical principle of “veracity”? A) Truthfulness and honesty in patient care B) Doing no harm C) Fairness in distribution D) Keeping promises A) Truthfulness and honesty in patient care Veracity means always telling the truth to patients. 39.Which of the following is an example of a breach of ethics? A) Reporting child abuse B) Taking a bribe to prescribe medication C) Respecting patient autonomy D) Maintaining confidentiality B) Taking a bribe to prescribe medication Accepting bribes is unethical and illegal. 40.Which law mandates hospitals to provide emergency care regardless of ability to pay? A) HIPAA B) EMTALA
D) Consent Consent is not an element of negligence. 44.What is the best description of “capacity” in the context of informed consent? A) Being legally an adult B) Understanding the information relevant to the decision C) Signing a document D) Following the doctor’s advice B) Understanding the information relevant to the decision Capacity refers to cognitive ability to make decisions. 45.What does “justice” mean in healthcare ethics? A) Promoting good for the patient B) Fair and equitable treatment of all patients C) Avoiding harm D) Telling the truth B) Fair and equitable treatment of all patients Justice focuses on fairness. 46.Which of the following is a key component of HIPAA? A) Protecting patient confidentiality B) Allowing free access to patient records C) Mandating universal healthcare D) Regulating medical licenses
A) Protecting patient confidentiality HIPAA protects health information privacy. 47.What is the main purpose of advance directives? A) To appoint someone to make healthcare decisions if incapacitated B) To detail end-of-life care wishes C) Both A and B D) To authorize financial decisions C) Both A and B Advance directives include durable power of attorney and living wills. 48.Which of the following is a potential consequence of medical malpractice? A) Criminal charges B) Civil liability and damages C) Loss of license D) All of the above D) All of the above Malpractice can lead to criminal, civil, and professional consequences. 49.What is the “standard of care”? A) The level of care a reasonable healthcare provider would provide B) The most expensive treatment available C) What the patient wants D) Hospital policy A) The level of care a reasonable healthcare provider would provide Standard of care is the accepted norm in practice.
B) A civil wrong causing harm or injury A tort is a wrongful act that causes harm and may lead to a lawsuit. 53.What is the main difference between criminal law and civil law in healthcare? A) Criminal law involves patient disputes B) Civil law addresses violations against society C) Criminal law involves offenses against society, civil law resolves private disputes D) There is no difference C) Criminal law involves offenses against society, civil law resolves private disputes Criminal law punishes offenses against society; civil law deals with disputes between individuals or organizations. 54.Which document authorizes a healthcare provider to perform a specific procedure? A) Power of attorney B) Consent form C) Living will D) HIPAA form B) Consent form Consent forms document patient permission for procedures. 55.Which of the following is NOT part of the four basic ethical principles?
A) Autonomy B) Justice C) Confidentiality D) Beneficence C) Confidentiality Confidentiality is important but is not one of the four main ethical principles. 56.What does “respondeat superior” mean in medical law? A) The patient is responsible for errors B) The employer is responsible for employees’ actions C) The doctor is always liable D) The patient consents to treatment B) The employer is responsible for employees’ actions Respondeat superior holds employers liable for their employees' negligent acts. 57.Which of the following is a “living will”? A) A document naming a healthcare proxy B) A document outlining end-of-life treatment preferences C) A contract with a hospital D) A medical record B) A document outlining end-of-life treatment preferences Living wills provide instructions for treatment when the patient cannot communicate. 58.What is the role of the Health Care Proxy?
