ATI LPN
Ethical and Legal Issues in Healthcare Questions
Question 1 of 5
The competency to stand trial issue is based on the basic legal principle
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Competency to stand trial hinges on the defendant's ability to understand proceedings and assist in their defense, a foundational legal requirement.
Question 2 of 5
The prosecution and defence in the trial of Andrea Yates agreed
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Both sides agreed Yates committed the act, but disputed her mental state, making C the agreed fact.
Question 3 of 5
In the case described by Beauchamp and Childress of a ninety-year-old patient with a squamous cell carcinoma who was extremely fearful of cancer, which of the following was NOT set forth as a justification for 'intentional verbal inaccuracy' on the part of the physician who treated the patient?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: This choice does not justify intentional verbal inaccuracy; instead, it emphasizes respectful communication rather than deception.
Question 4 of 5
You are a resident in the emergency department. An irate parent comes to you furious because the social worker has been asking him about striking his child. The child is a 5-year-old boy who has been in the emergency department four times this year with several episodes of trauma that did not seem related. Today, the child is brought in with a child complaint of 'slipping into a hot bathtub' with a burn wound on his legs. The parent threatens to sue you and says 'How dare you think that about me? I love my son!' What should you do?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Reporting of child abuse is mandatory even based on suspicion alone. Although it is frightening to be confrontational with the family, the caregiver is legally protected even if there turns out to be no abuse as long as the report was made honestly and without malice. You do not have the authority to remove the child from the custody of the parents. Only child protective services or the courts can do that. The police are not appropriate to investigate child abuse unless an assault is happening at that moment.
Question 5 of 5
You have a patient with severe multiple sclerosis that is advanced and progressive who now develops renal failure secondary to diabetes. The patient is alert and has elected to put the DNR (Do-Not-Resuscitate) order in place at her own discretion. The patient's potassium level is now markedly elevated at $8 \mathrm{meq} / \mathrm{L}$. Which of the following is the most appropriate management of this patient?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A DNR order specifically applies to cardiopulmonary resuscitation efforts and does not impact other treatments like dialysis. Hyperkalemia is life-threatening and dialysis is indicated regardless of the DNR status.