HLHS 105 / MEDL 101 Exam 4 V2 | HLHS
105 / MEDL 101 Medical Law & Ethics |
Actual Q&A with Rationale
(HLHS105/MEDL101 Exam 4) | Ivy Tech
Community College
1. Which legal document identifies a person to make healthcare decisions if the patient
becomes unable to do so?
A. Living Will
B. Patient Bill of Rights
C. Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare
D. Standard of Care Document
Answer: C
Rationale: The Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare is a legal instrument that
designates a proxy to act on behalf of the patient. This document only becomes active when
the patient lacks the capacity to make their own decisions. It is distinct from a living will,
which specifies specific treatment preferences rather than appointing a representative.
2. Under the doctrine of res ipsa loquitur, who bears the burden of proving they were not
negligent?
A. The defendant
,B. The insurance company
C. The plaintiff
D. The expert witness
Answer: A
Rationale: Res ipsa loquitur translates to ‘the thing speaks for itself,’ suggesting the injury
could not have occurred without negligence. In these cases, the burden of proof shifts to the
healthcare provider to show they followed the standard of care. This legal doctrine is
commonly applied in surgical cases involving retained foreign objects.
3. What is the primary purpose of the HIPAA Privacy Rule?
A. To protect the confidentiality and security of healthcare information
B. To regulate the cost of medical procedures
C. To ensure healthcare providers are paid on time
D. To prevent medical errors in hospitals
Answer: A
Rationale: The HIPAA Privacy Rule establishes national standards for the protection of
certain health information. It governs how protected health information (PHI) is used and
disclosed by covered entities. Patients are granted specific rights regarding their health
information under this federal regulation.
, 4. Which of the ‘Four Ds’ of negligence refers to the physician failing to act as a reasonably
prudent physician would?
A. Duty
B. Direct Cause
C. Dereliction
D. Damages
Answer: C
Rationale: Dereliction of duty occurs when a healthcare provider fails to meet the accepted
standard of care. It is a critical component that the plaintiff must prove in a malpractice
lawsuit. Without evidence of this failure, a claim for negligence cannot proceed.
5. A medical assistant who tells a patient that their physician is ‘incompetent’ could be
charged with which of the following?
A. Libel
B. Slander
C. Battery
D. Fraud
Answer: B
Rationale: Slander refers to the oral defamation of a person’s character or professional
standing. In a healthcare setting, making false verbal statements about a colleague’s skills
105 / MEDL 101 Medical Law & Ethics |
Actual Q&A with Rationale
(HLHS105/MEDL101 Exam 4) | Ivy Tech
Community College
1. Which legal document identifies a person to make healthcare decisions if the patient
becomes unable to do so?
A. Living Will
B. Patient Bill of Rights
C. Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare
D. Standard of Care Document
Answer: C
Rationale: The Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare is a legal instrument that
designates a proxy to act on behalf of the patient. This document only becomes active when
the patient lacks the capacity to make their own decisions. It is distinct from a living will,
which specifies specific treatment preferences rather than appointing a representative.
2. Under the doctrine of res ipsa loquitur, who bears the burden of proving they were not
negligent?
A. The defendant
,B. The insurance company
C. The plaintiff
D. The expert witness
Answer: A
Rationale: Res ipsa loquitur translates to ‘the thing speaks for itself,’ suggesting the injury
could not have occurred without negligence. In these cases, the burden of proof shifts to the
healthcare provider to show they followed the standard of care. This legal doctrine is
commonly applied in surgical cases involving retained foreign objects.
3. What is the primary purpose of the HIPAA Privacy Rule?
A. To protect the confidentiality and security of healthcare information
B. To regulate the cost of medical procedures
C. To ensure healthcare providers are paid on time
D. To prevent medical errors in hospitals
Answer: A
Rationale: The HIPAA Privacy Rule establishes national standards for the protection of
certain health information. It governs how protected health information (PHI) is used and
disclosed by covered entities. Patients are granted specific rights regarding their health
information under this federal regulation.
, 4. Which of the ‘Four Ds’ of negligence refers to the physician failing to act as a reasonably
prudent physician would?
A. Duty
B. Direct Cause
C. Dereliction
D. Damages
Answer: C
Rationale: Dereliction of duty occurs when a healthcare provider fails to meet the accepted
standard of care. It is a critical component that the plaintiff must prove in a malpractice
lawsuit. Without evidence of this failure, a claim for negligence cannot proceed.
5. A medical assistant who tells a patient that their physician is ‘incompetent’ could be
charged with which of the following?
A. Libel
B. Slander
C. Battery
D. Fraud
Answer: B
Rationale: Slander refers to the oral defamation of a person’s character or professional
standing. In a healthcare setting, making false verbal statements about a colleague’s skills
