EMS 1021 Medical Legal and Ethical Considerations Exam 2025

Battery - -The act of touching a patient unlawfully without consent. Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) - -An advanced directive stating the patient's explicit wishes to not have CPR or resuscitation performed. Contributory negligence - -Legal defense where the victim's actions caused the ailment, making the defendant not responsible for injury. Implied consent - -Occurs when a patient is unresponsive or unable to make a rational decision, allowing treatment under certain circumstances. EMTALA - -Requires hospitals to treat and stabilize a patient's condition before discharge. Defusing sessions - -Sessions attended by those directly involved in a critical incident to vent emotions. Service medical director - -Requirement for an EMT to provide routine and emergency medical care as an extension of the medical director's authority. Negligence - -Results in harm to the patient due to failure to provide proper care. Evidence-based medicine - -Allows the use of research and evidence in determining which care is effective. Evidence-based decision-making - -A process involving formulating a question, searching for relevant research data, appraising evidence for validity, and implementing changes based on evidence Good Samaritan Act - -Legal protection for individuals providing voluntary aid during emergencies when not obligated by duty Quality Improvement (QI) - -System of internal/external reviews and audits in emergency medical systems to enhance prehospital care quality Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) - -Interventions for dealing with traumatic events, including pre-incident stress education and one-on-one support MRSA infection prevention - -Washing hands following patient contact to reduce the risk of acquiring MRSA infection EMS 1021 EMS 1021 Emergency Medical Dispatchers - -Provide instructions for lifesaving emergency care, such as bleeding control or CPR, over the phone Living Will vs. DNR - -Living will pertains to long-term life support care, while a DNR order applies to resuscitation issues only Emergency Response Guidebook - -A reference tool in emergency vehicles providing emergency instructions for hazardous materials Germicidal Solution - -A disinfectant to kill microorganisms present on surfaces, such as long spine boards On-line Medical Direction - -Permission from a physician via phone or radio prior to administering treatment Off-line Medical Direction - -Established orders allowing EMS to act without direct permission for specific treatments Good Samaritan law - -Protection for those providing voluntary aid in emergencies Decision-making capacity - -Ability to understand treatment options and make informed decisions Statute of limitations - -Time limit to report a wrongdoing following an event Standard of care - -Care provided by EMS based on training, protocols, and policies Informed consent - -Permission obtained after informing patient of risks and consequences Grieving stage: Anger - -Emotional state questioning 'Why me?' in response to death or loss Mandated reporters - -Healthcare workers required to report suspicious events to law enforcement Pathogens - -Organisms causing diseases like bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa, and helminths Hydrostatic pressure - -The force inside the vessel or capillary bed generated by the contraction of the heart and blood pressure, pushing fluid out. PPV - -Positive pressure ventilation required when a patient is unable to breathe sufficiently for themselves. EMS 1021 EMS 1021 Perfusion - -Delivery of oxygen, glucose, and nutrients to cells and removal of waste products due to adequate blood circulation through capillaries. Albumin - -A large molecule that maintains fluid balance in blood by attracting water and fluids through oncotic pressure. Autonomic nervous system - -Responsible for influencing activities of involuntary muscles and glands, divided into parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems. Anaerobic metabolism - -Breakdown of molecules in cells without oxygen, leading to the formation of lactic acid instead of entering the next phase of metabolism. Cerebrum - -Outermost portion of the brain controlling sensation, thought, speech, and associative memory. Cerebellum - -Coordinates muscle activity and maintains balance. Brainstem - -Contains the mesencephalon, pons, and medulla oblongata, regulating respiratory, cardiac, and vasomotor functions. Oncotic pressure - -Keeps fluid inside vessels, promoting fluid movement into the bloodstream. Integumentary system - -Protects the body, regulates temperature, serves as a receptor for sensation, and aids in water and electrolyte regulation. Cardiac output - -Product of heart rate and stroke volume, determining the amount of blood pumped by the heart per minute. Patellar fracture - -Affects the knee, part of the lower extremities including the patella, tibia, fibula, and other bones. Nephritis - -Indicates kidney infection, with the suffix -itis indicating inflammation and infection. Shallow breathing - -Breathing at a rate below normal, such as 30/min in an infant Respiratory rate - -Normal rate for different age groups: neonate (40-60RPM), infant (30-53RPM), toddler (22-37RPM), preschooler (20-28RPM), school-age child (18 25RPM), adolescent (12-20RPM), and adults (12-20RPM) Acidosis - -Condition reducing blood's oxygen-carrying ability due to increased H+ ions from pH imbalance Bones of upper extremities - -Include humerus (upper arm bone) and radius (lateral forearm bone) EMS 1021 EMS 1021 FDO2 level - -Fraction of delivered oxygen by a ventilation device to a patient unable to breathe adequately Cubital - -Term closely related to the elbow Pivot joint - -Example: where the radius/ulna meet the humerus, allowing rotational movement Epiglottitis - -Inflammation of the epiglottis, causing severe swelling and hindering food entry into the lower respiratory system Brain glucose reliance - -Brain's heavy reliance on circulating glucose for energy due to lack of glucose storage Charles' law - -Gas law disrupted by spinal cord injury affecting diaphragm and intercostal muscles Ventilation/perfusion ratio - -Relationship between alveolar ventilation and capillary perfusion, crucial for gas exchange Thoracic region pain - -Pain in the upper back related to the thoracic spine (T1-T12) Cellular perfusion - -Directly linked to blood pressure, ensuring oxygen and nutrient delivery to cells Aerobic metabolism byproducts - -Products include heat, CO2, and H2O Anaerobic metabolism effects - -Cells become dysfunctional in an increasingly acidic environment Systemic vascular resistance (SVR) - -Resistance to blood flow through vessels, affected by vasoconstriction and vasodilation Bicuspid valve - -Mitral valve between the left atrium and left ventricle, preventing backflow of blood Endocrine system - -System of ductless glands releasing hormones into the bloodstream to regulate body functions Ventilation/perfusion ratio issue - -Problem related to inadequate oxygen in the alveoli, affecting gas exchange Midline - -Imaginary line dividing the body into right and left halves when viewed from the front EMS 1021 Skeletal system function - -Functions include providing structure, protection, movement, mineral storage, and blood cell production Beta2 properties - -Sympathetic (adrenergic) properties causing