HLHS 105 / MEDL 101 Final Exam V2 |
HLHS 105 / MEDL 101 Medical Law &
Ethics | Actual Q&A with Rationale
(HLHS105/MEDL101 Final Exam) | Ivy Tech
Community College
1. Which of the following legal concepts refers to the idea that an employer is liable for the
actions of their employees while they are working within the scope of their employment?
A. Res ipsa loquitur
B. Quid pro quo
C. Stare decisis
D. Respondeat superior
Correct Answer: D
Respondeat superior is a Latin term meaning ‘let the master answer.’ This legal doctrine
holds that an employer is legally responsible for the wrongful acts of an employee if those
acts occur within the scope of employment. It is a critical concept in healthcare where
physicians are often held liable for the clinical mistakes of their medical assistants or
nursing staff.
2. In a negligence case, which ‘D’ refers to the provider failing to perform a duty that was
reasonably expected of them?
A. Damages
,B. Dereliction
C. Direct cause
D. Duty
Correct Answer: B
Dereliction occurs when a healthcare professional fails to meet the accepted standard of
care. It is the second of the four ‘Ds’ of negligence that a plaintiff must prove in court. This
failure must be directly linked to the injuries or losses claimed by the patient to result in
liability.
3. Which legal document allows an individual to name a specific person to make medical
decisions on their behalf if they become incapacitated?
A. Living Will
B. Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare
C. Uniform Anatomical Gift Act
D. Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) Order
Correct Answer: B
A Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare designates a healthcare proxy or agent to
make decisions when the patient cannot. Unlike a general power of attorney, the ‘durable’
aspect ensures it remains in effect even if the patient loses mental competency. This is a
key component of advance directives in clinical practice.
, 4. The standard of proof required in a civil medical malpractice case is usually defined as
which of the following?
A. Beyond a reasonable doubt
B. Preponderance of the evidence
C. Probable cause
D. Clear and convincing evidence
Correct Answer: B
In civil law, the burden of proof is generally the preponderance of the evidence, meaning it
is more likely than not that the defendant is liable. This is a lower threshold than the
‘beyond a reasonable doubt’ standard used in criminal trials. The plaintiff must show that
there is at least a 51% chance that their claims are true.
5. Under the HIPAA Privacy Rule, what is the term for the requirement that healthcare
workers only access the information necessary to perform their job duties?
A. The Exclusionary Rule
B. The Safe Harbor Provision
C. Minimum Necessary Standard
D. Duty to Warn
Correct Answer: C
HLHS 105 / MEDL 101 Medical Law &
Ethics | Actual Q&A with Rationale
(HLHS105/MEDL101 Final Exam) | Ivy Tech
Community College
1. Which of the following legal concepts refers to the idea that an employer is liable for the
actions of their employees while they are working within the scope of their employment?
A. Res ipsa loquitur
B. Quid pro quo
C. Stare decisis
D. Respondeat superior
Correct Answer: D
Respondeat superior is a Latin term meaning ‘let the master answer.’ This legal doctrine
holds that an employer is legally responsible for the wrongful acts of an employee if those
acts occur within the scope of employment. It is a critical concept in healthcare where
physicians are often held liable for the clinical mistakes of their medical assistants or
nursing staff.
2. In a negligence case, which ‘D’ refers to the provider failing to perform a duty that was
reasonably expected of them?
A. Damages
,B. Dereliction
C. Direct cause
D. Duty
Correct Answer: B
Dereliction occurs when a healthcare professional fails to meet the accepted standard of
care. It is the second of the four ‘Ds’ of negligence that a plaintiff must prove in court. This
failure must be directly linked to the injuries or losses claimed by the patient to result in
liability.
3. Which legal document allows an individual to name a specific person to make medical
decisions on their behalf if they become incapacitated?
A. Living Will
B. Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare
C. Uniform Anatomical Gift Act
D. Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) Order
Correct Answer: B
A Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare designates a healthcare proxy or agent to
make decisions when the patient cannot. Unlike a general power of attorney, the ‘durable’
aspect ensures it remains in effect even if the patient loses mental competency. This is a
key component of advance directives in clinical practice.
, 4. The standard of proof required in a civil medical malpractice case is usually defined as
which of the following?
A. Beyond a reasonable doubt
B. Preponderance of the evidence
C. Probable cause
D. Clear and convincing evidence
Correct Answer: B
In civil law, the burden of proof is generally the preponderance of the evidence, meaning it
is more likely than not that the defendant is liable. This is a lower threshold than the
‘beyond a reasonable doubt’ standard used in criminal trials. The plaintiff must show that
there is at least a 51% chance that their claims are true.
5. Under the HIPAA Privacy Rule, what is the term for the requirement that healthcare
workers only access the information necessary to perform their job duties?
A. The Exclusionary Rule
B. The Safe Harbor Provision
C. Minimum Necessary Standard
D. Duty to Warn
Correct Answer: C
