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Choose the BEST answer. To ensure adequate protection for legal issues, offices should maintain patients' charts for:
- A. 10 years
- B. Forever
- C. Until the age of majority
- D. 2 years after the patient was last seen in the office
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is 'Forever.' Maintaining patients' charts indefinitely ensures comprehensive legal protection by having all relevant information available in case of litigation or if patient history needs to be referenced in the future. Choice A, '10 years,' may not be sufficient to cover the entire period within which legal issues may arise. Choice C, 'Until the age of majority,' is not ideal as legal matters may extend beyond this age limit. Choice D, '2 years after the patient was last seen in the office,' is inadequate as legal actions can occur beyond this timeframe, necessitating the need for long-term retention of patient charts.
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A woman has died as a result of a motor vehicle accident. She is listed as an organ donor, and her family is considering whether to comply with her wishes. Which of the following is true?
- A. The woman would have had to list herself as an organ donor and notify her family before her death that she has considered donating her organs.
- B. The Uniform Anatomical Gift Act requires the physician caring for the patient to inform the family who receives the donor organs.
- C. Physicians can choose to go against the deceased's wishes if the family decides that organ donation is not an acceptable choice.
- D. Physicians have the legal responsibility to inform patients of the risks involved in donating organs.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: In cases where a deceased person is listed as an organ donor, the family may have the final say on whether to proceed with organ donation, even if the individual had expressed their wish to donate. Physicians may prioritize the emotional well-being of the family over the wishes of the deceased, especially if organ donation could cause additional distress or trauma to the grieving family members. Therefore, it is possible for physicians to respect the family's decision not to proceed with organ donation, even if the deceased had previously expressed the desire to donate. This decision-making process underscores the importance of considering and respecting the perspectives and emotions of both the deceased individual and their surviving family members in organ donation scenarios.
What ethical principle has led to the need for informed consent?
- A. Autonomy
- B. Justice
- C. Fidelity
- D. Beneficence
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Autonomy is the ethical principle that emphasizes an individual's right to make their own decisions if they are mentally competent. Informed consent is a direct result of this principle, as it ensures that patients are fully informed before agreeing to any medical intervention. Autonomy is crucial in healthcare as it respects patients' rights and promotes self-determination. Justice, fidelity, and beneficence are important ethical principles in healthcare, but they do not directly lead to the need for informed consent. Justice focuses on fairness and equal treatment, fidelity on trustworthiness and loyalty, and beneficence on doing good for the patient's benefit.
In which of the following examples would informed consent not be required?
- A. A patient is apprehensive about an upcoming surgery and chooses not to learn of the risks involved with the procedure.
- B. A child is rushed to the Emergency Room after falling from a third-story window.
- C. An adult in a coma in a mental health institution with no listed next of kin.
- D. Informed consent is not required in any of the above examples.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: In emergency situations where immediate treatment is necessary to prevent further harm or save a life, such as in option B where a child is rushed to the Emergency Room after a fall, informed consent may be waived to provide prompt care. In option A, though the patient is apprehensive about surgery and chooses not to learn the risks, informed consent is not required as it is the patient's right to refuse information. In option C, when an adult is in a coma with no next of kin listed, decisions may be made in the patient's best interest following legal and ethical guidelines. Therefore, informed consent is not needed in any of the scenarios presented.
What information should be collected when assessing the health status of a community?
- A. Air pollution levels
- B. Number of health food stores
- C. Most common causes of death
- D. Education level of the individuals
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: When assessing the health status of a community, it is crucial to gather data on various health measures such as the most common causes of death. This information helps in understanding the prevalent health issues within the community. Factors like air pollution levels, the number of health food stores, and the education level of individuals are important community aspects but do not directly reflect the health status of the community. Therefore, the correct answer is to collect data on the most common causes of death as it provides insights into the major health concerns affecting the community.
Working in a clinic located in a community with many Hispanics, what strategy could the nurse implement to decrease health care disparities for Hispanic patients?
- A. Improve public transportation to the clinic.
- B. Update equipment and supplies at the clinic.
- C. Obtain low-cost medications for clinic patients.
- D. Teach clinic staff about Hispanic health beliefs.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Health care disparities are primarily rooted in stereotyping, biases, and prejudice among healthcare providers. By educating clinic staff about Hispanic health beliefs, the nurse can help combat these issues, leading to improved cultural competency and patient care. Understanding the cultural context of Hispanic patients can enhance communication, trust, and treatment adherence. Improving public transportation, updating equipment, and obtaining low-cost medications are important aspects of healthcare delivery but do not directly address the underlying causes of health disparities experienced by Hispanic patients.