Medical, Legal & Ethical Issues

5 free sample questions of the 27 in this topic. The full set is in the app.

1. Question 1

   Which type of consent applies when an unconscious adult requires emergency care?

   • A.Expressed consent
   • B.Informed consent
   • C.Implied consent
   • D.Involuntary consent
   Show answer & explanation

   Answer: C. Implied consent

   Implied consent (the 'emergency doctrine') presumes a reasonable person would consent to life-saving care if able. It applies to unconscious or otherwise incapacitated patients facing a life- or limb-threatening condition.

   Source: National EMS Education Standards 2021 — Preparatory > Medical/Legal and Ethics > Consent/involuntary consent/refusal of care (EMT: F,F)

2. Question 2

   Under HIPAA, an EMT may share protected health information (PHI) without the patient's authorization for which of the following purposes?

   • A.Posting an anonymized photo of an interesting call on social media
   • B.Treatment, payment, and operations (TPO) — including transfer to the receiving facility
   • C.Telling family members what was found at scene to relieve their anxiety
   • D.Discussing the call publicly as long as the patient's name is omitted
   Show answer & explanation

   Answer: B. Treatment, payment, and operations (TPO) — including transfer to the receiving facility

   HIPAA permits disclosure of PHI without authorization for treatment, payment, and healthcare operations (TPO). Continuity-of-care handoff to the receiving facility is treatment. Other disclosures generally require written authorization or a specific exception.

   Source: National EMS Education Standards 2021 — Preparatory > Medical/Legal and Ethics > Confidentiality (EMT: F,F)

3. Question 3

   An alert, oriented adult with chest pain refuses transport against medical advice. Before accepting the refusal, the EMT should at minimum:

   • A.Verbally accept the refusal and clear the scene
   • B.Confirm the patient understands the risks of refusing (including death), offer to call again if symptoms change, and document the refusal with signature and a witness
   • C.Have a family member sign for the patient
   • D.Transport against the patient's will, since chest pain is potentially life-threatening
   Show answer & explanation

   Answer: B. Confirm the patient understands the risks of refusing (including death), offer to call again if symptoms change, and document the refusal with signature and a witness

   A valid refusal requires the patient be alert, oriented, and decisionally capable AND that they understand the specific risks. EMT documents the refusal with the patient's signature, a witness signature, and the consequences explained. Family members cannot refuse for a competent adult.

   Source: National EMS Education Standards 2021 — Preparatory > Medical/Legal and Ethics > Consent/involuntary consent/refusal of care (EMT: F,F)

4. Question 4

   A patient presents a valid POLST/MOLST form indicating 'Do Not Resuscitate / Allow Natural Death.' During transport the patient becomes pulseless. The EMT should:

   • A.Begin full CPR and AED use
   • B.Honor the order, withhold resuscitation, provide comfort measures, and notify medical direction per protocol
   • C.Begin CPR and contact the family for permission to stop
   • D.Begin chest compressions only, no ventilations
   Show answer & explanation

   Answer: B. Honor the order, withhold resuscitation, provide comfort measures, and notify medical direction per protocol

   A valid, current DNR/POLST/MOLST that meets state requirements must be honored. The EMT provides comfort care, documents thoroughly, and notifies medical direction. State protocols govern the specific verification process.

   Source: National EMS Education Standards 2021 — Preparatory > Medical/Legal and Ethics > Advanced directives (EMT: F,F)

5. Question 5

   Abandonment, in the legal sense, occurs when an EMT:

   • A.Transports a patient to a hospital they didn't request
   • B.Terminates patient care without ensuring transfer to a provider of equal or higher level of care
   • C.Refuses to perform a skill outside their scope of practice
   • D.Cancels a transport before patient contact is made
   Show answer & explanation

   Answer: B. Terminates patient care without ensuring transfer to a provider of equal or higher level of care

   Abandonment is unilateral termination of care without an adequate handoff. EMTs must transfer to an equal-or-higher level of care (another EMT, paramedic, ED nurse) and ensure the receiving provider accepts the patient.

   Source: National EMS Education Standards 2021 — Preparatory > Medical/Legal and Ethics > Tort and criminal actions (EMT: F,F)

22 more Medical, Legal & Ethical Issues questions are in the app, along with explanations and flashcards for every one.

OnScene is an independent study aid based on the NREMT EMT Examination Specifications (2023 Practice Analysis), the National EMS Education Standards 2021, the National EMS Scope of Practice Model 2019, and the 2025 AHA Guidelines for CPR and ECC. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the NREMT, NHTSA, the American Heart Association, or any other organization.