Professional Liability & Medical Malpractice
Chapter 6 Medical Law & Ethics
Multiple Choice
1. Ignorance of the law
a. means you are not responsible.
b. is a valid argument in court.
c. is not a defense.
d. is a valid argument only before a case goes to court.
2. Comparative negligence is
a. unlike contributory negligence.
b. very similar to contributory negligence in that the plaintiff’s own negligence
helped cause the injury.
c. means an employer lends an employee to someone else.
d. Is a complete bar to recovery
3. If a patient’s death has been caused by the physician’s negligence, then the
patient’s family and heirs
a. can sue for murder.
b. can sue for wrongful death.
c. cannot sue for five years.
d. can sue for pain and suffering.
4. A person with special knowledge or experience who is allowed to testify in court
about points of knowledge relating to facts in the case is called
a. a plaintiff.
b. a witness.
c. a rider.
d. an expert witness.
5. Which is NOT one of the “four Ds” of negligence?
a. Duty
b. Denial
c. Dereliction of duty
d. Damages
Multiple Choice
1. Does the doctrine of “let the master answer” apply to a pharmacist who is dispensing
medication ordered by a physician?
a. No
b. Yes
c. Sometimes
d. Only if the drug is experimental
2. If treatment continues after it has been refused by the patient, the healthcare
provider could be liable for
a. assault.
b. battery.
c. nothing.
d. detaining the patient.
Professional Liability & Medical Malpractice
Chapter 6 Medical Law & Ethics
3. The two basic types of malpractice insurance are
a. claims-made insurance and occurrence insurance.
b. major and minor.
c. with injury or damage and without injury or damage.
d. professional and nonprofessional.
4. Is a hospital liable for injury if someone falls on a wet floor despite clearly posted
caution signs?
a. Yes
b. No
c. Yes, but only if the individual is handicapped
5. An insurance company may “settle” a case, which means that the company
a. comes to an agreement.
b. is admitting guilt.
c. is dismissing the case with no action.
True or False?
_____ 1. Malpractice insurance can be very expensive.
_____ 2. A rider is an addition to an insurance policy that may cover negligence on the
part of employees.
_____ 3. A promise to cure a patient with a certain procedure or form of treatment is
considered under civil law rather than contract law.
_____ 4. In the largest sense of the term, everyone is legally responsible or liable for his or
Her own actions.
_____ 5. It is easier to prevent negligence than it is to defend it in court.