In the Patient's Bill of Rights, there is a statement regarding ...

[jCorn1234]

In the Patient's Bill of Rights, there is a statement regarding the availability of the chart to the patient. What does it indicate regarding the patient's rights and the chart?
 
  a. The patient has free access to the chart and may make and circulate copies of it to representing officers of the law
  b. The patient may review the chart and ask for explanations regarding the information therein
  c. The patient does not have access to the chart or the information therein
  d. The chart is available only to official officers of the court

Question 2

The Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA) has stated that a resident in a long-term care facility has the right to have the least restrictive treatment to promote health.
 
  Which of the following treatments would be questionable under these guidelines?
  a. Taping an arm board to a resident's wrist to promote the flow of an IV that stops when the resident bends his or her wrist
  b. Fastening a Velcro belt on a wheelchair-bound resident who is able to unfasten himself or herself
  c. Applying a soft waist restraint on a resident who repeatedly falls after climbing over the side rails of the bed to go to the bathroom
  d. Administering a sedative to a resident who has been complaining of insomnia

[mcinincha279]

Answer to Question 1

B
The information on a patient chart belongs to the patient. The actual chart does not. If a patient wants to examine a personal chart, the patient may do so with a hospital employee present. This gives access of the chart to the patient but prevents any changes from being made. If the patient wants a copy of the chart, one should be given because the information belongs to the patient, and with a copy, no changes can be made to the original chart.

Answer to Question 2

C
Restraining a resident who repeatedly falls is a restrictive treatment of convenience. Toileting, lowering the side rails, and ambulating the resident are less restrictive, but labor-intensive, alternatives to restraining the resident. Responses B and D imply that the resident has a choice in treatment: he or she can loosen the belt and request assistance with insomnia. An arm board used to promote IV flow is less restrictive than restraining the arm to the bed and is probably more desirable than restarting the IV.