During completion of your patient care report, you write the following statement, The patient was obviously intoxicated and intentionally uncooperative.
Subjective statements such as this can open the paramedic up to which of the following legal charges?
A . Res ipsa loquitur
B . Libel
C . Malfeasance
D . Slander
Answer: B
Explanation:
Libel is the act of injuring a patient s character through written statements. Documenting personal opinion and derogatory statements expose the paramedic to Libel. Slander is similar to Libel, but refers to false or malicious statements made verbally. Malfeasance is defined as breach of duty by performing a wrongful or unlawful act. Res ipsa loquitur is a legal doctrine sometimes used in support of negligence claims.
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