A paramedic within your service was treating an IV drug addict when the patient spit at her, hitting her in the eye. At the hospital, when asked for blood, the patient refused to consent for testing. In this case, which of the following is TRUE?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Patients have the right to refuse medical treatment, including blood testing. In this case, the patient has already refused consent for testing. Even if the paramedic was exposed to the patient's bodily fluids, the patient's refusal still stands. It is important for the paramedic to follow proper infection control procedures and report the exposure to their supervisors. Law enforcement may investigate the patient's actions of spitting on the paramedic, but obtaining a blood sample without consent would not be lawful in this situation.

A Paramedic Within Your Service Was Treating an IV Drug