Patient Care Technician (PCT) AAH Practice Exam

Negligence refers to which of the following?

1. A failure to communicate properly

2. Inability to perform duties

3. A healthcare provider should have known what could cause harm

4. Providing excessive treatment

The correct answer is: A healthcare provider should have known what could cause harm

Negligence in a healthcare context primarily involves a failure to act in a manner that a reasonable person—particularly one in a similar environment—would. This encompasses the idea that a healthcare provider should have been aware of potential risks that could cause harm to a patient. The concept underscores the responsibility of professionals to adhere to a standard of care, meaning they must possess the requisite knowledge and skills for preventing foreseeable harm. In this context, if a healthcare provider fails to recognize potential dangers that could lead to injury or illness, that lapse can be classified as negligence. It highlights the necessity for vigilance and awareness in patient care, ensuring that appropriate measures are taken to avoid harm. This understanding of negligence contrasts with the other options. A failure to communicate properly is indeed significant but more aligned with issues of communication breakdown, rather than the broader concept of negligence. Inability to perform duties addresses competence or capacity rather than the duty of care expected from a provider. Providing excessive treatment could fall under a different legal category, such as malpractice or over-treatment, rather than negligence specifically. Therefore, the choice that accurately represents negligence is the one emphasizing a provider's awareness of potential harm.