Paramedic National Registry Practice

What is defined as a tort in medical terms?

1. Legal obligation to a patient

2. Breach of duty resulting in an injury

3. Agreement between two parties

4. Standard of care provided to a patient

The correct answer is: Breach of duty resulting in an injury

In medical terms, a tort is defined as a breach of duty that results in injury or harm to another person. This concept is central to medical malpractice and personal injury law. When a healthcare provider fails to meet the expected standard of care in a situation and that failure leads to an injury or damage to the patient, it constitutes a tort. Essentially, tort law addresses situations where one individual's conduct causes injury or loss to another, providing a mechanism for the injured party to seek compensation. While the other options explore related concepts, they do not accurately capture the definition of a tort. Legal obligations to a patient pertain more to ethical duties and responsibilities rather than a legal breach. An agreement between two parties relates to contract law rather than tort law. Lastly, the standard of care refers to the level of care that a reasonably competent healthcare provider would provide, which is often the benchmark used to determine whether a tort has occurred, but it does not itself define a tort.