Texas Jurisprudence Exam Physician Assistant Practice Exam

Regarding patient care activities, who retains legal responsibility in addition to the physician assistant?

1. The clinic administrator

2. The supervising physician

3. The patient

4. The office nurse

The correct answer is: The supervising physician

The legal responsibility for patient care activities often involves shared accountability between the physician assistant and the supervising physician. In a clinical setting, the supervising physician is responsible for overseeing the actions of the physician assistant, and this includes ensuring that the care provided meets the necessary standards of practice. This supervisory relationship is a fundamental aspect of the practice of physician assistants, as they operate under the delegation of the physician. In addition to clinical oversight, the supervising physician must ensure that the physician assistant has the appropriate training and competence for the tasks they are delegated. Consequently, in matters of legal responsibility regarding patient care, both the physician assistant and the supervising physician are implicated when it comes to patient treatment and safety. This shared responsibility helps to uphold the quality of care and offers a legal framework to which both parties must adhere. Other choices, such as the clinic administrator, the patient, and the office nurse, do not hold the same level of direct legal responsibility for patient care activities as the supervising physician. While they may play supportive roles within the clinic, they are not positioned to assume responsibility for clinical decisions made by the physician assistant. Thus, when considering legal accountability in healthcare, the relationship between a physician assistant and their supervising physician is crucial.