Final answer:
Emergency care patients are not always admitted as inpatients; that decision is based on their condition after assessment in the emergency department. In a critical emergency with an unknown blood type, type O negative blood is used for transfusion. Hospitals must provide emergency care irrespective of a patient's insurance status, often leading to higher costs for taxpayers and insured individuals.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct answer to the question about emergency care patients is b) False. While emergency care departments do treat urgent problems, being treated in an emergency department does not necessarily result in being admitted to the hospital as an inpatient. The decision to admit a patient as an inpatient is made based on the specific needs and condition of the patient after initial assessment and treatment in the emergency department. Some patients may be stabilized and discharged without the need for inpatient admission.
Regarding the transfusion in an emergency scenario following a motor vehicle accident, when the patient's blood type is unknown and the condition is critical, type O negative blood is transfused. This is because type O negative blood is the universal donor, making it compatible with all other blood types and minimizing the risk of adverse reactions during a life-threatening emergency.
For patients who visit the emergency department without insurance and often in critical condition, the hospital is required by US law to provide care regardless of the patient's ability to pay. This can result in higher costs being passed on to taxpayers and insured individuals. Additionally, this practice highlights the importance of affordable and accessible healthcare options to prevent such scenarios where individuals delay seeking medical help until it becomes an emergency situation.