Final answer:
An EMT can still be held liable and NOT protected by the Good Samaritan law if their actions demonstrate gross negligence, which is a severe lack of attention to or care for a patient that goes well beyond simple mistakes or poor judgment. The correct option is D.
Step-by-step explanation:
An EMT can be held liable and not protected by the Good Samaritan law if their actions demonstrate gross negligence. This term refers to a severe lack of attention or care while performing medical duties, which goes beyond mere errors in judgment or poor clinical reasoning. Gross negligence is a serious breach of the EMT's responsibility and indicates actions that are significantly below the accepted standard of care, potentially leading to substantial harm or death of a patient.
Good Samaritan laws are put in place to protect individuals who assist others in emergency situations; however, they do not apply if an EMT acts with gross negligence. Life-and-death decisions, which EMTs often face, require them to adhere to ethical standards and professional protocols. If these standards are grossly violated, resulting in significant harm, the EMT can be held accountable.
Hence, Option D is correct.