Canadian Health Information Management Association Practice Exam 2026 - Free CHIMA Practice Questions and Study Guide

Prioritizing patient treatment based on the severity of injuries aligns with the ethical principle of justice. This principle emphasizes fairness and equity in the distribution of healthcare resources and the treatment of individuals. In emergency and clinical settings, justice requires that healthcare practitioners evaluate patient needs and allocate resources in such a way that those who are most severely injured receive timely and appropriate care.

This principle ensures that all patients are treated equitably, which is particularly important in situations where resources are limited, such as during a mass casualty event. By prioritizing severely injured patients, healthcare providers uphold the tenet of justice by making ethical decisions that reflect the needs of the population while ensuring that care is delivered based on a fair assessment of urgency.

Beneficence focuses on doing good for the patient, which is also a key aspect of healthcare, but it does not specifically address the distribution of services based on severity. Preservation of life is a critical goal of healthcare; however, it does not encapsulate the ethical decision-making surrounding the allocation of resources. The right to care speaks to the obligation of healthcare systems to ensure access to care for all individuals, yet it does not directly relate to how care is prioritized in cases of varying severity.