ABD Professional Knowledge 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A patient requests that a dermatologist not disclose a melanoma diagnosis to their family members who are also your patients. What is the most appropriate action?
- Honor patient confidentiality and do not disclose to family (Correct answer)
- Immediately warn all related patients of hereditary risk
- Disclose only to the spouse
- Post the diagnosis in a shared chart note visible to family
Correct answer: Honor patient confidentiality and do not disclose to family
Patient confidentiality must be maintained unless the patient consents to disclosure.
Question 2: Under the ABD Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program, how often must diplomates complete continuing certification requirements?
- On a continuous ongoing basis with periodic milestones (Correct answer)
- Only once every 20 years
- Never after initial certification
- Only when changing employers
Correct answer: On a continuous ongoing basis with periodic milestones
MOC requires ongoing participation with periodic assessment and CME milestones.
Question 3: A dermatologist is offered payment by a pharmaceutical company to prescribe a specific biologic. This arrangement most directly violates which principle?
- Conflict of interest and anti-kickback standards (Correct answer)
- Informed consent
- Confidentiality
- Continuity of care
Correct answer: Conflict of interest and anti-kickback standards
Accepting payment to influence prescribing violates conflict-of-interest and anti-kickback rules.
Question 4: When obtaining informed consent for Mohs surgery, which element is essential to include?
- Risks, benefits, and reasonable alternatives (Correct answer)
- Only the surgeon's fee
- The patient's insurance history
- The names of other patients treated
Correct answer: Risks, benefits, and reasonable alternatives
Informed consent requires disclosure of risks, benefits, and alternatives.
Question 5: A resident notices an attending performed a procedure on the wrong lesion site. The most professional response is to:
- Report the error transparently through proper channels (Correct answer)
- Ignore it to avoid conflict
- Alter the chart to match
- Blame the nursing staff
Correct answer: Report the error transparently through proper channels
Medical errors must be disclosed and reported transparently for patient safety.
Question 6: Which is the correct approach when a patient with limited English proficiency needs to consent to a biopsy?
- Use a qualified medical interpreter (Correct answer)
- Ask a random family member to translate
- Proceed without consent
- Use only written English forms
Correct answer: Use a qualified medical interpreter
A qualified interpreter ensures accurate communication and valid consent.
Question 7: A dermatologist wants to post a patient's before/after photos on social media for marketing. What is required?
- Explicit written patient authorization (Correct answer)
- No requirement since photos help others
- Only verbal agreement
- Approval from the marketing team alone
Correct answer: Explicit written patient authorization
Using identifiable patient images requires explicit written authorization.
