ABFM Professional Standards and Ethics 3

Question 1

A patient refuses a blood transfusion based on religious beliefs despite a life-threatening hemorrhage. The physician should:

Accepted Answer

Respect the competent adult's refusal and document thoroughly

Answer

Competent adults have the absolute right to refuse any medical treatment, including life-saving interventions, for any reason including religious beliefs.

Question 2

Which of the following is NOT a component of a valid advance directive?

Accepted Answer

A physician's countersignature

Answer

Advance directives are legal documents requiring patient signature and witnesses/notarization per state law, but a physician countersignature is generally not required for validity.

Question 3

A patient discloses plans to seriously harm a specific, identifiable third party. Under the Tarasoff duty, the physician must:

Accepted Answer

Warn the identifiable potential victim and notify law enforcement

Answer

The Tarasoff ruling established that therapists and physicians have a duty to protect identifiable potential victims by warning them and notifying authorities.

Question 4

A physician in a small town is asked to provide care for a close personal friend. The most appropriate approach is to:

Accepted Answer

Provide emergency care only and facilitate transfer to another physician for ongoing care

Answer

Personal relationships with patients compromise objectivity; physicians should provide emergency care when necessary but arrange for an independent provider for ongoing care.

Question 5

When a patient lacks decision-making capacity and has no advance directive, the standard hierarchy for surrogate decision-making in most US states begins with:

Accepted Answer

The spouse or domestic partner

Answer

In most US states, the legal default surrogate hierarchy begins with the spouse or domestic partner as the first-tier decision-maker.

(ABFM) American Board of Family Medicine Practice Test

(ABFM) American Board of Family Medicine Practice Test

ABFM Professional Standards and Ethics 3