ABOG Professional Ethics & Standards 3

Question 1

A patient requests her complete medical records including psychotherapy notes. Under HIPAA, what is the physician's obligation?

Accepted Answer

Provide all records except psychotherapy notes, which have special protections

Answer

HIPAA grants patients the right to access their medical records, but psychotherapy notes have special protections and may be withheld from the standard designated record set.

Question 2

During a prenatal visit, a patient asks her OB/GYN not to disclose her HIV-positive status to her husband. What is the most appropriate ethical response?

Accepted Answer

Respect the patient's confidentiality and not disclose to the husband

Answer

Physician-patient confidentiality generally protects the HIV-positive patient's information; disclosure to partners typically requires patient consent except where state law mandates partner notification.

Question 3

Which concept describes the obligation of physicians to distribute healthcare resources fairly across the population?

Accepted Answer

Justice

Answer

Justice in bioethics refers to the fair and equitable distribution of healthcare benefits, burdens, and resources across individuals and society.

Question 4

An obstetrics resident notices an attending physician is impaired by alcohol during an on-call shift. What is the most appropriate action?

Accepted Answer

Take over the patient's care and report the impairment to a senior supervisor immediately

Answer

Physician impairment poses immediate danger to patients; the resident is ethically and professionally obligated to ensure patient safety and report the situation to a supervisor.

Question 5

A patient in active labor loses capacity due to eclamptic seizures. Her previously stated birth plan specifies no cesarean section. What should the physician do?

Accepted Answer

Perform the cesarean section if clinically indicated, as prior expressed wishes are not binding in emergencies

Answer

When a patient loses capacity in an emergency, the physician must act in the patient's best medical interest; a previously stated birth preference is not an advance directive with the same legal weight.

(ABOG) American Board of Obstetrics & Gynecology Practice Test

(ABOG) American Board of Obstetrics & Gynecology Practice Test

ABOG Professional Ethics & Standards 3