ABPS Ethics & Professional Standards in Plastic Surgery 2

Question 1

A plastic surgeon is approached by a medical device company offering significant consulting fees in exchange for exclusively using their implants. What is the most ethically appropriate response?

Accepted Answer

Decline unless the financial relationship is disclosed to patients and the institution

Answer

Accept the arrangement if the implants are FDA-approved

Answer

Accept only if the fees are below $10,000 annually

Answer

Decline only if competitors offer equivalent products

Question 2

A patient requests a rhinoplasty but has body dysmorphic disorder (BDD). According to ABPS ethical standards, the surgeon should:

Accepted Answer

Refer the patient for psychiatric evaluation before considering surgery

Answer

Proceed if the patient signs an informed consent

Answer

Perform a limited procedure to partially satisfy the patient

Answer

Decline surgery only if BDD is formally diagnosed

Question 3

When a plastic surgeon advertises on social media, which practice violates ABPS ethical advertising standards?

Accepted Answer

Guaranteeing specific aesthetic outcomes in promotional content

Answer

Posting before-and-after photos with patient consent

Answer

Listing board certification credentials

Answer

Describing general procedural techniques

Question 4

A colleague performing aesthetic procedures is not board-certified and is marketing themselves as a 'plastic surgery specialist.' A plastic surgeon's ethical obligation is to:

Accepted Answer

Report the misleading credential claims to the appropriate medical board

Answer

Ignore it as a competitive business matter

Answer

Confront the colleague publicly on social media

Answer

Only act if patients file formal complaints

Question 5

A plastic surgeon discovers an intraoperative complication caused by their own error. The most ethical course of action after managing the complication is to:

Accepted Answer

Disclose the error to the patient and explain its management

Answer

Document it in the chart without discussing it with the patient if the outcome is good

Answer

Consult risk management before speaking with the patient

Answer

Only disclose if the error results in permanent harm

Question 6

Under the ABPS Code of Ethics, a surgeon who performs procedures clearly outside their scope of training should:

Accepted Answer

Refrain from performing those procedures until adequate training is completed

Answer

Obtain informed consent specifically addressing their limited experience

Answer

Supervise a more experienced colleague performing the procedure

Answer

Perform the procedure only in an accredited facility

Question 7

A plastic surgeon is asked to provide expert witness testimony in a malpractice case. According to professional ethics, the surgeon must:

Accepted Answer

Provide honest, objective testimony based on accepted standards of care

Answer

Advocate for whichever side hired them

Answer

Decline to testify against fellow plastic surgeons

Answer

Only testify if they have personal knowledge of the case