ABPS Ethics & Professional Standards in Plastic Surgery 3

Question 1

A patient consents to an abdominoplasty and, during surgery, the surgeon decides to also perform liposuction of the flanks without prior discussion. This represents a violation of:

Accepted Answer

Informed consent and patient autonomy

Answer

Beneficence only

Answer

The principle of nonmaleficence only

Answer

Institutional credentialing standards

Question 2

Which element is NOT required for a legally and ethically valid informed consent in plastic surgery?

Accepted Answer

Patient's guarantee of a satisfactory result

Answer

Description of the proposed procedure

Answer

Discussion of material risks and alternatives

Answer

Confirmation that the patient understands the information

Question 3

A patient from another country presents requesting a procedure that is legal in their home country but not FDA-approved in the United States. The ethical standard requires the surgeon to:

Accepted Answer

Adhere to U.S. standards of care and FDA regulations regardless of the patient's origin

Answer

Perform it if the patient provides written acknowledgment of the regulatory difference

Answer

Defer to the patient's cultural norms as an expression of patient autonomy

Answer

Perform it only if the procedure has been approved elsewhere by a recognized authority

Question 4

Regarding social media use, ABPS ethical standards require plastic surgeons to:

Accepted Answer

Maintain patient confidentiality and avoid misleading promotional content

Answer

Avoid all social media to prevent HIPAA violations

Answer

Never respond to patient questions online under any circumstances

Answer

Use only platforms with built-in HIPAA-compliant encryption

Question 5

A plastic surgeon notices a partner in their practice is impaired by alcohol during office hours. The first appropriate ethical action is to:

Accepted Answer

Address the situation directly with the colleague and ensure no patients are harmed

Answer

Immediately report to the state medical board without speaking to the colleague

Answer

Document the observations and wait to see if patients are injured

Answer

Inform patients currently scheduled with the impaired physician

Question 6

A patient who is a minor requests augmentation rhinoplasty. Which scenario would be most ethically appropriate to proceed?

Accepted Answer

The minor is 16, emotionally mature, and gives assent with parental consent after nasal growth is complete

Answer

The minor is 14 and parents provide full consent

Answer

The minor is 17 and insists on surgery over parental objection

Answer

The minor is 15 with a documented psychological evaluation supporting surgery

Question 7

In the context of the physician-patient relationship, sexual contact between a plastic surgeon and a current patient is:

Accepted Answer

Always unethical due to the inherent power imbalance

Answer

Acceptable if the patient initiates the contact

Answer

Permissible after the surgical episode of care ends

Answer

Governed solely by state law and not professional ethics