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

Performing an undisclosed additional procedure violates informed consent because the patient had no opportunity to accept or refuse the flank liposuction.

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

Surgeons cannot ethically or legally guarantee outcomes; valid consent requires disclosure and comprehension, not outcome promises.

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

Surgeons practicing in the United States must follow FDA regulations and U.S. standards of care for all patients regardless of their country of origin.

Question 4

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

Accepted Answer

Maintain patient confidentiality and avoid misleading promotional content

Answer

Surgeons may use social media but must protect patient confidentiality and ensure all promotional content is truthful and non-deceptive.

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

The immediate priority is patient safety by intervening with the colleague directly, followed by escalation through appropriate channels if the problem persists.

(ABPS) Certified American Board of Plastic Surgery Practice Test

(ABPS) Certified American Board of Plastic Surgery Practice Test

ABPS Ethics & Professional Standards in Plastic Surgery 3