AK Medical Ethics & Patient Rights 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A patient asks their AK practitioner to share their treatment records with a family member without the patient's written authorization. What is the correct response?
- Share records since family members are trusted
- Decline and explain that written patient authorization is required (Correct answer)
- Share only a verbal summary to the family member
- Ask the front desk to decide
Correct answer: Decline and explain that written patient authorization is required
HIPAA requires written patient authorization before disclosing protected health information to third parties, including family members.
Question 2: Which ethical principle obligates an AK practitioner to act in the patient's best interest rather than their own?
- Autonomy
- Justice
- Beneficence (Correct answer)
- Veracity
Correct answer: Beneficence
Beneficence is the ethical obligation to act in the best interest and well-being of the patient.
Question 3: An AK practitioner discovers a colleague is practicing outside their scope of training. The most ethical course of action is to:
- Ignore it to avoid conflict
- Report the concern to the appropriate licensing or professional board (Correct answer)
- Warn patients directly about the colleague
- Confront the colleague publicly
Correct answer: Report the concern to the appropriate licensing or professional board
Reporting concerns about unsafe practice to the appropriate regulatory or professional body protects patient safety and upholds professional standards.
Question 4: A patient with a chronic condition wishes to refuse a treatment the AK practitioner recommends. The practitioner should:
- Proceed with treatment regardless to protect the patient
- Respect the refusal after ensuring the patient is informed of risks (Correct answer)
- Discharge the patient immediately
- Contact the patient's family for permission
Correct answer: Respect the refusal after ensuring the patient is informed of risks
Patient autonomy includes the right to refuse treatment; the practitioner must ensure the patient is fully informed before honoring the refusal.
Question 5: Which document specifically outlines a patient's wishes for care if they become unable to communicate?
- Informed consent form
- HIPAA authorization
- Advance directive (Correct answer)
- Referral form
Correct answer: Advance directive
An advance directive (such as a living will or healthcare proxy) documents a patient's care preferences for situations when they cannot speak for themselves.
Question 6: When obtaining informed consent, which element is NOT required?
- Description of proposed treatment
- Potential risks and benefits
- Available alternatives
- Guarantees of treatment success (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Guarantees of treatment success
Informed consent requires disclosure of treatment details, risks, benefits, and alternatives, but practitioners cannot and must not guarantee specific outcomes.
Question 7: A minor presents for AK treatment without a parent or guardian. Under most US state laws, the practitioner should:
- Treat the minor immediately if they appear mature
- Obtain consent from the minor's school
- Postpone non-emergency treatment until a parent or guardian provides consent (Correct answer)
- Treat the minor only if they verbally agree
Correct answer: Postpone non-emergency treatment until a parent or guardian provides consent
Minors generally cannot legally consent to medical treatment; a parent or guardian must provide consent except in defined emergencies or emancipated minor situations.
AK Medical Ethics & Patient Rights 2
A patient asks their AK practitioner to share their treatment records with a family member without the patient's written authorization.
What is the correct response?