AMC MCQ Ethics and Professional Practice 2

Question 1

A 16-year-old requests contraception and refuses to involve her parents. Under Australian law, what principle determines whether you can prescribe?

Accepted Answer

Gillick competence / mature minor assessment of her understanding

Answer

Parental consent is always mandatory under 18

Answer

You must refuse until she turns 18

Answer

Court approval is required for all minors

Question 2

A patient with decision-making capacity refuses a life-saving blood transfusion on religious grounds. What is the ethically and legally correct action?

Accepted Answer

Respect the competent patient's refusal

Answer

Transfuse anyway to save life

Answer

Seek a court order to override

Answer

Wait until they lose consciousness then transfuse

Question 3

Under mandatory reporting obligations in Australia, a doctor must report another practitioner when there is reasonable belief of which 'notifiable conduct'?

Accepted Answer

Practising while intoxicated, sexual misconduct, impairment, or significant departure from standards

Answer

A minor prescribing disagreement

Answer

Any clinical error

Answer

Disagreement over treatment plans

Question 4

A pharmaceutical company offers you a paid overseas conference trip if you prescribe their drug. This is best described as what ethical issue?

Accepted Answer

A conflict of interest requiring disclosure and avoidance

Answer

Acceptable professional development

Answer

Confidentiality breach

Answer

Mandatory reporting trigger

Question 5

A patient asks you not to document their HIV status in shared records. What is the most appropriate response?

Accepted Answer

Explain the clinical and safety importance of accurate records while discussing privacy protections

Answer

Omit it entirely as requested

Answer

Document it in a separate secret file

Answer

Refuse to treat unless they agree

Question 6

When obtaining valid informed consent for surgery, which element is NOT required?

Accepted Answer

A guarantee of a successful outcome

Answer

Disclosure of material risks

Answer

The patient having capacity

Answer

Voluntariness free from coercion

Question 7

An unconscious adult in an emergency needs urgent surgery and no substitute decision-maker is available. What legal doctrine permits treatment?

Accepted Answer

Implied consent through necessity / emergency doctrine

Answer

Mandatory reporting

Answer

Power of attorney

Answer

Coronial authority