CASPer Exam CASPer: 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: You are a medical student and discover a classmate has been fabricating patient interaction notes. What is the most appropriate first step?
- Report directly to the program director without speaking to the classmate
- Confront the classmate privately and encourage them to self-report (Correct answer)
- Ignore it since it does not directly affect patient safety yet
- Tell other classmates to warn them about this person
Correct answer: Confront the classmate privately and encourage them to self-report
Giving the classmate an opportunity to self-report respects their autonomy while still addressing the ethical violation directly.
Question 2: During a CASPer scenario, a friend asks you to cover for them by lying about their whereabouts to their supervisor. What should you do?
- Lie for them since friendship is important
- Decline to lie but offer to help them handle the situation honestly (Correct answer)
- Avoid the question by telling the supervisor you don't know
- Report the friend to the supervisor immediately
Correct answer: Decline to lie but offer to help them handle the situation honestly
Refusing to lie while offering constructive support upholds integrity without abandoning the relationship.
Question 3: A patient tells you confidential information but also discloses intent to harm a specific person. What is the most appropriate response?
- Maintain full confidentiality since the patient disclosed this in trust
- Break confidentiality and warn the intended victim and authorities (Correct answer)
- Document it but take no further action
- Ask the patient to promise they will not act on it
Correct answer: Break confidentiality and warn the intended victim and authorities
Duty-to-warn obligations override standard confidentiality when there is a credible, specific threat of harm to others.
Question 4: You witness a supervisor behaving rudely toward a patient. The patient looks distressed but says nothing. What do you do?
- Do nothing to avoid conflict with the supervisor
- Immediately interrupt the supervisor in front of the patient
- Check in with the patient afterward and document the incident appropriately (Correct answer)
- Complain to coworkers about the supervisor's behavior
Correct answer: Check in with the patient afterward and document the incident appropriately
Attending to the patient's wellbeing first and then documenting ensures patient advocacy without escalating unprofessionally in the moment.
Question 5: Which of the following best describes the purpose of the CASPer test in professional school admissions?
- To assess academic knowledge in science subjects
- To evaluate situational judgment, professionalism, and interpersonal skills (Correct answer)
- To replace letters of recommendation entirely
- To measure standardized test-taking ability under pressure
Correct answer: To evaluate situational judgment, professionalism, and interpersonal skills
CASPer is specifically designed to assess non-cognitive skills like empathy, ethics, and communication relevant to professional practice.
Question 6: You are part of a group project and one member consistently does not contribute. The deadline is tomorrow. What is the best approach?
- Complete their portion yourself without saying anything
- Exclude them from the final submission and notify the instructor
- Have a direct conversation with them about the impact of their absence on the team (Correct answer)
- Submit the project without their sections and note the discrepancy
Correct answer: Have a direct conversation with them about the impact of their absence on the team
Direct communication gives the team member a chance to explain or contribute before taking escalating action.
Question 7: A colleague discloses they are struggling with substance use but is still performing their clinical duties safely. What is the most appropriate response?
- Report them to the licensing board immediately
- Express concern, encourage them to seek help, and monitor the situation closely (Correct answer)
- Say nothing since their performance has not been affected
- Inform all team members so everyone can watch them
Correct answer: Express concern, encourage them to seek help, and monitor the situation closely
Expressing empathy and encouraging professional help balances colleague welfare with patient safety vigilance.
CASPer Exam CASPer: 2
You are a medical student and discover a classmate has been fabricating patient interaction notes.
What is the most appropriate first step?