CMI Ethical Standards & Professional Practices 5

Question 1

When a medical illustrator publishes a case-study article featuring an identifiable patient image, which ethical requirement must be met before publication?

Accepted Answer

Written informed consent from the patient specifically authorizing the publication

Answer

Publication of identifiable patient images requires explicit written consent from the patient authorizing that specific use.

Question 2

A medical illustrator's long-term client asks them to backdate a contract to avoid a regulatory filing deadline. The illustrator should:

Accepted Answer

Refuse, as backdating a contract is fraudulent and violates professional ethics

Answer

Backdating contracts to circumvent regulatory requirements constitutes fraud and is an unambiguous violation of professional and legal ethics.

Question 3

In medical illustration, 'idealization' refers to depicting anatomy in a way that is cleaner or more perfect than reality. When is idealization ethically acceptable?

Accepted Answer

When clearly labeled as idealized or used in appropriate educational contexts where clarity outweighs total realism

Answer

Idealization is ethically acceptable in educational contexts when it is transparent and serves pedagogical clarity, not when it misleads.

Question 4

Under U.S. copyright law, which of the following works created by a medical illustrator is NOT automatically protected by copyright?

Accepted Answer

An illustration consisting solely of geometric shapes with no original creative expression

Answer

Copyright protection requires a minimum degree of original creative expression; purely functional or non-creative arrangements of basic shapes do not qualify.

Question 5

A CMI discovers that their employer is using their portfolio images in marketing materials beyond the agreed scope. The most appropriate initial action is:

Accepted Answer

Review the original contract terms and raise the issue in writing with the employer

Answer

Reviewing contractual terms and addressing the issue in writing with the employer is the appropriate first step before escalating to external bodies or legal action.

(CMI) Certified Medical Illustrator Practice Test

(CMI) Certified Medical Illustrator Practice Test

CMI Ethical Standards & Professional Practices 5