DHA Medical Ethics & Professionalism 2

Question 1

A competent adult Muslim patient refuses a life-saving blood transfusion citing religious beliefs.
The patient is fully informed of the risks.
What is the ethical and legal obligation of the physician?

Accepted Answer

Respect the refusal, document thoroughly, and provide the best alternative care possible

Answer

Override the refusal and administer the blood transfusion

Answer

Transfer care to another physician who will administer the transfusion

Answer

Seek court authorization to administer the transfusion against the patient's will

Question 2

A physician discovers during a consultation that a patient's husband, who is also his patient, has a sexually transmitted infection. The wife is at risk but the husband refuses to disclose. What is the most appropriate course of action?

Accepted Answer

Counsel the husband on his ethical duty to disclose, offer resources, and consider whether the risk meets the threshold for overriding confidentiality

Answer

Disclose the husband's STI to the wife without hesitation to protect her health

Answer

Maintain absolute confidentiality regardless of risk to the wife

Answer

Refuse to treat either patient further

Question 3

Which of the following best describes the principle of 'non-maleficence' in medical ethics?

Accepted Answer

Avoiding or minimizing harm to patients

Answer

Doing good for patients

Answer

Treating all patients equally regardless of ability to pay

Answer

Respecting patient self-determination

Question 4

A pharmaceutical company offers a physician an all-expenses-paid trip to a medical conference in exchange for preferentially prescribing their drug. This constitutes:

Accepted Answer

A conflict of interest and potentially corrupt practice violating DHA Code of Conduct

Answer

Acceptable continuing medical education (CME)

Answer

A standard industry practice with no ethical concerns

Answer

An acceptable benefit if disclosed to patients

Question 5

When is it ethically permissible for a physician to break patient confidentiality without consent?

Accepted Answer

When required by law (notifiable diseases, court order) or when serious, imminent harm to identifiable third parties cannot otherwise be prevented

Answer

When a family member demands information out of concern for the patient

Answer

When disclosure serves the physician's professional interest (e.g., publishing a case report)

Answer

When the patient is admitted to hospital under any circumstance

Question 6

A 16-year-old patient presents requesting contraceptive counseling without parental knowledge. Under UAE law and medical ethics, how should the physician proceed?

Accepted Answer

Provide counseling and treatment maintaining confidentiality, following UAE laws on minor consent and welfare

Answer

Always disclose to parents as the minor cannot consent

Answer

Refuse to see the minor without a parent present

Answer

Report the minor to school authorities