FAC Facial Aesthetics Patient Consultation & Ethical Practices 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A patient who is 17 years old presents alone requesting dermal filler. What is the correct action under US regulations?
- Treat if the patient signs consent
- Treat only with a parent or legal guardian present and consenting (Correct answer)
- Treat with two practitioners witnessing consent
- Decline permanently as minors cannot receive fillers
Correct answer: Treat only with a parent or legal guardian present and consenting
Minors cannot provide legal consent; a parent or guardian must be present and consent on their behalf in most US states.
Question 2: Which of the following is a red flag indicating a patient may have unrealistic expectations from facial aesthetic treatment?
- Asking for a natural result
- Bringing multiple celebrity photos and requesting an identical appearance (Correct answer)
- Requesting a follow-up appointment
- Asking about the duration of results
Correct answer: Bringing multiple celebrity photos and requesting an identical appearance
Requesting to look like a specific celebrity suggests unrealistic expectations and possible psychological vulnerability.
Question 3: What is the primary purpose of a medical history questionnaire completed before a facial aesthetic consultation?
- To comply with advertising standards
- To identify contraindications and tailor treatment safely (Correct answer)
- To create a legal contract with the patient
- To document the patient's financial status
Correct answer: To identify contraindications and tailor treatment safely
Medical history forms identify contraindications, allergies, and risk factors that guide safe treatment planning.
Question 4: A practitioner posts a patient's before-and-after images on Instagram without consent. This most directly violates which principle?
- Non-maleficence
- Beneficence
- Confidentiality (Correct answer)
- Justice
Correct answer: Confidentiality
Sharing identifiable patient images without consent is a breach of confidentiality and data protection obligations.
Question 5: Which of the following best describes 'duty of candour' in facial aesthetics practice?
- The obligation to advertise all available treatments
- The professional duty to be open and honest when something goes wrong (Correct answer)
- The requirement to obtain second opinions
- The duty to charge fair prices
Correct answer: The professional duty to be open and honest when something goes wrong
Duty of candour requires practitioners to be transparent with patients when treatment results in harm or unexpected outcomes.
Question 6: A patient returns unhappy with their lip filler result one week post-treatment. Which is the best first step?
- Offer an immediate top-up at no cost
- Listen empathetically, review the medical records, and assess the outcome objectively (Correct answer)
- Suggest the patient wait 6 months for results to settle
- Refer the patient to another practitioner immediately
Correct answer: Listen empathetically, review the medical records, and assess the outcome objectively
A thorough, empathetic review using clinical records is the appropriate first step before deciding on any corrective action.
Question 7: In the context of facial aesthetics, what does 'cooling-off period' refer to?
- Waiting for anaesthetic to wear off before assessment
- A mandatory gap between consultation and first treatment to allow patient reflection (Correct answer)
- The period after filler when icing is applied
- A required waiting period before administering neurotoxin top-ups
Correct answer: A mandatory gap between consultation and first treatment to allow patient reflection
A cooling-off period gives patients time to reflect on their decision before proceeding with an elective aesthetic treatment.
FAC Facial Aesthetics Patient Consultation & Ethical Practices 3
A patient who is 17 years old presents alone requesting dermal filler.
What is the correct action under US regulations?