FACEM Professional Ethics and Standards 2

Question 1

An emergency physician suspects a colleague is impaired by alcohol while on shift. What is the most appropriate immediate action?

Accepted Answer

Notify hospital administration and remove the colleague from clinical duties

Answer

Patient safety requires immediate removal of an impaired clinician from clinical duties, with prompt notification to hospital administration.

Question 2

A patient presents unconscious after a drug overdose. No family is available. Regarding disclosure of this patient's information to their employer who calls demanding details, the physician should:

Accepted Answer

Decline to confirm or deny the patient's presence without consent

Answer

Confidentiality obligations persist even when the patient is unconscious; information may not be disclosed to an employer without the patient's prior consent.

Question 3

Under the ACEM Code of Ethics, the principle of justice in emergency medicine primarily refers to:

Accepted Answer

Fair distribution of healthcare resources and equitable treatment

Answer

Justice in medical ethics refers to fair and equitable allocation of healthcare resources and treating all patients without discrimination.

Question 4

A physician in a rural emergency department encounters a patient who needs a procedure the physician has not performed for several years. The best course of action is:

Accepted Answer

Assess current competence, seek supervision or guidance, and escalate if needed

Answer

Clinicians must honestly assess their current competence, seek support where possible, and escalate appropriately rather than proceeding recklessly or refusing necessary care.

Question 5

When obtaining informed consent in the emergency department, which element is NOT required?

Accepted Answer

Guarantee of a successful outcome

Answer

Informed consent requires disclosure of risks, alternatives, and the nature of treatment, but physicians cannot and should not guarantee outcomes.

(FACEM) Fellowship of the Australasian College for Emergency Medicine Practice Test

(FACEM) Fellowship of the Australasian College for Emergency Medicine Practice Test

FACEM Professional Ethics and Standards 2