FREE NBOME Medical Ethics & Professionalism Questions and Answers

Question 1

Which ethical principle is most relevant when a patient refuses life-saving treatment due to personal beliefs?

Accepted Answer

Autonomy

Answer

Beneficence

Answer

Non-maleficence

Answer

Justice

Question 2

What is the primary purpose of obtaining informed consent?

Accepted Answer

To ensure the patient understands the procedure and its implications

Answer

To protect the physician from liability

Answer

To expedite the treatment process

Answer

To comply with hospital policy

Question 3

A colleague is impaired by alcohol while on duty. What is the most appropriate action?

Accepted Answer

Report the colleague to the appropriate authority

Answer

Ignore it to avoid conflict

Answer

Confront them privately but take no further action

Answer

Cover their shift without documentation

Question 4

Which of the following violates patient confidentiality?

Accepted Answer

Sharing medical records with a patient's employer without consent

Answer

Discussing a patient's condition with their treating specialist

Answer

Documenting treatment in the electronic health record

Answer

Discussing a case anonymously in a medical conference

Question 5

What is the ethical justification for allocating scarce medical resources (e.g., ventilators) during a pandemic?

Accepted Answer

Maximizing the number of lives saved

Answer

First-come, first-served

Answer

Prioritizing the wealthiest patients

Answer

Favoring younger patients exclusively

Question 6

A patient with decisional capacity requests to discontinue chemotherapy. What should the physician do?

Accepted Answer

Respect the patient's decision and document thoroughly

Answer

Continue treatment against their wishes

Answer

Delay treatment until family members agree

Answer

Seek a court order to enforce treatment

Question 7

Which scenario constitutes a boundary violation in a physician-patient relationship?

Accepted Answer

Accepting a expensive gift from a patient

Answer

Prescribing evidence-based medication

Answer

Explaining a diagnosis in lay terms

Answer

Referring to a specialist when needed

Question 8

What is the primary ethical duty of a physician when a medical error occurs?

Accepted Answer

Disclose the error to the patient and team

Answer

Document the error but avoid discussing it

Answer

Blame a colleague to avoid liability

Answer

Only report if the patient notices

Question 9

Which action aligns with the principle of justice in healthcare?

Accepted Answer

Allocating vaccines based on medical need, not ability to pay

Answer

Prioritizing VIP patients for appointments

Answer

Charging higher fees for uninsured patients

Answer

Refusing care based on religious beliefs