General Surgery Board Review Professional Standards & Competencies 4

Question 1

A surgeon performs a technically successful operation but fails to see the patient postoperatively for 5 days. This most likely constitutes:

Accepted Answer

Abandonment if no adequate coverage was arranged

Answer

Failing to provide or arrange adequate postoperative follow-up constitutes patient abandonment, an ethical and legal violation.

Question 2

Which of the following best illustrates the ACGME competency 'Interpersonal and Communication Skills'?

Accepted Answer

Effectively disclosing a surgical complication to a distressed patient

Answer

Disclosing complications with empathy and clarity directly reflects interpersonal and communication skills as defined by ACGME.

Question 3

Regarding the Universal Protocol (Time-Out), which element is MANDATORY before every surgical procedure?

Accepted Answer

Verbal confirmation of patient identity, site, and procedure by all team members

Answer

The Universal Protocol requires an active verbal time-out confirming patient identity, operative site, and procedure with all team members present before incision.

Question 4

A surgeon with known alcohol dependence in sustained remission applies for hospital privileges. The medical staff office should:

Accepted Answer

Evaluate current fitness for duty and consider monitoring agreements

Answer

Credentialing bodies must assess current fitness for duty individually; a history of treated impairment does not mandate automatic denial under ADA principles.

Question 5

The ethical principle of 'justice' in surgical practice most directly applies when a surgeon:

Accepted Answer

Allocates scarce ICU beds equitably among critically ill patients

Answer

Justice refers to fair and equitable distribution of healthcare resources and treatment across patients.

General Surgery Board Review Practice Test

General Surgery Board Review Practice Test

General Surgery Board Review Professional Standards & Competencies 4