MCCQE Ethics and Legal Duties 3

Question 1

A patient with terminal cancer has a valid advance directive refusing resuscitation.
During a hospital admission for pneumonia, the patient becomes unconscious.
Family members demand full resuscitation.
What should the physician do?

Accepted Answer

Honor the advance directive and explain its legal status to the family

Answer

Follow the family's wishes to avoid conflict

Answer

Attempt resuscitation as a compromise

Answer

Consult ethics committee before making any decision

Question 2

Which of the following best describes the principle of non-maleficence in clinical practice?

Accepted Answer

Avoiding actions that cause unnecessary harm

Answer

Maximizing patient benefit at any cost

Answer

Treating all patients equally regardless of resources

Answer

Respecting patient autonomy above all other principles

Question 3

A physician is asked to complete a disability form for a patient they have not examined. What is the ethical concern?

Accepted Answer

Fraudulent certification without adequate assessment

Answer

Violation of patient confidentiality

Answer

Breach of therapeutic privilege

Answer

Conflict with substitute decision-maker rights

Question 4

A patient requests that the physician withhold a cancer diagnosis from them and share all information only with their adult children. How should the physician respond?

Accepted Answer

Explore the patient's reasons and negotiate an acceptable disclosure plan respecting autonomy

Answer

Comply fully and disclose only to the children

Answer

Refuse to follow the request and disclose everything directly to the patient

Answer

Refer the patient to another physician

Question 5

Under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, which section most directly protects a patient's right to make medical decisions about their own body?

Accepted Answer

Section 7 — Life, liberty, and security of the person

Answer

Section 2 — Fundamental freedoms

Answer

Section 15 — Equality rights

Answer

Section 8 — Search and seizure protection

Question 6

A physician has a personal moral objection to prescribing medical assistance in dying (MAID). What is their legal obligation in Canada?

Accepted Answer

They must provide an effective referral to a willing provider

Answer

They may refuse without any further duty

Answer

They must provide MAID regardless of personal beliefs

Answer

They must transfer the patient's care entirely

Question 7

A research participant enrolled in a clinical trial develops an unexpected serious adverse event. What is the researcher's immediate obligation?

Accepted Answer

Immediately report the event to the Research Ethics Board and consider stopping the trial

Answer

Complete the trial before reporting to minimize bias

Answer

Inform only the sponsor and continue

Answer

Withdraw the participant silently to protect trial data