MSRA Ethics and Law Flashcards

A competent adult patient refuses a blood transfusion on religious grounds despite life-threatening haemorrhage. What should the clinician do?

Answer: Respect the refusal, document it, and provide alternative management

Competent adults have an absolute right to refuse treatment, even if that decision may result in death; the clinician must respect this, document clearly, and offer all alternative measures.

A 15-year-old patient presents alone requesting oral contraception. She demonstrates good understanding of the risks and benefits. What does the Fraser competency assessment determine?

Answer: Whether the specific treatment can be provided without parental knowledge if the patient is competent

Fraser guidelines allow a clinician to provide contraception to a competent young person under 16 without parental consent if specific criteria are met, respecting confidentiality.

A patient with schizophrenia refuses antipsychotic medication. He is currently detained under Section 3 of the Mental Health Act. Can treatment be given without consent?

Answer: Yes — Section 3 allows treatment for mental disorder without consent after 3 months under Part IV MHA

Under Part IV of the Mental Health Act, a patient detained under Section 3 can be treated for mental disorder without consent after 3 months, subject to second opinion (SOAD) safeguards.

A junior doctor is asked to obtain consent from a patient for a complex bowel resection they have never performed. What is the ethically correct action?

Answer: Refuse and ensure the consenting clinician has the knowledge and skill to perform the procedure

GMC guidance states that consent should be obtained by a clinician who has sufficient knowledge of the procedure to answer questions; delegating to an uninformed person renders consent invalid.

A doctor discovers their colleague is performing procedures while impaired by alcohol. What is the appropriate first action under GMC duty of candour?

Answer: Report immediately to the Clinical Director or nominated responsible officer

GMC Good Medical Practice requires doctors to act promptly when patient safety is at risk from a colleague's health, conduct, or performance — escalation to the responsible officer is mandatory.

Which ethical principle underpins the obligation to obtain informed consent before any medical procedure?

Answer: Autonomy

Informed consent is rooted in the principle of autonomy — the patient's right to make informed decisions about their own body and treatment.