MSRA MSRA Ethics and Law 3

Question 1

Which of the following best defines the legal standard of capacity under the Mental Capacity Act 2005?

Accepted Answer

The ability to understand, retain, weigh, and communicate a decision

Answer

The ability to make the right decision

Answer

Having an IQ above a threshold value

Answer

Agreement with the treating clinician's recommendation

Question 2

A terminally ill patient with capacity asks the doctor to administer a lethal dose of medication. What is the legal position in England and Wales?

Accepted Answer

Illegal — active euthanasia is not lawful

Answer

Permitted under the doctrine of double effect

Answer

Legal if two doctors agree the patient is terminally ill

Answer

Legal if the patient has a valid advance directive

Question 3

A hospital audit reveals a systematic issue where a specific consent form omits a significant risk of paralysis for spinal surgery. What is the most appropriate response?

Accepted Answer

Perform a root cause analysis, update the consent form, and implement a system-wide change with staff education

Answer

Update only future consent forms

Answer

Report individual surgeons to the GMC

Answer

Inform only the patients who suffered the complication

Question 4

A GP receives a Subject Access Request (SAR) from a patient requesting their full medical records. Under GDPR/UK GDPR, what is the maximum response time?

Accepted Answer

30 days (one month)

Answer

7 days

Answer

28 days

Answer

3 months

Question 5

A doctor performs a procedure slightly beyond the scope of consent because they encounter an unexpected finding intraoperatively that is easily correctable. What ethical issue arises?

Accepted Answer

The extension must be justified by an imminent threat to the patient's life or health that could not reasonably be deferred

Answer

None — intraoperative flexibility is always permissible

Answer

Only a problem if the outcome is poor

Answer

Acceptable if the patient had signed a general surgical consent

Question 6

Which of the following is a mandatory notification to the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in England?

Accepted Answer

Deaths of service users where abuse or neglect may have contributed

Answer

All clinical complaints

Answer

All surgical complications

Answer

Every medication error regardless of harm