MSRA MSRA Ethics and Law

Question 1

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

Accepted Answer

Respect the refusal, document it, and provide alternative management

Answer

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.

Question 2

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?

Accepted Answer

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

Answer

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.

Question 3

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?

Accepted Answer

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

Answer

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.

Question 4

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?

Accepted Answer

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

Answer

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.

Question 5

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

Accepted Answer

Report immediately to the Clinical Director or nominated responsible officer

Answer

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.

MSRA Exam (Multi-Specialty Recruitment Assessment) Practice Test

MSRA Exam (Multi-Specialty Recruitment Assessment) Practice Test

MSRA MSRA Ethics and Law