MSRA Professional Dilemmas 3

Question 1

A relative of a patient asks you for confidential details about the patient's condition, but the patient has not given consent. What should you do?

Accepted Answer

Explain you cannot share details without the patient's consent

Answer

Share the information as they are close family

Answer

Share only the diagnosis but not the prognosis

Answer

Tell them to ask the consultant

Question 2

You are asked to cover an additional ward at short notice, leaving your own patients with reduced cover. What is the most appropriate action?

Accepted Answer

Discuss the staffing concern with the senior on call before agreeing

Answer

Refuse outright and stay where you are

Answer

Agree without raising any concern

Answer

Leave your ward and cover the other one

Question 3

A patient with capacity refuses a treatment you strongly believe they need. What is the most appropriate response?

Accepted Answer

Respect their decision after ensuring they understand the consequences

Answer

Treat them anyway in their best interests

Answer

Discharge them immediately for non-compliance

Answer

Persuade a relative to override the decision

Question 4

You smell alcohol on a colleague who is about to start a clinical shift. What is the most appropriate first action?

Accepted Answer

Speak to them privately and raise it with a senior to ensure patient safety

Answer

Ignore it as you may be mistaken

Answer

Announce it to the whole team

Answer

Cover their shift quietly and say nothing

Question 5

A patient offers you an expensive gift after a successful operation. What is the most appropriate response?

Accepted Answer

Politely decline or follow the trust's policy on accepting gifts

Answer

Accept it as it would be rude to refuse

Answer

Accept it and keep it private

Answer

Ask for cash instead

Question 6

You disagree with a management plan made by your consultant for a patient. What is the most appropriate action?

Accepted Answer

Raise your concerns respectfully with the consultant and discuss the reasoning

Answer

Change the plan yourself without telling anyone

Answer

Follow it silently despite your concerns

Answer

Complain to other juniors about the consultant

Question 7

A junior colleague is clearly overwhelmed and struggling to complete their tasks. What is the most appropriate action?

Accepted Answer

Offer to help and suggest they speak to a senior if needed

Answer

Tell them to manage their own workload

Answer

Report them for being too slow

Answer

Complete their tasks without telling them