OCC Professionalism & Medical Ethics 2

Question 1

A competent 72-year-old patient refuses a recommended colonoscopy after a full discussion of risks and benefits. What is the most appropriate action?

Accepted Answer

Respect the refusal and document the informed refusal discussion

Answer

Competent adults may refuse care, and the physician should document the informed refusal.

Question 2

Which element is NOT required for valid informed consent?

Accepted Answer

A witness who is a family member

Answer

Valid consent requires disclosure, capacity, understanding, and voluntariness; a family member witness is not required.

Question 3

A physician discovers a medication error that caused a patient minor, temporary harm. What is the ethically preferred response?

Accepted Answer

Disclose the error promptly and honestly to the patient

Answer

Professional ethics require prompt, honest disclosure of errors that affect patients.

Question 4

Under the Tarasoff principle, when may a physician breach confidentiality?

Accepted Answer

When a patient makes a credible threat of serious harm to an identifiable person

Answer

Tarasoff established a duty to protect identifiable third parties from credible threats of serious violence.

Question 5

A pharmaceutical representative offers a physician an all-expenses-paid resort weekend to attend a product talk. What is the best response?

Accepted Answer

Decline because the gift creates a conflict of interest

Answer

Lavish gifts from industry create conflicts of interest and are discouraged by professional ethics codes.

OCC - Osteopathic Continuous Certification Practice Test