PLAB 2 Professional Ethics & Safeguarding

Question 1

During an OSCE station, you discover that a colleague has been consistently arriving drunk to work. What is your professional obligation?

Accepted Answer

You have a duty to report your concerns to a senior colleague, clinical supervisor, or responsible officer — patient safety takes precedence. The GMC guidance 'Raising and Acting on Concerns' requires action when patients may be at risk

Answer

It is not your responsibility — ignore it

Answer

Directly confront the colleague in public

Answer

Write an anonymous letter to the GMC immediately without speaking to the colleague first

Question 2

A 10-year-old boy attends A&E with a bruise on his back. His mother explains he fell down stairs. On examination you notice multiple old bruises in various stages of healing and a pattern inconsistent with accidental injury. What is the most appropriate action?

Accepted Answer

Maintain a high index of suspicion for non-accidental injury; admit the child for safeguarding assessment; consult the paediatric safeguarding team; do not discharge without specialist review; document all findings accurately

Answer

Accept the explanation and discharge

Answer

Call the police immediately and accuse the mother

Answer

Discuss with the mother only and seek her consent before involving safeguarding teams

Question 3

A patient in your clinic discloses she is experiencing domestic violence from her partner. She does not want anyone to know. What is the most appropriate response?

Accepted Answer

Provide immediate safety information, document sensitively, offer referral to domestic violence support services, consider safeguarding risk (especially if children are involved or severe risk to life), and respect her autonomy while maintaining regular review

Answer

Report to police immediately without her consent

Answer

Dismiss the disclosure as it is not a medical matter

Answer

Ask her partner to come in for a joint consultation

Question 4

A medical student asks you to allow them to perform a vaginal examination on a patient under anaesthesia who had not specifically consented to this. What should you do?

Accepted Answer

Refuse — intimate examinations under anaesthesia require specific consent. Performing any examination without appropriate consent constitutes battery, regardless of educational benefit

Answer

Allow it as it is common practice in teaching hospitals

Answer

Allow it only if a consultant is present

Answer

Allow it but document it as a routine procedure

Question 5

During a PLAB 2 OSCE station, you are asked to take a history from a patient through an interpreter. What communication principles should you follow?

Accepted Answer

Speak directly to the patient (not the interpreter), use short sentences, pause frequently, avoid medical jargon, use professional interpreters rather than family members, and check understanding regularly

Answer

Speak to the interpreter and let them manage the conversation

Answer

Use written communication only

Answer

Speak loudly and slowly to the patient without a professional interpreter

Question 6

A frail 85-year-old patient is brought to hospital by her son who mentions he has Power of Attorney. He asks that his mother not be told about her cancer diagnosis 'as it would upset her'. What should you do?

Accepted Answer

Assess the patient's capacity; if she has capacity, she has the right to receive information about her own health. An LPA for health and welfare does not allow the attorney to prevent disclosure of a diagnosis to a patient with capacity. If she lacks capacity, best interests still usually supports honesty

Answer

Follow the son's wishes — he has legal authority

Answer

Avoid telling the patient to avoid conflict with the family

Answer

Document the son's request and discharge the patient without discussion