Block 9 Behave Ethics Questions

1. Your upstairs neighbor, a pleasant elderly woman, is riding up in the elevator with you one afternoon. You ask her how she has been, and she tells you she's had a terrible chest cold that has left her wheezing and shortness of breath. You reach your floor, and as you exit the elevator, tell her you to hope she feels better soon. Two months later, your neighbor sues you for negligent care for failing to tell you that her symptoms were indicative of lung cancer, which she was just diagnosed with.
What is the most likely outcome of the case?

The physician will prevail because he had no duty to the woman.

The physician will prevail because he is not the cause in fact of her injury.

The physician will prevail because the woman cannot prove damages.

The woman will prevail because she can show she lost the chance for a better outcome.

The most likely outcome of the case is that the physician will prevail because he had no duty to the woman. The question states that the person being sued is referred to as a "physician," which suggests that they are a medical professional. In this scenario, the physician is not responsible for the woman's diagnosis of lung cancer because she did not seek medical advice or treatment from him. Additionally, there is no indication that the physician had any knowledge or reason to suspect that her symptoms were indicative of lung cancer. Therefore, it can be concluded that the physician had no duty to warn the woman about her symptoms.

Explanation

The most likely outcome of the case is that the physician will prevail because he had no duty to the woman. The question states that the person being sued is referred to as a "physician," which suggests that they are a medical professional. In this scenario, the physician is not responsible for the woman's diagnosis of lung cancer because she did not seek medical advice or treatment from him. Additionally, there is no indication that the physician had any knowledge or reason to suspect that her symptoms were indicative of lung cancer. Therefore, it can be concluded that the physician had no duty to warn the woman about her symptoms.

2. The physician sees a man injured on the road on his way to the hospital. The physician is somewhat late. He

Keeps driving because he has to reach the hospital

Calls an ambulance and leaves

Takes the injured man to the hospital

Gives the man a hanky and leaves

None of these

The physician takes the injured man to the hospital because as a medical professional, it is his duty to provide immediate medical assistance to those in need. Despite being somewhat late, he prioritizes the well-being of the injured man over his own schedule.

Explanation

The physician takes the injured man to the hospital because as a medical professional, it is his duty to provide immediate medical assistance to those in need. Despite being somewhat late, he prioritizes the well-being of the injured man over his own schedule.

3. A 26-year-old female patient with end-stage renal disease decides that she is tired of being on hemodialysis and refuses to continue. She has the capacity to understand that without dialysis, she will die, although she is not suicidal.
As her physician, what is the best course of action?

Order a psychiatric evaluation to confirm she understands what terminating dialysis means

Honor her decision not to continue dialysis while ensuring she is comfortable and not in pain

Refer the situation to the ethics committee for further evaluation

Refer the situation to the hospital’s legal counsel to ensure the hospital won’t be held liable for discontinuing dialysis.

The best course of action in this situation is to honor the patient's decision not to continue dialysis while ensuring she is comfortable and not in pain. This is because the patient has the capacity to understand the consequences of discontinuing dialysis and has made an informed decision. It is important to respect the patient's autonomy and provide support to ensure her comfort during this difficult time. Ordering a psychiatric evaluation or involving the ethics committee, legal counsel, or parents would not be appropriate as the patient's decision is clear and does not indicate any mental health concerns or ethical dilemmas.

Explanation

The best course of action in this situation is to honor the patient's decision not to continue dialysis while ensuring she is comfortable and not in pain. This is because the patient has the capacity to understand the consequences of discontinuing dialysis and has made an informed decision. It is important to respect the patient's autonomy and provide support to ensure her comfort during this difficult time. Ordering a psychiatric evaluation or involving the ethics committee, legal counsel, or parents would not be appropriate as the patient's decision is clear and does not indicate any mental health concerns or ethical dilemmas.

4. A young child is running on the road and then gets hit by a car. His mother comes in a hurry and starts crying. The boy is not heavily injured, but he still needs some treatment. The physician watches everything from his car. What should he do?

He should not care much as his mother is there to handle things.

He should not care much as the boy is not in danger.

He should let other people handle it.

He should go to the boy and check if things are too serious or not and then act accordingly.

He should mind his own business.

The correct answer is that the physician should go to the boy and check if things are too serious or not and then act accordingly. This is because even though the boy is not heavily injured, it is still important for the physician to assess the situation and provide any necessary treatment. The mother's presence does not negate the need for medical attention, and it is the physician's responsibility to ensure the well-being of the child.

Explanation

The correct answer is that the physician should go to the boy and check if things are too serious or not and then act accordingly. This is because even though the boy is not heavily injured, it is still important for the physician to assess the situation and provide any necessary treatment. The mother's presence does not negate the need for medical attention, and it is the physician's responsibility to ensure the well-being of the child.

5. A newly admitted patient is being rude to the nurse. He is reasonably right, but he is being rude while putting his concern forward. The physician

Will ask the patient to be polite and then listen to his concern to solve the problem.

Will shout at the nurse to be foolish.

Will ask the patient to leave the hospital as soon as possible.

Will call the cops and let them handle the situation.

Will shout at the patient for being rude to the nurse.

The physician will ask the patient to be polite and then listen to his concern to solve the problem. This response acknowledges the patient's right to express their concern but also addresses the issue of rudeness. By asking the patient to be polite, the physician sets a respectful tone for the conversation and ensures that the nurse is treated with dignity. Listening to the patient's concern demonstrates empathy and a willingness to address the problem at hand.

Explanation

The physician will ask the patient to be polite and then listen to his concern to solve the problem. This response acknowledges the patient's right to express their concern but also addresses the issue of rudeness. By asking the patient to be polite, the physician sets a respectful tone for the conversation and ensures that the nurse is treated with dignity. Listening to the patient's concern demonstrates empathy and a willingness to address the problem at hand.

6. A patient is admitted to the hospital for a total knee replacement. The surgeon forgets to order deep venous thrombosis prophylaxis for the patient, which is standard for all knee replacements. The surgery is a success, and the patient does not develop deep venous thrombosis. Several months later, the patient obtains a copy of his chart and sees the omission. He filed a lawsuit against the surgeon claiming he provided sub-standard care. What is the most likely outcome of the case?

The patient will prevail because the physician clearly deviated from the standard of care.

The physician will prevail because the patient suffered no damages.

The patient will prevail because the physician’s actions satisfy both elements of causation.

The physician will prevail because he warned the patient of the risk of deep venous thrombosis.

The patient will prevail because the physician is held to a higher standard of care than an ordinary person.

The most likely outcome of the case is that the physician will prevail because the patient suffered no damages. Despite the surgeon forgetting to order deep venous thrombosis prophylaxis, the patient did not develop the condition and therefore did not experience any harm or damages as a result of the omission. In a medical malpractice case, it is essential to prove that the negligence or error of the healthcare provider caused harm or injury to the patient in order for the patient to prevail. Since there were no damages in this case, the physician is likely to succeed in defending against the lawsuit.

Explanation

The most likely outcome of the case is that the physician will prevail because the patient suffered no damages. Despite the surgeon forgetting to order deep venous thrombosis prophylaxis, the patient did not develop the condition and therefore did not experience any harm or damages as a result of the omission. In a medical malpractice case, it is essential to prove that the negligence or error of the healthcare provider caused harm or injury to the patient in order for the patient to prevail. Since there were no damages in this case, the physician is likely to succeed in defending against the lawsuit.

7. You are a psychiatrist in session with a patient who tells you he thinks his roommate is out to get him. The patient is mildly schizophrenic. The patient asks you if you can keep a secret, and before you can answer, he tells you he plans to kill the roommate "when the time is right." What is the most appropriate course of action for you to take?

Attempt to discourage the patient from his plan while respecting confidentiality

Inform the medical director of your practice of the situation and let him handle it

Inform the patient’s roommate that he is in danger

Inform the patient’s roommate and the police that the roommate is in danger

Given the patient's statement about planning to kill his roommate, it is essential to prioritize the safety of the roommate. Informing the patient's roommate and the police about the potential danger is the most appropriate course of action in this situation. This action ensures that immediate steps can be taken to protect the roommate from harm.

Explanation

Given the patient's statement about planning to kill his roommate, it is essential to prioritize the safety of the roommate. Informing the patient's roommate and the police about the potential danger is the most appropriate course of action in this situation. This action ensures that immediate steps can be taken to protect the roommate from harm.

8. A patient arrives at the hospital, and he is heavily injured. He lacks some admission fees, and his brother is on the way to reach the hospital. The physician

Will start treating the patient as soon as he reaches you.

Will wait for his brother to arrive.

Will see if the brother is coming in five minutes or not, and then you will proceed.

Will decide according to the injury.

Will ask the patient to leave.

The physician will start treating the patient as soon as he reaches the hospital because the patient is heavily injured and in need of immediate medical attention. The lack of admission fees or the arrival of the patient's brother is not a determining factor in this situation. The priority is to provide timely medical care to the patient.

Explanation

The physician will start treating the patient as soon as he reaches the hospital because the patient is heavily injured and in need of immediate medical attention. The lack of admission fees or the arrival of the patient's brother is not a determining factor in this situation. The priority is to provide timely medical care to the patient.

9. A 7-year-old girl is brought to an urgent care clinic by her 17-year-old sister. The little girl was putting away the dishes and accidentally cut her hand on a knife. The cut will require a few stitches to close. Despite multiple attempts, the older sister cannot reach her parents, who are at a charity dinner.
What is the most appropriate action for the physician to take?

The physician should get permission from the older sister to stitch the cut.

The physician should continue to try to reach the parents for consent to stitch the cut.

The physician should get consent to stitch the cut from the girl’s grandparents, who are of legal age to consent.

The most appropriate action for the physician to take is to continue trying to reach the parents for consent to stitch the cut. It is important to obtain parental consent for medical procedures, especially for a minor. The physician should exhaust all efforts to contact the parents and inform them about the situation before proceeding with any treatment.

Explanation

The most appropriate action for the physician to take is to continue trying to reach the parents for consent to stitch the cut. It is important to obtain parental consent for medical procedures, especially for a minor. The physician should exhaust all efforts to contact the parents and inform them about the situation before proceeding with any treatment.

10. The physician is going to his home, and today it's his son's birthday. On the way, he says an old woman is going to the hospital, and she is shivering, and her skin is pale. She seems to be ill. What should the physician do?

He should keep driving as it's his son's birthday.

He should keep driving as it's none of his business.

He should ask that lady to ask someone to give her a lift.

He should give that old woman a lift and take her to the hospital.

None of these

The physician should give the old woman a lift and take her to the hospital because she appears to be ill and in need of medical attention. It is his professional duty to help those in need, regardless of personal commitments or the fact that it is his son's birthday.

Explanation

The physician should give the old woman a lift and take her to the hospital because she appears to be ill and in need of medical attention. It is his professional duty to help those in need, regardless of personal commitments or the fact that it is his son's birthday.