WBR0761

Author	[[PageAuthor::Rim Halaby, M.D. [1]]]
Exam Type	ExamType::USMLE Step 1
Main Category	MainCategory::Ethics
Sub Category	SubCategory::Pulmonology, SubCategory::General Principles
Prompt	[[Prompt::A 62 year old man presents to the your office complaining of dry cough. Following appropriate work-up, he is diagnosed with small cell lung carcinoma and requires chemotherapy. During his first session of chemotherapy in the hospital, you visit the patient and make sure he has no complaints. After your visit, the patient's 27 year old daughter, who is waiting outside, asks you what will happen to her father. What is the most appropriate answer in this situation?]]
Answer A	AnswerA::"I apologize I may not answer your question. You may discuss with your father all what you need to know."
Answer A Explanation	AnswerAExp::The physician is not supposed to disclose any information about the patient's without the patient's consent.
Answer B	AnswerB::"Your father will hopefully recover if he continues his chemotherapy."
Answer B Explanation	AnswerBExp::This reply implies the physician is providing prognostic information and breaching patient's confidentiality.
Answer C	AnswerC::"Your father cannot make it without your continuous support."
Answer C Explanation	AnswerCExp::This reply implies the physician is providing prognostic information and breaching patient's confidentiality.
Answer D	AnswerD::"We should not speak publicly of your father's condition. Please visit me in my office to talk to you confidentially."
Answer D Explanation	AnswerDExp::The physician is not supposed to disclose any information about patient medical information. This includes public or private conversations with other individuals.
Answer E	AnswerE::"It is too early to tell what will happen to your father. Let us hope for the best"
Answer E Explanation	AnswerEExp::This reply implies the physician is providing prognostic information and breaching patient's confidentiality.
Right Answer	RightAnswer::A
Explanation	[[Explanation::Patient confidentiality is very important in medicine. Physicians are not allowed to disclose any information about adult patients' medical records, their diseases, treatment plans, prognosis, or even their identities as patients to other individuals. Adults are all individuals who are 18 years of age or older. When confronted with situations where family members inquire about a patient, physicians are expected to politely refrain from giving information without the patient's consent. Alternatively, physicians may ask the family members to ask the patient what they need to know. Educational Objective: A physician must not disclose any information about adult patients to anyone without the patient's consent. Educational Objective: References: ]]
Approved	Approved::No
Keyword	WBRKeyword::patient, WBRKeyword::adult, WBRKeyword::information, WBRKeyword::confidentiality, WBRKeyword::confidential, WBRKeyword::medical, WBRKeyword::record, WBRKeyword::records, WBRKeyword::prognosis, WBRKeyword::daughter, WBRKeyword::small, WBRKeyword::cell, WBRKeyword::lung, WBRKeyword::carcinoma, WBRKeyword::cancer, WBRKeyword::chemotherapy, WBRKeyword::consent, WBRKeyword::informed, WBRKeyword::disclose, WBRKeyword::disclosure
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