WBR0761
| Author | [[PageAuthor::Rim Halaby, M.D. [1]]] |
|---|---|
| Exam Type | ExamType::USMLE Step 1 |
| Main Category | MainCategory::Ethics |
| Sub Category | SubCategory::Pulmonology |
| 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 was waiting outside, asks you what will happen to her father. What is the most appropriate answer in this situation?]] |
| Answer A | AnswerA::"Your 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 providing prognostic information and breached the patient's confidentiality. |
| Answer C | AnswerC::"Your father cannot make it without your continuous support." |
| Answer C Explanation | AnswerCExp::This reply implies the physician providing prognostic information and breached the patient's confidentiality. |
| Answer D | AnswerD::"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." |
| Answer E Explanation | AnswerEExp::This reply implies the physician providing prognostic information and breached the 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. |
| 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 |
| Linked Question | Linked:: |
| Order in Linked Questions | LinkedOrder:: |