Ethics Test Questions

Question 1

how much information should a doctor tell a patient

Answer 1

info should be tailored to what the patients want to know or need to know such as risks

Question 2

when can confidentiality be broken from a competent patient

Answer 2

without patient consent if there is risk of serious harm or

death to others

Question 3

according to GMC guideline what info do you tell patients about treatment

Answer 3

what they want or need to know

Question 4

the duty of confidentiality is owed to which patients

Answer 4

all patients regardless of their age or competence

Question 5

if someone is refusing treatment but cant speak how would you discuss it

Answer 5

assess her ability to understand the need for the treatment but make sure you adhere to her wishes before going ahead

Question 6

if a 14 year old wanted antibiotics should you prescribe them without consent

Answer 6

if the teen is Gillick competent then he has the ability to understand the treatment, has maturity and understands the risks etc

Question 7

if someone has capacity do they have the right to refuse treatment options

Answer 7

yes, but you should fully inform them of all options available which she has the right to refuse or accept

Question 8

if someone was having memory problems and refuses treatment what should you do

Answer 8

conduct a functional test for capacity as cognitive impairment could be affecting her decision making

Question 9

what does the second stage of the functional test assess

Answer 9

whether a patient can understand, retain and weigh up relevant information and communicate it back to make a decision

Question 10

should all children be consulted about treatment despite any distress it may causes

Answer 10

yes, if they have the capacity to understand, especially if it is a life or death situation

Question 11

if someone refuses treatment which will result in death is that their right

Answer 11

yes, if there is no reason to think that she lacks the capacity to make this decision

Question 12

when should the second stage of the functional test be carried out

Answer 12

when the patient shows evidence of impairment to the mind or brain

Question 13

what did the bolam case give rise to

Answer 13

led to the bolam test for negligence of doctors - a doctor is not guilty of negligence when they have acted in accordance with practice accepted as proper by a responsible body of medical opinion

Question 14

duty of confidentiality covers what types of information

Answer 14

hard copy, computerised, text, picture, video, audiotapes and any information in the memory of medical professional

Question 15

what is undue influence and how does it affect treatment decisions

Answer 15

occurs when a patients decision cannot be taken to really be their own decision and the treatment can only be offered without it
valid consent must be voluntary

Question 16

what was the bolitho case

Answer 16

mother of 2 year old sued hospital for negligence causing death of the child

Question 17

how did the bolitho case improve the bolam test

Answer 17

it highlighted that the medical opinion to back up the doctor must be both reasonable and responsible - better safeguards patients

Question 18

is it okay to talk to a next of kin disclosing information without consent of the patient

Answer 18

no - you must get patient consent no matter the next of kin provided they have capacity

Question 19

what are the GMC guidelines about honesty and why is it good

Answer 19

require you to be honest and it builds a trusting relationship which enables good patient care

Question 20

if someone is under the age of 18 should you without information from parents

Answer 20

yes, it is not deceptful as the parents have no right to the information

Question 21

what was the result of the debbie purdy case regarding assisted suicide abroad

Answer 21

it is against the law to aid someone in going abroad for suicide - maximum penalty of 15 years
produced new guidance which clearly sets out when prosecution should be considered

Question 22

if parents are asking questions about the case what should you do

Answer 22

confidentiality of the patient should be respected but also the doctor must be honest - so you should try your best to evade questions and only say answers associated with treatment of the patient

Question 23

what happens when an adult patient lacks capacity

Answer 23

the decisions must be made from them by the doctor

Question 24

if someone told the doctor about refusal of treatment but then lost ability of capacity do you still listen to them from before

Answer 24

if treatment causes harm then the doctor has the ability to overrule what was said before as the patient no longer has the capacity to understand the risk

Question 25

a GIllick competent child has the ability to do what

Answer 25

provide valid consent to any treatment

Question 26

what do 16-17 have ability to do for treatment in england and wales

Answer 26

16 / 17 are presumed to be competent and therefore don’t need gillick test but they may not refuse treatment if it is overruled in court if it is in their best interests