FAC Facial Aesthetics Patient Consultation & Ethical Practices 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A patient requests a treatment that you believe is not appropriate for their presenting concern. What is the most ethical course of action?
- Perform the treatment since the patient has consented
- Decline and explain why, offering appropriate alternatives (Correct answer)
- Refer immediately without explanation
- Perform a modified version without telling the patient
Correct answer: Decline and explain why, offering appropriate alternatives
Ethical practice requires honest communication; you should decline inappropriate treatments and offer evidence-based alternatives.
Question 2: Which psychological screening tool is most commonly referenced when identifying patients with Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) risk in aesthetic consultations?
- PHQ-9
- GAD-7
- COPS (Cosmetic Procedure Screening questionnaire) (Correct answer)
- Beck Depression Inventory
Correct answer: COPS (Cosmetic Procedure Screening questionnaire)
The COPS questionnaire is specifically designed to screen aesthetic patients for BDD risk before treatment.
Question 3: During a consultation, a patient discloses they are taking warfarin. What is the primary concern for facial aesthetic procedures?
- Increased infection risk
- Prolonged bleeding and bruising (Correct answer)
- Reduced efficacy of neurotoxins
- Allergic reaction risk
Correct answer: Prolonged bleeding and bruising
Warfarin is an anticoagulant that increases bleeding time, significantly raising the risk of bruising and haematoma formation.
Question 4: What does 'off-label' use of a medical product mean in the context of facial aesthetics?
- Using a product that is counterfeit
- Using a product outside its licensed indications (Correct answer)
- Using a product without a prescription
- Using a product that has expired
Correct answer: Using a product outside its licensed indications
Off-label use refers to applying a licensed product in a way not specified in its official approved indications.
Question 5: A patient presents for lip filler and appears intoxicated. What should the practitioner do?
- Proceed if the patient insists they are fine
- Reduce the filler volume and proceed
- Decline to treat and reschedule when sober (Correct answer)
- Obtain a countersignature from a colleague and proceed
Correct answer: Decline to treat and reschedule when sober
An intoxicated patient cannot give valid informed consent; treatment must be postponed until they are in a suitable state.
Question 6: Which of the following best describes the principle of 'justice' in the context of facial aesthetics ethics?
- Protecting patient confidentiality at all times
- Ensuring fair, equitable treatment and access to care (Correct answer)
- Maximising patient outcomes regardless of cost
- Avoiding any action that could cause harm
Correct answer: Ensuring fair, equitable treatment and access to care
Justice in medical ethics refers to fairness and equitable distribution of benefits and burdens of care.
Question 7: A patient requests before-and-after photos of previous patients to set expectations. What is the appropriate response?
- Share photos freely as they aid informed consent
- Share photos only with other patients' written consent and with identifiers removed (Correct answer)
- Decline entirely as it constitutes advertising
- Share photos on social media to demonstrate outcomes
Correct answer: Share photos only with other patients' written consent and with identifiers removed
Patient confidentiality requires explicit written consent and de-identification before sharing clinical photographs.
FAC Facial Aesthetics Patient Consultation & Ethical Practices 2
A patient requests a treatment that you believe is not appropriate for their presenting concern.
What is the most ethical course of action?