Professional Ethics and Standards Flashcards
7 cards from real ABA practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Professional Ethics and Standards flashcards as text
An anesthesiologist discovers intraoperatively that a surgeon is performing a procedure outside the consented scope. What is the most appropriate ethical response?
Answer: Inform the surgeon of the concern and advocate for the patient
The anesthesiologist has an independent duty to advocate for the patient and must communicate concerns to the surgeon about scope of consent.
Which principle underpins the ABA requirement that diplomates report impairment in a colleague?
Answer: Non-maleficence toward patients who may be harmed
Non-maleficence—preventing harm to patients—is the primary ethical basis for mandatory reporting of an impaired colleague.
A patient refuses a blood transfusion on religious grounds despite a life-threatening hemorrhage. The anesthesiologist should:
Answer: Honor the refusal if the patient is competent and properly informed
A competent adult's informed refusal of treatment must be respected regardless of the anesthesiologist's personal or religious views.
Which action best demonstrates adherence to the ABA's commitment to professionalism regarding social media use?
Answer: Avoiding any online commentary that could breach patient confidentiality
Avoiding disclosures that could breach confidentiality upholds professionalism and HIPAA compliance on all digital platforms.
An anesthesiologist is asked to provide a medical opinion in a legal case involving a colleague's alleged malpractice. Ethical standards require that the expert:
Answer: Provide an honest, objective opinion regardless of the outcome for the colleague
Expert witnesses are ethically obligated to provide truthful, objective testimony and must not shade opinion to favor a colleague.
When an anesthesiologist has a direct financial relationship with a device manufacturer whose product they recommend to patients, ABA ethics requires:
Answer: Full disclosure of the relationship to patients and the institution
Full disclosure of financial conflicts of interest to patients and the institution is required to preserve trust and informed decision-making.
A patient in the preoperative area becomes visibly distressed and withdraws consent minutes before induction. The correct action is:
Answer: Halt the case and ensure the surgical team is notified of withdrawn consent
Consent can be withdrawn at any time by a competent patient, and the entire team must be informed so the procedure is stopped.