Question: A 15-year-old boy develops excruciating testicular pain from torsion of the testis. The family internist urged emergency surgery as recommended by the urologist, but the parents refused. Which of the following accurately describes the issue of consent?

A. Even if the boy nods in assent, this would be invalid consent as he is a minor.

B.... »

Question: A woman developed primary pulmonary hypertension (PPH) 4 years after she had stopped using the prescription weight-loss drug, fenfluramine. The drug is known to cause valvular heart lesions as well as PPH. In a wrongful death lawsuit, her estate won a jury award of $1 billion in compensatory and exemplary damages. The defense appealed the size of... »

Question: A physician injected silicone into a patient for purposes of breast augmentation, but used a preparation that was labeled "not for human use." The patient experienced inflammation, burning and discoloration, and subsequently developed chronic cyst formation in the breasts. In a lawsuit against the doctor, which of the following best... »

Question: Intending to help an elderly patient suffering from dementia and Parkinsonism, a neurologist applied a series of therapeutic ultrasound treatments to her head. The patient had seen other neurologists previously, but their conventional measures were ineffective. The neurologist had used the novel method in the past, and claims it had been safe and... »

Question: Which of the following is not a violation of Medicare/Medicaid fraud statutes?

A. Referring patients to a lab of which your spouse is part owner.

B. Hospital "remuneration," such as below-market office leases or expensive tickets to events.

C. Forgiving the co-pay portion of a retired colleague’s bill.

D. Marketing Food and Drug... »

Question: A doctor hopes to use his Internet skills to reach out to patients and grow his practice. He is aware of potential legal risks, but plans to institute appropriate safeguards. Which of the following statements are most accurate?

A. Saving and systematically filing e-mail messages should suffice to comply with privacy requirements.

B. Online... »

Question: Regarding professional misconduct, which of the following choices is best?

A. The term covers a broad range of behaviors, e.g., substance abuse, fraud, and sexual misconduct, but excludes felonies that do not directly involve patients.

B. Regulating physician conduct by a state medical board is society’s only means of deterring substandard... »