Ethics Practice Questions
Medical ethics tests the elements of valid consent, the emergency exception, the mature minor doctrine, and refusal of treatment by capable patients, which is high-yield on the MCCQE, USMLE Step 2 CK, and PLAB. These four sample questions come from MediLingo's bank of 3,900+ questions across 23 specialties.
Sample questions
Question 1
Which set of elements must all be present for informed consent to be valid?
a) Capacity, disclosure, voluntariness, and understanding ✓ Correct
b) Legal age of majority, a signed consent document, witness attestation, and formal notarization
c) Family agreement, the attending physician recommendation, and completion of a written consent form
d) Hospital policy compliance, review by legal counsel, and confirmation of insurance coverage
Key teaching point: Valid consent = Capacity + Disclosure + Voluntariness + Understanding. All four must be present.
Question 2
Under what circumstances may a physician treat without consent under the emergency exception?
a) When the physician believes treatment is in the patient’s best interest and the family agrees
b) The patient lacks capacity, urgent treatment is needed to prevent serious harm, no SDM is available, and no prior valid refusal exists ✓ Correct
c) When the patient is unconscious and no family member is present to provide consent
d) During a declared public health emergency or mass casualty situation
Key teaching point: Emergency exception: incapable + urgent + no SDM + no prior refusal. Prior competent refusals (advance directives) must be honoured.
Question 3
Under the mature minor doctrine in Canada, when can a minor consent to treatment without parental involvement?
a) Minors under the age of majority require parental consent for all medical treatment
b) When the minor demonstrates sufficient understanding and maturity to appreciate the nature and consequences of the proposed treatment ✓ Correct
c) For treatments a physician considers minor or low-risk in clinical nature
d) When a court order has been obtained authorizing the minor to consent
Key teaching point: Mature minor: capacity-based, not age-based. A minor who understands treatment and consequences can consent. Age threshold varies by province.
Question 4
A capable adult Jehovah’s Witness refuses a life-saving blood transfusion. What is the physician’s legal obligation?
a) Administer the transfusion because preserving life overrides a religious refusal
b) Respect the refusal, ensure the patient understands the consequences, and document thoroughly; do not transfuse ✓ Correct
c) Seek a court order to override the refusal
d) Transfer the patient to another facility without providing any supportive care
Key teaching point: A capable adult’s informed refusal is absolute, even if life-saving. Confirm capacity/understanding, document, offer alternatives, respect autonomy.
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