Behavioral Science & Ethics USMLE Step 1 Practice Question
A 62-year-old man with hypertension (BP 158/92, HR 88, RR 16) presents for elective knee arthroscopy. The surgeon spends 15 minutes explaining the procedure, risks including infection (1% incidence) and bleeding, and alternative conservative management. The patient asks clarifying questions about anesthesia complications and recovery timeline, which the physician addresses thoroughly. The patient then voluntarily signs the surgical consent form without coercion. Which ethical principle is best demonstrated?
Answer choices
- ABeneficence
- BAutonomyCorrect answer
- CJustice
- DFidelity
- ENonmaleficence
- FPaternalism
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