Behavioral Science & Ethics USMLE Step 1 Practice Question
A 45-year-old woman with newly diagnosed breast cancer (stage II, ER/PR positive on pathology) presents with anxiety and asks her physician not to disclose her diagnosis to family members. She denies suicidal ideation. Her husband calls the office the next day requesting detailed information about his wife's medical condition and prognosis. The patient has not previously authorized release of her medical information. Which of the following is the most appropriate response by the physician?
Answer choices
- ARefer the husband to the hospital ethics committee
- BInform the husband that you cannot share information without the patient's consentCorrect answer
- CDisclose the diagnosis because the husband has a right to know
- DTell the husband the diagnosis but ask him to keep it confidential
- EDisclose the diagnosis because it may affect the husband's health decisions
- FDisclose the diagnosis to the husband as a medical emergency exception to confidentiality
See the full explanation
Get the correct-answer rationale, why each distractor is wrong, the underlying mechanism, and high-yield associations — plus adaptive practice that targets your weak areas — with a free MedBoardPRO account.