Behavioral Science & Ethics USMLE Step 1 Practice Question
A 17-year-old girl presents to family medicine clinic requesting oral contraceptives and explicitly requests confidentiality from her parents. Vital signs are normal (BP 118/76, HR 78, RR 16, Temp 98.6°F). She denies sexual abuse and reports being in a consensual relationship. Urine pregnancy test is negative. The physician practices in a state permitting minors to independently consent to contraceptive services. She takes no other medications. Which of the following is the most appropriate next step?
Answer choices
- ARefuse to prescribe until parental consent is obtained
- BPrescribe the contraceptives and maintain confidentialityCorrect answer
- CPrescribe the contraceptives and inform the parents for safety
- DDelay prescribing until the patient turns 18
- ERefer the patient to a pediatric gynecologist
- FPrescribe the contraceptives but require the patient to inform her parents within one week
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