Behavioral Science & Ethics USMLE Step 1 Practice Question
A 78-year-old man with advanced pancreatic cancer and an estimated life expectancy of 2 months tells his physician he wants to stop all treatment, including IV fluids and nutrition. His adult children disagree and want aggressive treatment continued. The patient has decision-making capacity. Which of the following is the most appropriate action?
Answer choices
- AObtain a psychiatric evaluation before honoring the request
- BConsult the ethics committee to override the patient's decision
- CHonor the patient's wishes and discontinue treatmentCorrect answer
- DTransfer the patient to hospice against the family's wishes without further discussion
- EContinue treatment per the family's request until a court hearing
- FPrescribe antidepressants to improve the patient's mood and reconsider the request after 2 weeks
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