Behavioral Science & Ethics USMLE Step 1 Practice Question
A 40-year-old man presents for a routine physical examination. During the visit, he discloses that he is HIV-positive and has not informed his wife. He refuses to tell her or allow the physician to disclose his status. The physician is aware that the wife is also a patient at the same practice. Which of the following is the most appropriate next step?
Answer choices
- AReport the patient to the public health department for contact tracing
- BCounsel the patient on the importance of disclosure and offer to assist with the conversationCorrect answer
- CRefuse to continue treating the patient until he discloses
- DInform the wife directly because she is at risk
- ERespect the patient's confidentiality and take no further action
- FDocument the patient's refusal to disclose in the medical record and schedule a follow-up appointment with the wife to discuss general sexual health screening
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