Behavioral Science & Ethics USMLE Step 1 Practice Question
A 28-year-old man is brought to the emergency department after a motor vehicle collision. He is hemodynamically unstable with a systolic blood pressure of 70 mmHg and requires an emergent blood transfusion. He is wearing a medical alert bracelet indicating he is a Jehovah's Witness and refuses blood products. He is alert and oriented. Which of the following is the most appropriate action?
Answer choices
- ARespect the patient's refusal and use alternative volume resuscitationCorrect answer
- BAdminister blood products after the patient loses consciousness
- CObtain a court order to authorize the transfusion
- DContact the patient's family to override his decision
- ETransfuse blood products because this is a life-threatening emergency
- FAdminister blood products with informed consent from the patient's legal guardian
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.