Behavioral Science & Ethics USMLE Step 1 Practice Question
A 45-year-old male with hypertension (BP 142/88, HR 98) involved in a motor vehicle accident litigation is examined. His medical record documents a previous myocardial infarction (troponin I 0.02 ng/mL, ejection fraction 40% on echocardiography) and denies current chest pain. An attorney subpoenas his complete medical records without patient authorization. The physician has not received written consent from the patient. Which of the following is the most appropriate action?
Answer choices
- ARelease only a summary of the records, not the full chart
- BContact the patient to obtain authorization before releasing recordsCorrect answer
- CSend the records directly to the court without notifying the patient
- DRelease the records because a subpoena is a legal order
- ERefuse to release the records and ignore the subpoena
- FRelease the records directly to the attorney without patient notification since the subpoena demonstrates legal authority
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