Behavioral Science & Ethics USMLE Step 1 Practice Question
A 28-year-old unmarried woman with no children presents to her primary care physician requesting surgical sterilization. Vital signs are normal (BP 118/76, HR 72, RR 14, Temp 98.6°F). She denies depression or suicidal ideation. The surgeon refuses the procedure, stating "you might want children later." The patient reports stable employment and a committed long-term partner. Which response by the primary care physician best addresses this ethical concern while respecting patient autonomy?
Answer choices
- ACounsel the patient that sterilization is irreversible and therefore unethical
- BRefer the patient to another surgeon and document the original refusalCorrect answer
- CRecommend the patient wait 5 years before making this decision
- DSupport the surgeon's refusal based on beneficence
- ESuggest the patient first complete her college education
- FPrescribe a course of reversible long-acting contraception and reassess the sterilization request in 2 years
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.