Repeated USMLE Questions Step 1- 185

A 29-year-old man is brought to the ER by a policeman. He was driving his car under the influence of alcohol. The policeman asks the ER physician to get a sample of this patient’s gastric contents for analysis. The physician explains the procedure to him but the patient refuses to go through it.

What is the best next action?

A-Force the patient to do the procedure

B-Respect the patient’s wishes and don’t do this procedure

C-Convince the patient falsely that this procedure is part of treatment and do it

D-Inject the patient with anesthesia and do the procedure

Answer







The physician’s mission is to take care of patients under all circumstance. The physician should respect the right of any patient to refuse treatments or any other procedures. The policeman doesn’t have the authority on medical decisions and medical ethics. However, blood alcohol level should be performed without the patient’s permission.

The correct answer is B