Situational Judgement

Respecting patient autonomy is a core ethical principle, meaning a competent patient has the right to refuse treatment after being fully informed of the risks. Option A is incorrect because overriding a competent patient's refusal violates their legal rights, while Option C abandons the patient instead of offering alternative care.

Addressing the issue privately with the senior maintains professionalism while ensuring the patient's welfare is addressed, with escalation available if needed. Option A is wrong because confronting a colleague in front of a patient undermines trust and professionalism, while Option C ignores the duty to advocate for patients.

Addressing the error directly and discreetly with the colleague immediately protects patient safety while maintaining professional relationships. A diagram for this topic isn't available yet — the worked example below walks the same reasoning step by step.

• !Option A is incorrect because ignoring the mistake violates a doctor's duty of care, while Option C could unnecessarily alarm the patient before the facts are clarified.
• !Option A is incorrect because overriding a competent patient's refusal violates their legal rights, while Option C abandons the patient instead of offering alternative care.
• !Option A is wrong because confronting a colleague in front of a patient undermines trust and professionalism, while Option C ignores the duty to advocate for patients.
• !Option A is incorrect because confidentiality is not absolute, and Option C is wrong because a patient's celebrity status does not justify breaching their privacy.
• !Option A is incorrect because honesty, courage, wisdom, and charity represent classical virtues rather than the formalized ethical pillars used in modern medicine.

Answer each from memory — you'll see instantly whether you're right and why.

Run a focused 10-question mini-mock on Situational Judgement and see it stick.