The interview question bank

Competing duties with no perfect answer: consent, confidentiality, fairness.

• EthicsIntermediate·MMI station · MD, DO, PA, Nursing, Residency

  Before a shift, you notice your senior resident smells of alcohol. What do you do?

  Professionalism · Patient safety

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  Sample answer outline

  1. 1State the priority: patient safety. If the resident may be impaired, they should not see patients until that is resolved.
  2. 2Don't assume. Speak to them privately and calmly, say what you noticed, and ask how they are.
  3. 3If the concern stands, tell the attending or supervisor before the shift starts. You don't need proof to raise a safety concern.
  4. 4Show care for the colleague: impairment can signal illness or crisis. Point to physician health and support programs.
  5. 5Acknowledge your position as a trainee and follow the hospital's reporting policy.

  What makes it work

  • It balances safety, fairness and compassion instead of picking one.
  • Escalation is proportionate and quick, because patients are at stake.

  Avoid

  • Saying nothing because they are senior.
  • Confronting them in front of the team.

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• EthicsIntermediate·MMI station · MD, DO, PA, Nursing, Residency

  During rotations, you see one of your closest friends cover up a medical error they made with a patient. What do you do?

  Integrity · Patient safety · Professionalism

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  Sample answer outline

  1. 1First check on the patient: are they at risk right now? If so, alert the team immediately.
  2. 2Speak to your friend promptly and privately. Encourage them to disclose and offer to go with them.
  3. 3If they won't, take it to your supervisor yourself. Patient safety outranks loyalty.
  4. 4Acknowledge the pull of friendship and their fear, and point out that errors are reported to fix systems, not only to punish people.

  What makes it work

  • It gives your friend the chance to do the right thing first.
  • Clear priorities: patient, honesty, then the friendship.

  Avoid

  • Staying quiet to protect the friendship.

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• EthicsIntermediate·MMI station · Nursing, PA, MD, DO

  A patient confides they stopped taking prescribed medications due to religious beliefs, but asks you not to tell the physician. Their condition is worsening. How do you respond?

  Confidentiality · Autonomy and consent · Patient safety

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  How to approach ethical dilemma questions

  1. 1Clarify the facts and what you would want to know before acting.
  2. 2Name who is affected and the principles in tension: autonomy, doing good, avoiding harm, fairness, confidentiality.
  3. 3Walk through realistic options, starting with the least drastic.
  4. 4Choose a course of action, explain why, and say who you would involve.

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