Surgical ethics: consent: practice question

A General Surgery question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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General Surgery · Surgical ethics: consent

Sample item

Before elective colectomy, a patient asks about the risk of an anastomotic leak and possibility of stoma formation. What is the surgeon's obligation?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

B. Explain material risks, reasonable alternatives, and the option of no treatment in a way the patient can understand

Valid consent is an informed, voluntary, capacity-based decision. The clinician should discuss material risks relevant to that patient, reasonable alternatives, and the consequences of declining treatment, then answer questions.

Option by option

  • A. Discuss only the most common minor risk

    Serious but less common material risks may matter greatly to an individual patient.

  • B. Explain material risks, reasonable alternatives, and the option of no treatment in a way the patient can understand (correct)

    Correct. This supports informed shared decision-making tailored to the patient's values.

  • C. Delegate all explanation to a family member without the patient's involvement

    A capacitated patient should be involved directly unless they choose otherwise.

  • D. Obtain a signature without discussion

    A signed form alone does not establish informed consent.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this General Surgery question

What is the answer to this General Surgery question?

The best answer is B, Explain material risks, reasonable alternatives, and the option of no treatment in a way the patient can understand. Valid consent is an informed, voluntary, capacity-based decision.

Why is "Discuss only the most common minor risk" not the answer?

Serious but less common material risks may matter greatly to an individual patient.

Why is "Delegate all explanation to a family member without the patient's inv…" not the answer?

A capacitated patient should be involved directly unless they choose otherwise.

Why is "Obtain a signature without discussion" not the answer?

A signed form alone does not establish informed consent.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Surgical ethics: consent in General Surgery. The clinician should discuss material risks relevant to that patient, reasonable alternatives, and the consequences of declining treatment, then answer questions.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Surgical ethics: consent?

Learn classic signs and eponyms alongside what they diagnose. Then use the flashcards and the other General Surgery questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.