Medical ethics: practice question

A Forensic Medicine 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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Forensic Medicine · Medical ethics

Sample item

What should be disclosed after a significant medical error?

AFacts, likely impact, apology, and remedial planBNothing until litigation beginsCA fabricated explanationDOnly information requested by social media

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Facts, likely impact, apology, and remedial plan

Open disclosure after significant error involves honest explanation, apology where appropriate, discussion of likely consequences, and steps to mitigate harm.

Option by option

A. Facts, likely impact, apology, and remedial plan (correct)
Correct: transparent disclosure supports patient trust and safety.
B. Nothing until litigation begins
Delay can compromise patient care and trust.
C. A fabricated explanation
Fabrication is unethical and harmful.
D. Only information requested by social media
Social media is not the appropriate disclosure channel.

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.

Questions about this Forensic Medicine question

What is the answer to this Forensic Medicine question?

The best answer is A, Facts, likely impact, apology, and remedial plan. Open disclosure after significant error involves honest explanation, apology where appropriate, discussion of likely consequences, and steps to mitigate harm.

Why is "Nothing until litigation begins" not the answer?

Delay can compromise patient care and trust.

Why is "A fabricated explanation" not the answer?

Fabrication is unethical and harmful.

Why is "Only information requested by social media" not the answer?

Social media is not the appropriate disclosure channel.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Medical ethics in Forensic Medicine. The correct option holds because: Correct: transparent disclosure supports patient trust and safety.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. 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 Medical ethics?

Learn postmortem changes with their timelines, and toxicology as poison, sign, test and antidote. Then use the flashcards and the other Forensic Medicine 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.