Surgical ethics: capacity: 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: capacity

Sample item

A patient with bowel obstruction refuses surgery after demonstrating that they understand the risks, alternatives, and likely outcome, and can explain their reasoning consistently. What is the appropriate response?

AAsk relatives to override the patientBRespect the capacitated refusal while offering ongoing care and reassessmentCDocument nothing because surgery was declinedDOperate without consent because the decision seems unwise

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Respect the capacitated refusal while offering ongoing care and reassessment

A capacitated adult may refuse recommended treatment, including life-saving surgery. Clinicians should ensure informed discussion, address reversible barriers, document carefully, and continue supportive care.

Option by option

A. Ask relatives to override the patient
Relatives cannot override a capacitated adult's choice.
B. Respect the capacitated refusal while offering ongoing care and reassessment (correct)
Correct. Capacity and informed refusal govern the decision.
C. Document nothing because surgery was declined
Clear documentation is essential in high-stakes refusal.
D. Operate without consent because the decision seems unwise
An unwise decision is not itself evidence of incapacity.

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 General Surgery question

What is the answer to this General Surgery question?

The best answer is B, Respect the capacitated refusal while offering ongoing care and reassessment. A capacitated adult may refuse recommended treatment, including life-saving surgery.

Why is "Ask relatives to override the patient" not the answer?

Relatives cannot override a capacitated adult's choice.

Why is "Document nothing because surgery was declined" not the answer?

Clear documentation is essential in high-stakes refusal.

Why is "Operate without consent because the decision seems unwise" not the answer?

An unwise decision is not itself evidence of incapacity.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Surgical ethics: capacity in General Surgery. Clinicians should ensure informed discussion, address reversible barriers, document carefully, and continue supportive care.

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: capacity?

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.