dr. questions ethics 9

[Anonymous]

9) A 22-year-old, married woman presents with pain in her lower right abdomen. Her abdomen is tender to palpation and there is rebound tenderness. The patient reports nausea, and has a temperature of 38.3 C (101 F). A diagnosis of acute appendicitis is made, and the patient consents to, and is scheduled for immediate surgery. Prior to the surgery, the woman tells the surgeon that she is a practicing Catholic, and says that she will pray for the successful completion of the surgery. Surgical examination of the appendix reveals that it is normal and without inflammation. Examination of the abdominal cavity reveals that the true underlying cause of the patient’s pain is an ectopic pregnancy on the right side. At this point, what action should the surgeon take next?

A. Close the incision, wait until the patient recovers from anesthesia, and seek full informed consent before proceeding
B. Consult the chief of surgery
C. Consult with the local Catholic chaplain about how to proceed based on the woman’s expressed religious beliefs.
D. Seek permission to operate on the ectopic pregnancy from the woman’s spouse
E. Surgical intervention to deal with the cause of the pain

[Anonymous]

The Ans is A.