A Doctor Makes a Serious Error During the Course of Diagnosing

question 42

Multiple Choice

A doctor makes a serious error during the course of diagnosing a patient.The patient subsequently dies.The deceased patient's family members bring a lawsuit against the doctor.All the experts who testify agree that the doctor failed to meet the standard of care but that if appropriate care had been provided,the patient would have died in any event.The family members' case against the doctor will

• A)succeed because all the experts agree the doctor provided substandard care.
• B)fail because the doctor likely provided the patient with informed consent.
• C)succeed because the law imposes strict liability upon doctors in similar circumstances.
• D)fail because the plaintiff cannot prove causation which is an essential element of the tort of negligence.

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Definitions:

Mother

A female parent who may share a biological and/or social and emotional relationship with her offspring.

Very-Low-Birthweight Infants

Infants who weigh less than 1,250 grams (around 2.25 pounds) or, regardless of weight, have been in the womb less than 30 weeks.

Prematurity

The condition of a baby being born before the completion of the normal term of pregnancy, typically before 37 weeks of gestation.

Small-For-Gestational-Age

Refers to infants whose birth weight or length is significantly below the norm for their gestational age, often due to genetic factors or issues during pregnancy.