While Having Dinner at a Restaurant with a Colleague, a Physician

question 209

Multiple Choice

While having dinner at a restaurant with a colleague, a physician notices one of his patients sitting at a neighboring table with her husband.  When exiting the restaurant, the patient approaches the table and exchanges some brief pleasantries with the physician's colleague.  She then nods briefly in the physician's direction but says nothing to him.  The physician acknowledges the gesture with a smile.  Afterward, the physician's colleague asks, "Is she your patient?  She's a family friend who was recently diagnosed with breast cancer.  I have been worried about her and wonder how she's doing."  Which of the following is the most appropriate response by the physician to his colleague?

• A)No, she is not my patient.
• B)She is my patient, but unfortunately I am unable to discuss her treatment due to patient confidentiality.
• C)Sorry, I cannot say whether or not she is my patient.
• D)Yes, and it would be helpful to hear any feedback she may give you about my care.
• E)Yes, she is doing much better, but I trust you will keep that information confidential.
• F)Yes, she's doing better medically; do you know how she is doing emotionally?

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Definitions:

Concrete Operations

A stage in Piaget's theory of cognitive development in which children from about 7 to 12 years old develop logical thinking but still struggle with abstract concepts.

Zone Of Proximal Development

A concept in education and cognitive psychology referring to the difference between what a learner can do without help and what they can achieve with guidance and encouragement.

Vygotsky

A Russian psychologist who proposed the sociocultural theory of cognitive development, emphasizing the role of social interaction in learning.

Formal Operations

In Piaget's theory, the cognitive development stage (starting around age 12) where an individual gains the ability to think abstractly, reason logically, and form hypotheses.