CS Question on Patient Note

[Thaitanium]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Hey guys,

I was wondering if it is possible to write that you did a P/E maneuver in the patient note when you did not perform it in the patient room? Will points be taken off for this, since it is, in reality, unethical/dishonest? Do the people, who are grading you, check both the checklist that the standardized patient has and your note simultaneously?

I know I shouldn't ask anyone on a forum for help on such an important test, but I don't know who I can ask...maybe call up the NBME?

Thanks for any advice in advance.

 

[MSI-Scrub]

Hey guys,

I was wondering if it is possible to write that you did a P/E maneuver in the patient note when you did not perform it in the patient room? Will points be taken off for this, since it is, in reality, unethical/dishonest? Do the people, who are grading you, check both the checklist that the standardized patient has and your note simultaneously?

I know I shouldn't ask anyone on a forum for help on such an important test, but I don't know who I can ask...maybe call up the NBME?

Thanks for any advice in advance.

What finding would you put down for a certain maneuver? If you didn't perform it, you'd have to make the finding up. In my mind that's unethical.

 

[Salt Creep]

It would be (unethical) on a real patient, but the whole thing is fake. I argue that the exam is more of a test of your ability to follow a script (and speak English) than to be a clinician.

On a real patient, if you happen to forget to ask something or check something on exam, you can go back and do it.

I realized afterward that I forgot to ask about a health maintenance item, and seriously considered just writing that the patient hadn't had it done recently.

Yes, you could write something that you didn't do. I don't know if they compare what the SP checks off to what you write (very seriously doubt it though), but the biggest problem (as far as the test is concerned) would be that you could easily be wrong, documenting something that simply wasn't there.

 

[mikedc813]

It's unethical and is something you wouldn't do in real practice. I know the exam is a big waste of time and is fake, but I would just write down what you did and leave out what you didn't. I'm convinced that you will pass if you could clearly speak with the patient and express empathy. The write up probably is not as important. Remember this test is to show your communication skills and not test your clinical knowledge. That's why there's the CK exam!

 

[Salt Creep]

1st Aid for CS says, "If you did not perform a maneuver that you think was necessary, it is better not to lie and pretend that you did. Be honest and list only the items you examined. For example, do not claim that you saw diabetic retinopathy in a patient with diabetes mellitus if you did not even get to see the eye fundus."