The real test allows about 23 seconds a question in Situational Judgement. Work through these untimed first, then try again against the clock. If the question types are new to you, read the guide to Situational Judgement first.
How appropriate is the response?
Daniel is a medical student observing on a hospital ward. A patient, Mrs Ortega, asks him whether the results of her scan have come back and what they show. Daniel saw the report on a computer earlier, and it suggests a serious finding. The doctor in charge of her care is with another patient.
How appropriate are each of the following responses by Daniel?
Question 1. Tell Mrs Ortega what the report says, so that she does not have to wait.
- A very appropriate thing to do
- Appropriate, but not ideal
- Inappropriate, but not awful
- A very inappropriate thing to do
Show the answer and explanation
Answer: A very inappropriate thing to do
A very inappropriate thing to do. Explaining results is beyond a student's role. Daniel cannot interpret the report reliably or answer the questions that would follow, and Mrs Ortega would receive serious news without the doctor who can explain it.
Question 2. Explain that he is a student and cannot discuss results, and say that he will let the doctor know she is asking.
- A very appropriate thing to do
- Appropriate, but not ideal
- Inappropriate, but not awful
- A very inappropriate thing to do
Show the answer and explanation
Answer: A very appropriate thing to do
A very appropriate thing to do. It is honest, stays within his role and makes sure her concern reaches the person who can deal with it.
Question 3. Tell Mrs Ortega that the results are not back yet.
- A very appropriate thing to do
- Appropriate, but not ideal
- Inappropriate, but not awful
- A very inappropriate thing to do
Show the answer and explanation
Answer: A very inappropriate thing to do
A very inappropriate thing to do. It is untrue. Avoiding an awkward moment does not justify lying to a patient, and it would damage her trust when she learns otherwise.
Question 4. Once the doctor is free, tell them that Mrs Ortega is anxious to hear her results.
- A very appropriate thing to do
- Appropriate, but not ideal
- Inappropriate, but not awful
- A very inappropriate thing to do
Show the answer and explanation
Answer: A very appropriate thing to do
A very appropriate thing to do. It passes the concern to the right person. It does not matter that this alone would leave Mrs Ortega waiting: each response is judged on its own.
How important is the consideration?
Hannah is a dental student with a clinical skills assessment tomorrow. Her friend Louis sat the same assessment this morning and offers to tell her which procedures were tested.
How important to take into account are the following considerations for Hannah when deciding how to respond to the offer?
Question 5. The assessment exists to show whether Hannah can carry out the procedures safely.
- Very important
- Important
- Of minor importance
- Not important at all
Show the answer and explanation
Answer: Very important
Very important. This is the purpose the offer would undermine. Passing with advance knowledge would say nothing about whether she is safe to treat patients.
Question 6. Accepting would break the dental school's rules on assessment.
- Very important
- Important
- Of minor importance
- Not important at all
Show the answer and explanation
Answer: Very important
Very important. It is a matter of honesty, with consequences for both students.
Question 7. Louis might be offended if she turns him down.
- Very important
- Important
- Of minor importance
- Not important at all
Show the answer and explanation
Answer: Of minor importance
Of minor importance. A friend's feelings are worth a kind refusal, but they should not influence whether she accepts.
How appropriate is the response?
Ravi is a medical student on placement at a general practice. On the train home he finds in his bag a printed list of the day's patients, with their names and reasons for attending, which he picked up by accident with his notes.
How appropriate are each of the following responses by Ravi?
Question 8. Put the list in a recycling bin at the station.
- A very appropriate thing to do
- Appropriate, but not ideal
- Inappropriate, but not awful
- A very inappropriate thing to do
Show the answer and explanation
Answer: A very inappropriate thing to do
A very inappropriate thing to do. Anyone could take it out again. Confidential information would be left in a public place.
Question 9. Keep the list secure, tell the practice manager what happened first thing the next morning, and hand it back.
- A very appropriate thing to do
- Appropriate, but not ideal
- Inappropriate, but not awful
- A very inappropriate thing to do
Show the answer and explanation
Answer: A very appropriate thing to do
A very appropriate thing to do. The information stays protected, Ravi is open about the mistake and the practice can deal with it properly.
Question 10. Shred the list at home and say nothing about it.
- A very appropriate thing to do
- Appropriate, but not ideal
- Inappropriate, but not awful
- A very inappropriate thing to do
Show the answer and explanation
Answer: Inappropriate, but not awful
Inappropriate, but not awful. Shredding protects the patients, which is why this is not the worst option. But the practice has rules for mistakes with patient information, and saying nothing hides one from the people responsible.
Where to go next
- How to approach Situational Judgement: the question kinds, a method for each and where marks are lost
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