Subject: LEGAL MEDICINE Exam Questions

Instructions: Choose the BEST answer

1. The body vested by law to have general supervision and regulation over the practice of
medicine is:
A. Commission on Higher Education
B. Department of Education
C. Professional Regulatory Commission
D. Board of Medical Education

2. Pedro Doctor graduated from the Pulangue College of Medicine and immediately used
the title MD after his name. He is:
A. Committing malpractice
B. Academically entitled to use MD
C. Illegally practicing medicine
D. Falsely using MD after his name


3. Any person who performs any of the acts constituting practice of medicine but is not
qualified to do so shall be:
A. Committing malpractice
B. Committing fraud
C. Illegally practicing medicine
D. Acting under extraordinary authority

4. Josefas daughter was suffering from diarrhea. She consulted Petra who told her to
give Pedilayte - Mild 30, a household remedy as classified by BFAD. Which describe
appropriately Petras action? :
A. Not considered an act constituting practice of medicine
B. Illegal practice of medicine
C. Malpractice acts
D. Acting under false pretenses

5. This prevents an individual from being admitted to the practice of medicine:
A. Age 19 years
B. Passed the board examination
C. Holder of a valid Certificate of Registration issued by the Board of
Medical Education
D. Must not have been convicted of any offense involving moral turpitude

6. This act does not constitute practice of medicine:
A. Physical examination of the patient
B. Collection of professional fees
C. Diagnosis and treatment
D. Prescribing drugs

7. A patient with hepatoma was erroneously diagnosed as tuberculoma by a licensed
physician. This was the result of the non-performance of the necessary work-ups. The
physician is guilty of:
A. Illegal practice of medicine
B. Dereliction of duty
C. Criminal negligence
D. Malpractice

8. Jose is the son of a physician. Upon graduation and before passing the board exams,
he put his name under a sign bearing his fathers name and started seeing patients. A
patient was mismanaged and suffered injury. Jose was sued. What is the fault
committed?
A. Illegal practice of medicine against Jose
B. Malpractice vs. Jose
C. Malpractice vs. Joses father
D. No liability

9. Ernie Barko advised Petra, a patient with breast CA to strictly follow his special cancer
diet. He advised against taking medications as the chemicals therein conflicted with the
principle of the diet. Petra died and Ernie was sued. Which of the following is correct:
A. Ernie illegally practiced medicine
B. Ernie should be held liable for the non-intake of medications by Petra
C. Ernie is not liable since the proximate cause of Petras death is cancer
D. Malpractice on the part of Ernie

10. Beautician Lucy pricks pimples and dishes out topical lotions to clients. Dr. Balat is
losing out to Lucy so she accuses the latter of illegal practice of medicine. Which of the
following is correct?
A. Tigidig is performing a purely cosmetic function
B. Tigidig is illegally practicing medicine
C. Administrative charges should be filed with the PRC against Tigidig
D. Tigidigs parlor should be padlocked by the police authorities


11. Precy Lore is a faith healer who beats up the sick to exorcise the evil spirits causing
the disease. One follower who was injured sued her. Which of the following statement is
correct:
A. Freedom to act out ones belief is a constitutionally protected right
B. Precy is guilty of inflicting physical injuries
C. Precy is practicing the tenets of her religion
D. Precy illegally practiced medicine


12. Dr. Pedro is scheduled to preside over a CPC in the Medical School. He is late, so
that on his own volition, countered the traffic flow in the opposite lane to reach his
destination. He was caught by a traffic officer. Which can he invoke?
A. Doctors right of way in heavy traffic
B. Right of way in response to an emergency
C. None
D. Right to violate minor traffic rules


13. A person need not be a physician to hold this position:
A. Municipal Health Officer
B. City Health Officer
C. Department of Health Secretary
D. Medical Staff in a private hospital

14. Jose, an 18 year-old married male, was diagnosed with ruptured acute appendicitis.
Who should give the consent for surgery?
A. Jose
B. Consent by the wife is necessary
C. Joses parent
D. Grandparents in the absence of the parents


15. Dr. Kildare, an American surgeon is in the Philippines on holiday. He joined a group
of Filipino surgeons in a medical mission performing operations for the poor and the
marginalized. Which of the following is correct?
A. He can invoke reciprocity as the basis for his performing surgery in the
Philippines.
B. He can practice even without a certificate of registration from the Board
of Medicine.
C. He is illegally practicing medicine in the country.
D. He needs to pass the local board exams before he can practice.


16. Dr. Rodrigo released records of patient Juana to Atty. Jose, Juanas lawyer after the
latter demanded the same in connection with a contemplated suit. Which right of the
patient may have been violated?
A. Privacy
B. Confidentiality
C. Right to peace of mind
D. No rights were violated since it involves litigation


17. You evaluated a 65-year old man with 3-month history of chest pains and fainting
spells that you feel merit cardiac catheterization. After informing him fully of the
benefits, consequences, risks, etc. and he was able to demonstrate that he understands all
of these, he refuses the intervention. What should you do?
A. Respect his choice
B. Explore reasons for his decision and try to convince him again
C. Consider the discussion ended
D. Continue with the procedure nevertheless


18. A 60-year old patient has complaints of abdominal that is persistent but not extreme.
Workup shows hepatoma. He just retired from a busy professional career and he and his
wife are about to leave for a round the world cruise. What should you do?
A. Exercise your therapeutic privilege and inform him later when he returns
B. Inform him of his condition now
C. Inform him when his condition worsens
D. Inform his wife first


19. While driving in EDSA, Dr. Gerardo witnessed the shooting of a politician by a group
of armed assailants. He was subpoenaed to appear in court because of his as heavy
practice. He relented nevertheless and appeared as a:
A. Ordinary witness
B. Expert witness
C. Hostile witness
D. Reluctant witness

20. A 70-year old man suffered a myocardial infarction and is admitted to the hospital
with a very poor prognosis. He asks you not to tell his wife as he feels she will not be
able to take it. What should you do?
A. Tell the wife since the exercise of therapeutic privilege applies to the patient
only
B. Encourage the patient to open dialogue with his wife
C. Keep quiet
D. Ask the nurse to inform the wife



21. Dr. Jane is connected with one of the RHUs of Abra. One of her task is to implement
the family planning program of the government. She is a devout Catholic and espouses
only the rhythm method. Which of the following is correct?
A. She has the prerogative to choose treatment modalities to apply to patients.
B. She can invoke self-limitation to practice based on religious beliefs.
C. She must ask to be transferred to duties consistent with her beliefs.
D. She is liable for insubordination for not carrying out the duties of her
position.

22. One of the following is not subject to legal execution if a physician loses a civil suit
for malpractice.
A. Golf shares
B. Stocks and money in bank
C. Real estate property
D. Medical library, equipment and instruments


23. This type of consent is not contemplated under Philippine law:
A. Oral
B. Written
C. Expressed Indirectly
D. Blanket


24. A 40 wk. AOG pregnant woman gave birth to a dead baby girl with double cord coil,
tight. The obstetrician failed to do a biological physical profile of the fetus. She is
guilty of:
A. Homicide
B. Infanticide
C. Medical malpractice
D. Criminal negligence


25. Jose gave consent to surgically remove one of his kidneys which he intends to sell to
a patient in Japan with chronic renal disease. Which one of the following requisites was
violated as to make the consent invalid?
A. Informed and enlightened
B. Obtained voluntarily
C. Subject matter must be legal
D. Enlightened

26. Baby Jane was bleeding massively due to marked thrombocytopenia secondary to
dengue. Blood transfusion was required but the parents refused on religious grounds.
What should the physician do?
A. Secure a court appointed guardian to get consent for treatment
B. Transfuse immediately as this is an emergency
C. Respect the parents refusal of the lifesaving treatment
D. Do nothing


27. Dr. Tan refused to attend on several occasions a court hearing citing as reason that he
has a lot of OPD patients to see. He may be cited for:
A. Direct contempt of court
B. Indirect contempt of court
C. Disrespect for the court
D. Unduly prioritizing his clinic practice


28. A resident physician followed the order of a consultant that at face value was grossly
wrong and resulted in injury to the patient. Which is correct?
A. The resident clerk is not liable since he is merely a trainee under the
supervision of the consultant
B. Both the consultant and resident are liable for poor patient care
C. The consultant is not liable since the discretion lies with the resident to either
follow or not follow his advice
D. The resident is liable since he is the one who exercised the clinical judgment
that injured the patient


29. Jose, who is not a physician, affixed MD after his name to enable him to secure a loan
with the bank. Under the Medical Act of he is guilty of:
A. Committing malpractice
B. Committing fraud
C. Illegally practicing medicine
D. Considered not to be practicing medicine


30. Dr. Jose is practicing in Manila. A subpoena was issued by the court for him to
appear in a drug case in Tuguegarao. He failed to appear. Which of the following is
correct?
A. He need not comply with the subpoena.
B. He will be arrested to compel his appearance.
C. He will be cited for direct contempt.
D. He should be given compensation to enable him to appear.


31. Jose was stabbed and brought to Dr. Juan for management. Dr. Juan refused to treat
Jose since he was a dermatologist. Which one of the following is applicable?
A. Dr. Juan can invoke his right to choose his patients.
B. Dr. Juan must manage the stabbing victim.
C. It is illegal to refuse rendering medical service.
D. Dr. Juan is liable for damages.


32. A 27-year old woman who has previously received no prenatal care presents at term.
On ultrasound she has a placenta previa, but she refuses cesarean section for any reason.
What should the physician do?
A. Operate since this is an emergency
B. Respect the patients wishes
C. Refer the matter to the ethics committee as this involves the life of the mother
and the fetus
D. The physician should get a court order to force a cesarean section


33. In a malpractice case, Dr. Procopio was ordered by the court to produce at trial the
patients charts, laboratory and x-ray results and other documents under his ppossession
and control. The process served on him to do this is called:
A. Ordinary subpoena
B. Subpena duces tecum
C. Subpoena ad testificandum
D. Court summons


34. Dr. Balat adopted a self-imposed limitation to practice dermatology only. She may
not do one of the following:
A. Practice only dermatology
B. Limit practice to specific days and time
C. Refuse to treat an emergency
D. Refuse to treat a common cold


35. Dr. Jose operated on a patient and inadvertently left behind a clamp. Which
malpractice doctrine is applicable in this case?
A. Doctrine of Forseeability
B. Fellow Servant
C. Res-Ipsa Loquitur
D. Captain of the ship

36. A personal disqualification that may cause the revocation of a physicians certificate
of registration is:
A. Unprofessional conduct
B. Issuing false medical certificates
C. Immoral or dishonorable conduct
D. Guilty of an offense involving moral turpitude

37. Josefa had herself aborted by a midwife. She subsequently went to Dr. Juana who did
a D&C to complete the abortion. Dr. Juana did not report the matter to the police
authorities. What is Dr. Juanas liability if any?
A. No liability
B. Liable as principal for doing the D&C
C. Only administratively liable
D. Liable as accessory for not reporting


38. Joses inability to pay Dr. Kildare his fees for services rendered may result in:
A. Automatic termination of the patient-MD relationship
B. Action for collection filed by the physician against the patient
C. Lessened physician liability for negligence
D. Abandonment



39. In a case of botched up surgery, Dr. Pedor, the chairman of surgery at Marconi
Medical Center was called in to testify on the procedure. He is giving testimony as:
A. Percipient witness
B. Expert witness
C. Hostile witness
D. Defense witness


40. One of the following is not a liability resulting from the wrongful act by a physician:
A. Criminal
B. Moral
C. Civil
D. Administrative


41. Dr. Pedro had surgical training in a government hospital but did not take the
Philippine College of Surgeons specialty examination. Dr. Juan completed his
surgical training at UCLA Medical Center and upon his return was certified as
Fellow of the Philippine College of Surgeons. Out of envy at the high patient traffic of
Pedro, Juan filed a complaint against Pedro with the PRC for false claims of the latter as
a surgeon. One of the following is correct:
A. Pedro must possess the degree of skill and knowledge possessed by a surgeon
since he claims to be one
B. Specialty society affiliation is the only basis for one to be a specialist
C. Specialty society certification is superior to the specialist certification under
the Department of Health System
D. Pedro is a only surgeon in practice


42. An administrative complaint was filed with the PRC against a physician who
was eventually found guilty. This may result in:
A. Reprimand, suspension or revocation of license to practice
B. Imprisonment for criminal negligence
C. Civil damages paid to the patient to compensate for injuries sustained
D. Need to be re-certified


43. Dr. P. Alikeros wife filed an administrative complaint before the PRC against
her husband who was living with a mistress for having abandoned her and her
three children. The doctors acts are grounds for revoking his registration
certificate and classifed as:
A. Personal disqualification
B. Unprofessional conduct
C. Unethical conduct
D. Criminal act


44. One of the following does not necessarily terminate the patient-physician relationship
and will render the physician liable:
A. Recovery
B. Discharge against advice
C. Discharge by the physician
D. Abandonment


45. A gynecologist performed a total abdominal hysterectomy on a patient with
myoma uteri. Before closing the abdomen, he discovered that the patient had
cancer of the cecum so he referred the patient to a general surgeon to perform the
resection. Three days post-op, the patient had to be reopened and a piece of
gauze was found. Who may be held liable under the Captain of the ship Doctrine?
A. The operating room nurse
B. The second surgeon
C. The gynecologist
D. he anesthesiologist


46. A physician must appear in response to a subpoena if his place of residence is how
many kilometers from the court issuing the subpoena?
A. 100 kilometers
B. 50 kilometers
C. less than 50 kilometers
D. must appear no matter what the distance


47. The receptionist in the hospital lobby receives a fee from Dr. No for referring cases to
the latter. This fee, which is unethical, is called:
A. Contigent fee
B. Dichotomous fee
C. Retainer fee
D. Referral fee

48. Dr. Jose refused to render service in an emergency case in an NPA controlled
territory. Which is correct?
A. His license will be revoked.
B. He will be civilly liable for the injuries sustained by the patient for his failure
to treat.
C. He can refuse service if there is risk on his life.
D. He violated his professional oath.


49. While being treated for gunshot injuries, Abu Sabayad confided to Dr. Sharon that he
was responsible for the kidnapping and beheading of twenty hostages. Sabyad was
captured and Dr. Sharon was called to testify. What should he do?
A. Refuse to testify to protect his life
B. He must not testify as the information is privileged
C. He must testify in the interest of justice, public safety and welfare as this
involves a criminal matter
D. Feign loss of memory about the incident


50. What is legal is not necessarily ethical. The contraceptive methods legally allowed in
the Philippines are the following except:
A. Use of physical barrier
B. Coitus interruptus
C. Elective Abortion under the pro-choice paradigm
D. Surgical sterilization


51. As a result of the deformity he sustained from a facelift operation, Juana sued Dr.
Hannibal for mental anguish, social humiliation and moral shock. The type of damages
she can recover as a result of these is:
A. Actual damages
B. Compensatory damages
C. Exemplary damages
D. Moral damages


52. Which one of the following points should be considered in determining
defloration:
A. Labias are in close contact with one another
B. Normal V shape configuration of the fourchette has been lost
C. Sharpness of the rugosities of the vaginal canal
D. Hymen is intact


53. The following are true of virginity:
A. Refers to females
B. Applicable to males and females
C. Genital organs altered by carnal knowledge
D. A woman of virtue


54. The presence of an intact hymen with distinct and regular edges and where the
opening barely admits tip of the smallest finger even if the thighs are separated is
seen in:
A. Virgo intacta
B. True physical virginity
C. Semi-virginity
D. False physical virginity


55. Carnal knowledge means:
A. Knowledge about the nature of sexual life
B. Rupture of the hymen
C. Slightest penetration of the female sexual organ by the male sexual organ
D. Full penetration is necessary


56. One of the following is not a complication of hymenal lacerations:
A. Secondary infection
B. Hemorrhage
C. Fistulae formation
D. Impotence


57. Josefa is 10 years old. She gave consent to have carnal knowledge with a male tourist
provided she is paid money. Which is true?
A. Josefa is a victim of statutory rape.
B. Josefa is a child prostitute and thus no rape occurred.
C. There is no rape since consent was given by Josefa.
D. Josefa must be 12 years old to be a victim of statutory rape


58. This type of injury need not be reported to police authorities under PD 169:
A. Serious physical injuries
B. Mutilation
C. Slight physical injuries
D. Less serious physical injuries


59. Petra scratched Juana in the face in an altercation. The doctor attended to the injury
that resolved in less than 10 days but a resultant keloid scar formation. The legal
classification of this injury is:
A. Mutilation
B. Slight injuries
C. Serious physical injuries
D. Less serious injury


60. Dr. Pedro, the MHO of Aurora Municipio shall perform an autopsy on a dead
body when:
A. Requested by any relative of the victim
B. Verbally directed by the police
C. Upon order of the mayor
D. Ordered by the Provincial Hospital Medical Director


61. Pedophilia is a form of sexual perversion where a man has a compulsive desire
to seek gratification by:
A. Gazing at himself in the mirror
B. Having sexual intercourse with a child of either sex
C. Sexual intercourse with a corpse
D. Engaging in sexual intercourse with an animal


62. Dr. Acula is examining blood found in the crime scene. What is the source
when blood is dark red in color and has a low oxygen content:
A. Child
B. Menstrual
C. Venous
D. Arterial

63. Bumper fracture of the leg bones in pedestrian-vehicle collision is a consequence of:
A. Secondary impact
B. Hit and run injuries
C. Primary impact
D. Run over injuries


64. A wound which is a result of a persons instinctive reaction of self protection is what
special type of wound:
A. Defense
B. Self-inflicted
C. Offense
D. Patterned


65. The condition where the body becomes soft and flaccid after the disappearance of
rigor mortis is called:
A. Stage of secondary flaccidity
B. Decomposition
C. Suggillation
D. Putrefaction


66. Which of the following type of abortion, whether performed by a health professional
or not, is criminal and punishable by law?
A. Intentional
B. Spontaneous
C. Consequence of a therapeutic act
D. Threatened


67. The court ordered Dr. Juan to produce the skull of the victim who was killed by a
blow on the head caused by a blunt weapon. The skull is what type of evidence?
A. Autoptic evidence
B. Testimonial evidence
C. Documentary evidence
D. Experimental evidence


68. If the person died of communicable disease, the body must be buried within this
period of time unless the local health authorities permits otherwise:
A. 24 hours
B. 18 hours
C. 12 hours
D. 6 hours

69. The race of a living person may be presumed in the features of the face. A
person with thick lips and prominent eyes is presumed a:
A. Mongolian
B. Caucasian
C. Malay
D. Negro


70. Jose was hit by a truck in the legs and was thrown 10 feet from impact and hit the
graveled part of the road. Dr. Jose noted abrasions, contusions, lacerations in other
parts of the body aside form the leg fractures. What type of injuries are those?
A. Hit and run injuries
B. Secondary impact injuries
C. Run over injuries
D. Primary injuries


71. Which of the following characteristics of a person is not easily changed:
A. Hair pattern
B. Places frequented
C. Speech, gait and mannerisms
D. Grade or profession


72. Part of the body that putrefies late:
A. Brain
B. Heart
C. Spleen
D. Liver


73. Blood that does not clot, acidic in pH, with the presence of epithelial cells and
Doderlain microorganisms is probably:
A. Blood from a hemophiliac
B. Menstrual blood
C. Blood from a person with metabolic acidosis
D. Septic blood


74. Which is true regarding exit wounds?
A. Always present
B. Bend to be smaller than the corresponding entrance wounds
C. Margins are usually everted, unbruised and unabraded
D. Presence powder tattooing


75. Postmortem lividity may indicate the cause of death based on the color of the stain
EXCEPT:
A. Bluish violet in asphyxia
B. Cherry red in CO poisoning
C. Chocolate in dichromate poisoning
D. Yellow in myocardial infarction


76. Republic Act 8353 has amended certain provisions of the old law on rape. These
change include the following EXCEPT:
A. Rape is a crime against persons
B. Degenderization of the crime of rape
C. Allows for the concept of marital rape
D. Rape is a crime against chastity


77. The body should be buried within 12 hours if this condition is present:
A. Body was not embalmed
B. Subject of legal investigation
C. Death due to dangerous communicable disease
D. Death due to violent crimes


78. One of the following is no longer true of rape under RA 8353:
A. Offender may be any person
B. Offended party must be female
C. Insertion of the penis into another persons mouth or anus
D. Insertion of any instrument or object into the genital and anal orifice of
another person


79. Josefa does not intend to hurt her child, Jose. When she is drunk, she
periodically batters Jose. She becomes remorseful afterwards and provides proper
care in between her drinking spree. What type of child abuser is Josefa?
A. Occasional child abuser
B. Constant child abuser
C. Intermittent child abuser
D. One time child abuser



80. This finding in death is not consistent and may or may not appear on a person who
died:
A. Rigor Mortis
B. Algor Mortis
C. Putrefaction
D. Cadaveric Spasm


81. Pedro calls people up on the phone in the early hours of the morning and starts using
obsecene and foul language to obtain sexual gratification. This sexual deviation is known
as:
A. Pedophila
B. Masochism
C. Coprolalia
D. Exhibitionism


82. The lead agency tasked to handle cases of child abuse is:
A. Department of Health
B. Department of Justice
C. Department of Social Welfare and Development
D. DILG


83. One of the following is not helpful in determining the sex of the skeleton:
A. Skull
B. Sternum
C. Cranial sutures
D. Pelvis


84. Dactylography is...
A. The study of the pores on the papillary or friction ridges of the skin for the
purpose of identification
B. Art of changing fingerprints
C. Art and study of recording fingerprints as a means of identification
D. Art of comparing fingerprints for identification


85. An idiot is exempted from criminal liability. An idiot has an IQ of:
A. 0 20
B. 40 70
C. 20 40
D. 70 80


86. This finding suggests suicide:
A. Indication of struggle
B. Presence of hesitation cuts or tentative incisions
C. Multiple wounds in different parts of the body
D. No history of depression


87. A false interpretation of external stimulus which may be manifested with the sense of
sight, hearing, taste touch and smell is:
A. Hallucination
B. Delusion
C. Illusion
D. Obsession


88. Disorientation, mental confusion, dizziness, sensory disturbances exaggerated
emotional state suggest that the blood alcohol level is:
A. 150-300mg%
B. 400 mg%
C. 100 mg%
D. 20 mg %


89. The medico-legal importance of postmortem lividity is:
A. Reliable sign of death
B. Determines exact time of death
C. Affects all portions of the body
D. Development of skin color suggest injury


90. If this is present, organs for transplantation may not be harvested:
A. No respiration
B. No blood pressure
C. Heartbeat and pulse absent
D. Reversible coma


91. Head injury which may be found in areas of the skull offering the least resistance is
known as:
A. Locus minoris resitencis
B. Countre cuop injuries
C. Remote inuires
D. Coup injuries

92. The chemical change of body fat which takes place in wet conditions and results
in a grayish, greasy or brittle compound is known as:
A. Mummification
B. Adipocere formation
C. Bacterial Putrefaction
D. Lytic changes


92. Indentations left in soft or pliable materials belong to what type of fingerprints:
A. Latent
B. Plastic
C. Visible
D. Imprinted


94. A DNA typing method where the small sample size is chemically amplified to
produce large amounts is known as the....
A. Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP) Method
B. Phenolphthalein Test
C. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) Method
D. Precipitate Ring Test Method


95. The absence of smoke soiling, burning or powder tattooing is suggestive of this type
of gunshot wound:
A. contact wound
B. close range wound
C. Long range wound
D. mid range wound


96. Injury causation in torture include the following:
A. sexual assaults C. electrical shock
B. ligatures D. all of the above


97. For a child to be legitimate, he must be born in lawful wedlock or within these
number of days after the dissolution of marriage:
A. 120 days
B. 180 days
C. 300 days
D. 360 days


98. Pedro is impotent yet her wife gave birth to a healthy baby while in lawful wedlock.
Which is true?
A. The childs legitimacy cannot be questioned
B. Proof of impotence will overthrow presumption of legitimacy
C. The child upon birth can be declared illegitimate
D. All of the above


99. Jose was distraught at being found guilty of the heinous crime of raping his daughter
and sentenced to death. He subsequently became insane. Which should rake place?
A. He should be executed.
B. His execution should be stayed until he recovers.
C. He should undergo another trial upon recovery of sanity
D. He should be pardoned.


100. The medico legal classification of death due to injuries inflicted upon the body by
some form of outside force which is the proximate cause thereof is:
A. Natural
B. Violent
C. Sickness caused
D. Instantaneous


101. Tardieu spots are associated with:
A. Hanging C. ligature strangulation
B. Manual strangulation D. choking