Legal, Ethical and Organizational Aspects (Professional Behaviours) — 45yo Patient | Medical-Legal | MCCQE1 Q#13579

MCCQE1 Question #13579

Dimension of Care

Health Promotion & Illness Prevention

Activity

Professional Behaviours

Objective

Legal, Ethical and Organizational Aspects

Section

Public Health / Ethics / Legal / Organizational (PHELO/PMCH)

Subject

Medical-Legal

Last updated: February 2026
A 45-year-old patient is undergoing an elective colonoscopy with procedural sedation in an outpatient endoscopy unit. Midway through the procedure, the patient becomes more alert, repeatedly says “Stop,” and pulls the endoscopist’s hand away. There is no evidence of perforation or major bleeding, and the patient appears stable. The endoscopist believes the scope is close to reaching the cecum. In general Canadian medico-legal practice, in what circumstance may a physician continue a medical procedure after a capable patient has clearly withdrawn consent during the procedure?
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