In providing treatment to a family member, which practice is mandated?

• A. They must perform a physical examination and keep a proper med record like any other patient.
• B. They must obtain consent from the patient’s next of kin before any care.
• C. They must always bill at a reduced rate for relatives.
• D. They must disclose the relationship in the medical record only if asked.

Answer: (D)

When you’re treating a family member, professional boundaries and patient privacy matter most. The mandated practice is to be transparent about the relationship only if someone asks for that information, and to document the relationship in the medical record at that time. This approach protects the patient’s confidentiality and avoids unnecessary disclosure, while still providing accurate context for accountability or if a decision maker requests it.

In practice, you would provide care to the family member like you would any patient, including performing the exam and keeping a proper medical record. Consent is generally given by the patient themselves, not by a relative, and billing at a reduced rate is not mandated. Disclosing the relationship only when asked keeps privacy intact yet available when necessary.