Which action aligns with standard practice when a doctor treats a friend?

• A. They must perform a physical examination and keep a proper med record like any other patient.
• B. They should avoid any documentation entirely.
• C. They should delay the exam until the relative consents to a formal process.
• D. They should perform only a screening exam with no record.

Answer: (A)

Providing care to a friend should still meet the standard of care: perform a full physical exam and document it like you would for any other patient. This ensures the friend receives careful evaluation and appropriate treatment, and it creates a complete medical record to guide future care and protect both patient safety and the clinician from liability. Documentation builds accountability and continuity of care, which is essential even in relationships outside the professional setting. Skipping documentation, delaying the exam, or only doing a screening without a record would leave care incomplete and open to safety and legal concerns; they do not align with usual professional standards.