422 Obstetrics and Gynecology Board Review •••
❍ Can pre/postfertilization techniques for sex selection be used when requested by patient for the purpose of
family balancing or for religious reasons?
No. The ACOG Committee of Ethics supports the practice of offering patients procedures for the purpose of
preventing serious sex-linked genetic diseases. However, the Committee opposes meeting requests for sex selection
for personal and family reasons (ie, family balancing and cultural or religious beliefs).
❍ Should a physician withhold telling a patient the sex of a fetus when a test is being performed for another
indication that will subsequently reveal the sex in an effort to avoid unwitting participation in sex selection?
No. When a medical procedure is done for a purpose other than obtaining information about the sex of a fetus but will
reveal the fetus’s sex, this information should not be withheld for any reason from the pregnant woman who requests it.
❍ Are physicians obligated to perform a reduction procedure in a multifetal pregnancy if a pregnant patient
requests it?
No. Physicians are not mandated to perform fetal reductions if they believe that such a procedure is morally
unacceptable; however, they should still be knowledgeable about the procedure and be prepared to react in a
professional and ethical manner when patients request information/services.
❍ Can embryos abandoned by the donors of the gametes or somatic cells used in its creation be used for research?
No. Donors of gametes or somatic cells used in the creation of an embryo must give consent in order for an unused
embryo to be used for research. Further, donation of embryos for stem cell research requires specific consent.
❍ Can a physician have a sexual or romantic relationship with a current patient if the relationship is
consensual by both parties?
No! Mere mutual consent is rejected as a justification for sexual relations with patients because the disparity in
power, status, vulnerability, and need makes it difficult for a patient to give meaningful consent to sexual contact or
sexual relations.
❍ Can a physician have a sexual or romantic relationship with a former patient if the relationship is
consensual by both parties?
Sexual contact or a romantic relationship with a former patient may be unethical under certain circumstances.
However, the issue still remains that there may be the potential for misuse of physician power or exploitation of
patient emotions derived from the former relationship.
❍ True or False: The terms “rape” and “sexual assault” should be used in a medical record when doing an
evaluation of a potential victim.
False. “Rape” and “sexual assault” are legal terms, and should be avoided when documenting in medical records.
Instead, the physical findings of the evaluation should be described as “being consistent” with the reported assault.
❍ What efforts can be made on the part of a sexual assault victim to aid in better collection of evidence?
The victim should avoid bathing, changing her clothes, douching, urinating, defecating, washing out her mouth,
cleaning her fingernails, smoking, eating, or drinking.
❍ What are the most common STDs reported in sexual assault victims?
Trichomoniasis, gonorrhea, and Chlamydia trachomatis.
These are also the most common STDs overall in the general public.