Test Bank for Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 21e | Joseph Loscalzo, Anthony Fauci, Dennis
Kasper, Stephen Hauser, Dan Longo, J. Larry Jameson | A+ GRADED | 2026 update | Vol 1 | Chapters 1-
200 fully covered| Core Medical Concepts,
, Part 1: The Profession of Medicine
Chapter 1: The Practice of Medicine
1. What is the primary focus of patient-centered care in contemporary medicine?
A. The physician’s expertise
B. The patient’s preferences and values
C. Advanced diagnostic technologies
D. Insurance coverage
Answer: B. The patient’s preferences and values
Rationale: Patient-centered care emphasizes understanding and respecting the patient’s individual
preferences, values, and needs, and involves them in all aspects of their treatment plan.
2. Which of the following principles is essential in practicing evidence-based
medicine?
A. Reliance on clinical experience alone
B. Prioritizing patient wishes over scientific evidence
C. Using the best available research evidence
D. Avoiding consideration of healthcare costs
Answer: C. Using the best available research evidence
Rationale: Evidence-based medicine integrates clinical expertise with the best available
research evidence and patient values to guide clinical decision-making.
3. A 60-year-old woman presents with chronic back pain. After reviewing her imaging
results, the clinician suggests a patient-centered care approach. What does patient-
centered care prioritize?
A. Clinician’s diagnosis
B. Medical costs
C. Patient’s preferences and involvement in decision-making
D. Strict adherence to clinical guidelines
Answer: C. Patient’s preferences and involvement in decision-making
Rationale: Patient-centered care emphasizes the importance of understanding the patient’s
individual preferences and involving them in the decision-making process.
4. Which of the following is NOT a core principle of patient-centered care
A. Respect for the patient’s values
B. Making decisions without consulting the patient
C. Providing clear communication
D. Emotional support
Answer: B. Making decisions without consulting the patient
Rationale: A core principle of patient-centered care is to involve the patient in decision-making
and respect their values and preferences.
5. A physician is considering two different treatment plans for a patient with heart
failure. Both treatments have similar efficacy, but one is more expensive. How should the
physician decide?
A. Choose the most expensive treatment
B. Choose based on the physician’s preference
, C. Avoid discussing the costs with the patient
D. Include the patient in the decision and discuss the costs
Answer: D. Include the patient in the decision and discuss the costs
Rationale: Patient-centered care involves discussing the treatment options, including the
financial aspects, and allowing the patient to participate in the decision.
6. Which of the following best defines evidence-based medicine?
A. Treating all patients the same way
Using the best available evidence, clinical expertise, and patient preferences
B. Relying on clinical trials exclusively
C. Ignoring patient preferences
Answer: B. Using the best available evidence, clinical expertise, and patient preferences
Rationale: Evidence-based medicine combines clinical expertise, the best available research, and
consideration of patient values.
7. A 40-year-old patient is hesitant to take the recommended treatment for diabetes
due to fear of side effects. What is the best approach to promote shared decision-
making?
A. Ignore the patient's concerns
B. Provide the patient with clear information about risks and benefits
C. Prescribe the medication without further discussion
D. Reassure the patient without any explanation
Answer: B. Provide the patient with clear information about risks and benefits
Rationale: Shared decision-making involves informing the patient about risks, benefits, and
alternatives, ensuring they have the information to make an informed choice.
8. Which of the following is an advantage of using clinical decision support systems
(CDSS) in medicine?
A. Reduces diagnostic errors
B. Replaces clinician judgment
C. Removes the need for patient history
D. Avoids communication with the patient
Answer: A. Reduces diagnostic errors
Rationale: CDSS can improve accuracy in diagnosis and treatment recommendations by
providing evidence-based clinical guidelines.
9. A physician suspects a patient has pneumonia but is unsure of the best antibiotic
regimen. How can evidence-based medicine assist in this scenario?
A. Ignoring the patient’s medical history
B. Consulting clinical guidelines based on the latest research
C. Making a decision based only on personal experience
D. Relying solely on patient demand
Answer: B. Consulting clinical guidelines based on the latest research
Rationale: Evidence-based medicine encourages the use of the best available research to
guide treatment decisions.
, 10. A 55-year-old man with a high risk of heart disease is counseled about lifestyle
changes. Which of the following is most likely to reduce his risk?
A. Regular exercise and a healthy diet
B. Smoking more often
C. Increasing alcohol consumption
D. Avoiding fruit and vegetables
Answer: A. Regular exercise and a healthy diet
Rationale: Regular physical activity and a balanced diet are critical lifestyle changes that can reduce
the risk of heart disease.
11. Which of the following is a key component of patient-centered care?
A. Shared decision-making
B. Ignoring patient preferences
C. Making all decisions based on clinical guidelines
D. Avoiding patient involvement
Answer: A. Shared decision-making
Rationale: Shared decision-making is essential in patient-centered care, involving patients in
their treatment choices.
12. A physician makes a decision based solely on the latest clinical guideline without
considering the patient's situation. What principle of patient-centered care has been
violated?
A. Respect for clinical authority
B. Adherence to evidence-based practice
C. Respect for patient individuality and preferences
D. Use of diagnostic tools
Answer: C. Respect for patient individuality and preferences
Rationale: Patient-centered care requires considering each patient's individual needs,
preferences, and values.
13. A 67-year-old male with advanced lung cancer is offered participation in a clinical
trial for an experimental therapy. What ethical consideration should guide the
physician's discussion with the patient?
A. Financial cost
B. The physician's preference
C. Informed consent and patient autonomy
D. The standard treatment only
Answer: C. Informed consent and patient autonomy
Rationale: The patient must fully understand the risks and benefits of the trial and make an
autonomous decision based on informed consent.
Kasper, Stephen Hauser, Dan Longo, J. Larry Jameson | A+ GRADED | 2026 update | Vol 1 | Chapters 1-
200 fully covered| Core Medical Concepts,
, Part 1: The Profession of Medicine
Chapter 1: The Practice of Medicine
1. What is the primary focus of patient-centered care in contemporary medicine?
A. The physician’s expertise
B. The patient’s preferences and values
C. Advanced diagnostic technologies
D. Insurance coverage
Answer: B. The patient’s preferences and values
Rationale: Patient-centered care emphasizes understanding and respecting the patient’s individual
preferences, values, and needs, and involves them in all aspects of their treatment plan.
2. Which of the following principles is essential in practicing evidence-based
medicine?
A. Reliance on clinical experience alone
B. Prioritizing patient wishes over scientific evidence
C. Using the best available research evidence
D. Avoiding consideration of healthcare costs
Answer: C. Using the best available research evidence
Rationale: Evidence-based medicine integrates clinical expertise with the best available
research evidence and patient values to guide clinical decision-making.
3. A 60-year-old woman presents with chronic back pain. After reviewing her imaging
results, the clinician suggests a patient-centered care approach. What does patient-
centered care prioritize?
A. Clinician’s diagnosis
B. Medical costs
C. Patient’s preferences and involvement in decision-making
D. Strict adherence to clinical guidelines
Answer: C. Patient’s preferences and involvement in decision-making
Rationale: Patient-centered care emphasizes the importance of understanding the patient’s
individual preferences and involving them in the decision-making process.
4. Which of the following is NOT a core principle of patient-centered care
A. Respect for the patient’s values
B. Making decisions without consulting the patient
C. Providing clear communication
D. Emotional support
Answer: B. Making decisions without consulting the patient
Rationale: A core principle of patient-centered care is to involve the patient in decision-making
and respect their values and preferences.
5. A physician is considering two different treatment plans for a patient with heart
failure. Both treatments have similar efficacy, but one is more expensive. How should the
physician decide?
A. Choose the most expensive treatment
B. Choose based on the physician’s preference
, C. Avoid discussing the costs with the patient
D. Include the patient in the decision and discuss the costs
Answer: D. Include the patient in the decision and discuss the costs
Rationale: Patient-centered care involves discussing the treatment options, including the
financial aspects, and allowing the patient to participate in the decision.
6. Which of the following best defines evidence-based medicine?
A. Treating all patients the same way
Using the best available evidence, clinical expertise, and patient preferences
B. Relying on clinical trials exclusively
C. Ignoring patient preferences
Answer: B. Using the best available evidence, clinical expertise, and patient preferences
Rationale: Evidence-based medicine combines clinical expertise, the best available research, and
consideration of patient values.
7. A 40-year-old patient is hesitant to take the recommended treatment for diabetes
due to fear of side effects. What is the best approach to promote shared decision-
making?
A. Ignore the patient's concerns
B. Provide the patient with clear information about risks and benefits
C. Prescribe the medication without further discussion
D. Reassure the patient without any explanation
Answer: B. Provide the patient with clear information about risks and benefits
Rationale: Shared decision-making involves informing the patient about risks, benefits, and
alternatives, ensuring they have the information to make an informed choice.
8. Which of the following is an advantage of using clinical decision support systems
(CDSS) in medicine?
A. Reduces diagnostic errors
B. Replaces clinician judgment
C. Removes the need for patient history
D. Avoids communication with the patient
Answer: A. Reduces diagnostic errors
Rationale: CDSS can improve accuracy in diagnosis and treatment recommendations by
providing evidence-based clinical guidelines.
9. A physician suspects a patient has pneumonia but is unsure of the best antibiotic
regimen. How can evidence-based medicine assist in this scenario?
A. Ignoring the patient’s medical history
B. Consulting clinical guidelines based on the latest research
C. Making a decision based only on personal experience
D. Relying solely on patient demand
Answer: B. Consulting clinical guidelines based on the latest research
Rationale: Evidence-based medicine encourages the use of the best available research to
guide treatment decisions.
, 10. A 55-year-old man with a high risk of heart disease is counseled about lifestyle
changes. Which of the following is most likely to reduce his risk?
A. Regular exercise and a healthy diet
B. Smoking more often
C. Increasing alcohol consumption
D. Avoiding fruit and vegetables
Answer: A. Regular exercise and a healthy diet
Rationale: Regular physical activity and a balanced diet are critical lifestyle changes that can reduce
the risk of heart disease.
11. Which of the following is a key component of patient-centered care?
A. Shared decision-making
B. Ignoring patient preferences
C. Making all decisions based on clinical guidelines
D. Avoiding patient involvement
Answer: A. Shared decision-making
Rationale: Shared decision-making is essential in patient-centered care, involving patients in
their treatment choices.
12. A physician makes a decision based solely on the latest clinical guideline without
considering the patient's situation. What principle of patient-centered care has been
violated?
A. Respect for clinical authority
B. Adherence to evidence-based practice
C. Respect for patient individuality and preferences
D. Use of diagnostic tools
Answer: C. Respect for patient individuality and preferences
Rationale: Patient-centered care requires considering each patient's individual needs,
preferences, and values.
13. A 67-year-old male with advanced lung cancer is offered participation in a clinical
trial for an experimental therapy. What ethical consideration should guide the
physician's discussion with the patient?
A. Financial cost
B. The physician's preference
C. Informed consent and patient autonomy
D. The standard treatment only
Answer: C. Informed consent and patient autonomy
Rationale: The patient must fully understand the risks and benefits of the trial and make an
autonomous decision based on informed consent.
