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Duty of candour after insulin prescribing error — SCE Acute Medicine MCQ

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ModeratePatient Safety and Risk ManagementDuty of candour after insulin prescribing errorSCE Acute Medicine

A patient receives ten times the intended insulin dose due to a prescribing error and requires intravenous dextrose overnight. He recovers fully. The consultant asks what should be disclosed to the patient. What is the most appropriate action?

Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.

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Correct answer: B — Give a prompt factual apology, explain what happened and outline prevention steps

The professional duty of candour requires prompt, honest disclosure of significant safety incidents, including apology and explanation of actions to reduce recurrence. An apology is not an admission of liability. Full recovery does not remove the duty to be open when harm occurred or could have been serious. Documentation and local incident reporting should accompany the conversation.

Reference: GMC candour guidance, NHS England patient safety incident response framework