Which statement best defines defensive medicine as described in the material?

Which statement best defines defensive medicine as described in the material?

• A. Prescribing diagnostic laboratory or imaging tests to protect against malpractice
• B. Reducing the number of tests to minimize costs
• C. Following evidence-based guidelines for all patients
• D. Using only in-house tests available at the facility

Answer: (A)

Defensive medicine centers on physicians ordering extra diagnostic tests or imaging mainly to shield themselves from malpractice liability, rather than because the tests are medically necessary. The statement that fits this idea is one that describes prescribing diagnostic laboratory or imaging tests to protect against malpractice. This reflects the motivation to create a more defensible medical record and reduce legal risk. The other ideas don’t match defensive medicine because they describe different goals: reducing tests to cut costs is about conserving resources, following evidence-based guidelines focuses on quality and standard care, and using only in-house tests is a logistical or logistical-control issue, not a liability-driven practice.

Defensive medicine centers on physicians ordering extra diagnostic tests or imaging mainly to shield themselves from malpractice liability, rather than because the tests are medically necessary. The statement that fits this idea is one that describes prescribing diagnostic laboratory or imaging tests to protect against malpractice. This reflects the motivation to create a more defensible medical record and reduce legal risk.

The other ideas don’t match defensive medicine because they describe different goals: reducing tests to cut costs is about conserving resources, following evidence-based guidelines focuses on quality and standard care, and using only in-house tests is a logistical or logistical-control issue, not a liability-driven practice.