Canadian Health Information Management Association Practice Exam

Dr. Chopmeup improperly performed a knee replacement surgery, which caused the patient to develop an infection that led to the amputation of the leg. The best term to describe the action is:

1. malfeasance.

2. malpractice.

3. misfeasance.

4. mispractice.

The correct answer is: malfeasance.

The best term to describe the action in this scenario is malfeasance. Malfeasance refers to the performance of an unlawful or wrongful act, particularly one that is done in an official capacity. In this case, Dr. Chopmeup's improper execution of a knee replacement surgery constitutes a wrongful act that directly led to significant harm to the patient, ultimately resulting in an amputation. Malpractice, while closely related, typically refers to negligence or incompetence by a professional that causes harm to a patient. In this context, the term malfeasance is more appropriate because it highlights the intentional wrongdoing or unlawful nature of the procedure performed, rather than simply a failure to meet the standard of care expected from a medical professional. The term misfeasance describes a situation where a lawful act is performed in an improper manner, which doesn’t fully capture the severity of the described actions. Lastly, mispractice isn’t a standard legal term associated with medical errors and does not apply here. Therefore, malfeasance accurately reflects the gravity of Dr. Chopmeup's actions leading to the patient's dire outcome.