Doc 1- Practice Questions for Situational Judgement | Situational Judgement for UCAT PDF Download

Situational Judgement Practice Questions

The situational judgement test (SJT) measures your capacity to understand real world situations and to identify critical factors and appropriate behaviour in dealing with them. Questions do not require medical or procedural knowledge. The test assesses integrity, perspective taking, team involvement, resilience and adaptability. 

Q.1. Jack, a dental student, has been given a minor role in the annual charity comedy and cabaret evening hosted by the dental school’s drama society. He has been given a script, which he is required to learn for his role. On reading the script, Jack discovers that the comedy sketch he is involved in makes a joke about international students. Jack finds the joke offensive and feels uncomfortable about performing it. However, when he raises it with the other cast members, they do not share his views.
Q. How important to take into account are the following considerations for Jack when deciding how to respond to the situation?
The fact that the other cast members do not seem to find the joke offensive
(a) Very important
(b) Important
(c) Of minor importance
(d) Not important at all

Correct Answer is Option (c)
Whether other members of the cast find the jokes offensive or not is not important because Jack himself does, although this is at least somewhat reassuring, and so is not considered to be highly unimportant.

Q.2. Jack, a dental student, has been given a minor role in the annual charity comedy and cabaret evening hosted by the dental school’s drama society. He has been given a script, which he is required to learn for his role. On reading the script, Jack discovers that the comedy sketch he is involved in makes a joke about international students. Jack finds the joke offensive and feels uncomfortable about performing it. However, when he raises it with the other cast members, they do not share his views.
Q. How important to take into account are the following considerations for Jack when deciding how to respond to the situation?
That the audience may also find the joke offensive
(a) Very important
(b) Important
(c) Of minor importance
(d) Not important at all

Correct Answer is Option (c)
If Jack finds the joke offensive then it is likely that members of the audience might also find it offensive. In this case it may reflect badly on Jack and the school.

Q.3. Merryn, a medical student, is walking through a hospital corridor when she sees a small pool of liquid in the middle of the floor. She is already five minutes late for the start of her shift, however does not want to leave without cleaning it up. Merryn must decide how to deal with the situation.
Q. How important to take into account are the following considerations for Merryn when deciding how to respond to the situation?
The possibility that the liquid could be hazardou
(a) Very important
(b) Important
(c) Of minor importance
(d) Not important at all

Correct Answer is Option (a)
It is very important that Merryn considers the potential hazardous nature of the liquid. It is unacceptable to expose staff to known hazards in the workplace, and to expose patients to further risks on top of their current ailments and infections.

Q.4. Merryn, a medical student, is walking through a hospital corridor when she sees a small pool of liquid in the middle of the floor. She is already five minutes late for the start of her shift, however does not want to leave without cleaning it up. Merryn must decide how to deal with the situation.
Q. How important to take into account are the following considerations for Merryn when deciding how to respond to the situation?
The potential risk of infection that the liquid presents to patients in the hospital
(a) Very important
(b) Important
(c) Of minor importance
(d) Not important at all

Correct Answer is Option (a)
This is very important. It is very important that Merryn considers the potential infection risk of the liquid. In a hospital environment, patients are often more susceptible to acquiring infections and diseases.

Q.5. Merryn, a medical student, is walking through a hospital corridor when she sees a small pool of liquid in the middle of the floor. She is already five minutes late for the start of her shift, however does not want to leave without cleaning it up. Merryn must decide how to deal with the situation.
Q. How important to take into account are the following considerations for Merryn when deciding how to respond to the situation?
That Merryn is running five minutes late for her shift
(a) Very important
(b) Important
(c) Of minor importance
(d) Not important at all

Correct Answer is Option (c)
This is of minor importance. Merryn could take into account the fact that she is running late, however the safety of staff and patients should be her main concern.

Q.6. Merryn, a medical student, is walking through a hospital corridor when she sees a small pool of liquid in the middle of the floor. She is already five minutes late for the start of her shift, however does not want to leave without cleaning it up. Merryn must decide how to deal with the situation.
Q. How important to take into account are the following considerations for Merryn when deciding how to respond to the situation?
That it is not Merryn’s job to clean the hospital
(a) Very important
(b) Important
(c) Of minor importance
(d) Not important at all

Correct Answer is Option (a)
This is not important at all, as the safety of staff and patients should be her main concern. Merryn should coordinate an appropriate response to the spilt liquid, even if she herself does not end up cleaning it up.

Q.7. Merryn, a medical student, is walking through a hospital corridor when she sees a small pool of liquid in the middle of the floor. She is already five minutes late for the start of her shift, however does not want to leave without cleaning it up. Merryn must decide how to deal with the situation.
Q. How important to take into account are the following considerations for Merryn when deciding how to respond to the situation?
The chance that someone may slip over in the liquid and hurt themselves
(a) Very important
(b) Important
(c) Of minor importance
(d) Not important at all

Correct Answer is Option (a)
It is very important that Merryn considers whether someone may slip and hurt themselves. This is likely, given the position of the liquid. Whilst staff may hurt themselves, the greater risk is for patients who may have impaired vision, mobility or stability.

Q.8. A seven-year-old patient, Jessica, has arrived at the hospital with her mother, Germaine. After conducting an examination, Pauline, a medical student, determines that Jessica is having an asthma attack and needs an inhaler with medication to treat her asthma. After explaining this, Germaine tells Pauline that she does not “believe in medicating” her child. She tells Pauline that she prefers to use herbal remedies. It is important for Jessica to use the inhaler to prevent her asthma from getting worse.
Q. How important to take into account are the following considerations for Pauline when deciding how to respond to the situation?
That Germaine does not believe that the medical inhaler is necessary
(a) Very important
(b) Important
(c) Of minor importance
(d) Not important at all

Correct Answer is Option (b)
This is an important consideration because, as Jessica is a child, and Germaine is her parent, Germaine’s wishes must be taken into consideration. However, it is not highly important because Germaine may change her mind if Pauline explains that there may be a threat to Jessica’s life if is she does not use the inhaler.

Q.9. A seven-year-old patient, Jessica, has arrived at the hospital with her mother, Germaine. After conducting an examination, Pauline, a medical student, determines that Jessica is having an asthma attack and needs an inhaler with medication to treat her asthma. After explaining this, Germaine tells Pauline that she does not “believe in medicating” her child. She tells Pauline that she prefers to use herbal remedies. It is important for Jessica to use the inhaler to prevent her asthma from getting worse.
Q. How important to take into account are the following considerations for Pauline when deciding how to respond to the situation?
That as a medical student, she knows that it is important for Jessica to use the medical inhaler to prevent her asthma from getting worse
(a) Very important
(b) Important
(c) Of minor importance
(d) Not important at all

Correct Answer is Option (a)
Pauline’s knowledge as a medical student means that she knows that it is strongly advised that Jessica uses her medical inhaler to treat her asthma attack, and there may be a threat to Jessica’s life if untreated. This is therefore very important in how Pauline responds to the situation.

Q.10. A seven-year-old patient, Jessica, has arrived at the hospital with her mother, Germaine. After conducting an examination, Pauline, a medical student, determines that Jessica is having an asthma attack and needs an inhaler with medication to treat her asthma. After explaining this, Germaine tells Pauline that she does not “believe in medicating” her child. She tells Pauline that she prefers to use herbal remedies. It is important for Jessica to use the inhaler to prevent her asthma from getting worse.
Q. How important to take into account are the following considerations for Pauline when deciding how to respond to the situation?
That Jessica is in need of medical treatment
(a) Very important
(b) Important
(c) Of minor importance
(d) Not important at all

Correct Answer is Option (a)
This is a very important consideration because Jessica’s need for medical treatment is urgent; her asthma could be life threatening if not treated quickly.

Q.11. A seven-year-old patient, Jessica, has arrived at the hospital with her mother, Germaine. After conducting an examination, Pauline, a medical student, determines that Jessica is having an asthma attack and needs an inhaler with medication to treat her asthma. After explaining this, Germaine tells Pauline that she does not “believe in medicating” her child. She tells Pauline that she prefers to use herbal remedies. It is important for Jessica to use the inhaler to prevent her asthma from getting worse.
Q. How important to take into account are the following considerations for Pauline when deciding how to respond to the situation?
That Germaine is not likely to encourage Jessica to use the medical inhaler
(a) Very important
(b) Important
(c) Of minor importance
(d) Not important at all

Correct Answer is Option (b)
Whilst this is important, because Germaine cannot be relied upon to do what is safest for Jessica in this situation, Germaine may change her mind if Pauline explains that there may be a threat to Jessica’s life if she does not use the inhaler.

Q.12. A seven-year-old patient, Jessica, has arrived at the hospital with her mother, Germaine. After conducting an examination, Pauline, a medical student, determines that Jessica is having an asthma attack and needs an inhaler with medication to treat her asthma. After explaining this, Germaine tells Pauline that she does not “believe in medicating” her child. She tells Pauline that she prefers to use herbal remedies. It is important for Jessica to use the inhaler to prevent her asthma from getting worse.
Q. How important to take into account are the following considerations for Pauline when deciding how to respond to the situation?
That Germaine has a right to decide how to manage Jessica’s treatment and care
(a) Very important
(b) Important
(c) Of minor importance
(d) Not important at all

Correct Answer is Option (a)
As Germaine is Jessica’s parent, and Jessica is a child, Germaine has the right to decide how to manage Jessica’s treatment and care. Therefore Germaine’s wishes are a very important consideration in this situation.

Q.13. A medical student, Cameron, is told by a patient, that a consultant frequently swears loudly on the ward which makes him feel so uncomfortable that he does not want to stay in hospital. Cameron consults a nurse on the ward and she tells him that she has not ever witnessed this behaviour by the consultant. The nurse reminds Cameron that the patient might just dislike being in hospital. Cameron is unsure what to do because the consultant is marking one of his assessments.
Q. How important to take into account are the following considerations for Cameron when deciding how to respond to the situation?
The consultant is marking one of his assessments
(a) Very important
(b) Important
(c) Of minor importance
(d) Not important at all

Correct Answer is Option (d)
Although there may be apparent consequences for raising an issue with the consultant, the overriding consideration should be that of the patient. Assessments should be marked professionally and objectively – this is not an important consideration.

Q.14. A medical student, Cameron, is told by a patient, that a consultant frequently swears loudly on the ward which makes him feel so uncomfortable that he does not want to stay in hospital. Cameron consults a nurse on the ward and she tells him that she has not ever witnessed this behaviour by the consultant. The nurse reminds Cameron that the patient might just dislike being in hospital. Cameron is unsure what to do because the consultant is marking one of his assessments.
Q. How important to take into account are the following considerations for Cameron when deciding how to respond to the situation?
Other patients may have overheard the consultant swearing loudly on the ward and also feel uncomfortable
(a) Very important
(b) Important
(c) Of minor importance
(d) Not important at all

Correct Answer is Option (b)
This may be true, and may be important when deciding how to respond. However, it is based on an assumption and so is not a very important consideration.

Q.15. A medical student, Cameron, is told by a patient, that a consultant frequently swears loudly on the ward which makes him feel so uncomfortable that he does not want to stay in hospital. Cameron consults a nurse on the ward and she tells him that she has not ever witnessed this behaviour by the consultant. The nurse reminds Cameron that the patient might just dislike being in hospital. Cameron is unsure what to do because the consultant is marking one of his assessments.
Q. How important to take into account are the following considerations for Cameron when deciding how to respond to the situation?
A patient on the ward has told him that he feels so uncomfortable that he wants to leave
(a) Very important
(b) Important
(c) Of minor importance
(d) Not important at all

Correct Answer is Option (a)
The patient’s safety and wellbeing should be the main concern at all times.

Q.16. A medical student, Cameron, is told by a patient, that a consultant frequently swears loudly on the ward which makes him feel so uncomfortable that he does not want to stay in hospital. Cameron consults a nurse on the ward and she tells him that she has not ever witnessed this behaviour by the consultant. The nurse reminds Cameron that the patient might just dislike being in hospital. Cameron is unsure what to do because the consultant is marking one of his assessments.
Q. How important to take into account are the following considerations for Cameron when deciding how to respond to the situation?
The nurse has not witnessed the consultant swearing loudly on the ward
(a) Very important
(b) Important
(c) Of minor importance
(d) Not important at all

Correct Answer is Option (b)
This may be true and so it is important to take it into account, however, as Cameron has received a direct complaint from a patient, this should be followed up regardless of who can support or refute it.

Q.17. Shannon, a medical student, is on a flight to Thailand for a holiday. With two hours until landing, a flight attendant makes an announcement asking if there are any medically qualified people on board as there has been a medical emergency. Shannon has had a lot of medical training but is not yet a qualified doctor. The announcement repeats a few times and Shannon suspects that there are no medically qualified people on board. Other passengers are becoming increasingly anxious because of the repeated announcements. Shannon must decide if she should respond to the call.
Q. How important to take into account are the following considerations for Shannon when deciding how to respond to the situation?
That the situation has been declared as a medical emergency
(a) Very important
(b) Important
(c) Of minor importance
(d) Not important at all

Correct Answer is Option (a)
If a medical emergency has been declared then it suggests not only that there is a need for more advanced support, but also that the situation is urgent. This is a very important consideration for Shannon, to which she should respond quickly.

Q.18. Shannon, a medical student, is on a flight to Thailand for a holiday. With two hours until landing, a flight attendant makes an announcement asking if there are any medically qualified people on board as there has been a medical emergency. Shannon has had a lot of medical training but is not yet a qualified doctor. The announcement repeats a few times and Shannon suspects that there are no medically qualified people on board. Other passengers are becoming increasingly anxious because of the repeated announcements. Shannon must decide if she should respond to the call.
Q. How important to take into account are the following considerations for Shannon when deciding how to respond to the situation?
That even if she does respond to the call, Shannon may not be able to assist in a meaningful way
(a) Very important
(b) Important
(c) Of minor importance
(d) Not important at all

Correct Answer is Option (c)
Although Shannon is not yet qualified, it is likely that her medical training so far will mean that she can deal effectively with a medical emergency. It is relatively unimportant for her to consider that she may not be able to assist, and she should not make this assumption.

Q.19. Shannon, a medical student, is on a flight to Thailand for a holiday. With two hours until landing, a flight attendant makes an announcement asking if there are any medically qualified people on board as there has been a medical emergency. Shannon has had a lot of medical training but is not yet a qualified doctor. The announcement repeats a few times and Shannon suspects that there are no medically qualified people on board. Other passengers are becoming increasingly anxious because of the repeated announcements. Shannon must decide if she should respond to the call.
Q. How important to take into account are the following considerations for Shannon when deciding how to respond to the situation?
That the passengers are becoming increasingly anxious because of the repeated announcement
(a) Very important
(b) Important
(c) Of minor importance
(d) Not important at all

Correct Answer is Option (c)
Shannon should respond calmly and appropriately regardless of the anxiety levels of other passengers. However this is of some consideration.

Q.20. Shannon, a medical student, is on a flight to Thailand for a holiday. With two hours until landing, a flight attendant makes an announcement asking if there are any medically qualified people on board as there has been a medical emergency. Shannon has had a lot of medical training but is not yet a qualified doctor. The announcement repeats a few times and Shannon suspects that there are no medically qualified people on board. Other passengers are becoming increasingly anxious because of the repeated announcements. Shannon must decide if she should respond to the call.
Q. How important to take into account are the following considerations for Shannon when deciding how to respond to the situation?
That another passenger may still come forward as medically qualified
(a) Very important
(b) Important
(c) Of minor importance
(d) Not important at all

Correct Answer is Option (c)
If a medical emergency has been declared then it suggests that the situation is urgent. Shannon should respond quickly and offer as much help as she can. Whether or not another more qualified passenger may come forward initially is of minor importance.