Can a practitioner perform, or attempt to perform, any surgery for which they have not had reasonable training?

• A. In emergencies
• B. Yes
• C. Only with mentor
• D. No

Answer: (D)

The essential idea is that you must practice only within the training and competence you have actually received. Performing or attempting a surgery you have not had reasonable training for is unsafe and breaches the standard of care, exposing the patient to undue risk and opening the door to malpractice claims.

In emergencies, the responsible action remains to work within your capabilities, stabilize the patient, and obtain specialized help as soon as possible. You should not undertake a procedure outside your trained scope, even if help is not immediately available.

Options that imply an exception—doing it in emergencies, or doing it with a mentor, or that you can always do it—don’t align with the rule that you must be reasonably trained for the specific surgery before performing it.