What is the duty-hour limit for medical interns as described in the material?

What is the duty-hour limit for medical interns as described in the material?

• A. 80 hours per week and 16-hour shifts
• B. 60 hours per week and 24-hour shifts
• C. 100 hours per week and 12-hour shifts
• D. 40 hours per week and 8-hour shifts

Answer: (A)

Duty-hour limits are designed to prevent fatigue and protect patient safety. For medical interns, the limits specify 80 hours of work per week, averaged over four weeks, with shifts capped at 16 hours of continuous duty. This combination ensures interns have sufficient rest while still getting essential clinical experience. The other numbers don’t match what the material describes for interns: 24-hour shifts would exceed the intern cap, and 60, 100, or 40 hours per week do not align with the stated 80-hour weekly limit. Note that more senior residents may have different shift structures, but the intern-specific rule is 80 hours per week and a 16-hour maximum shift.

Duty-hour limits are designed to prevent fatigue and protect patient safety. For medical interns, the limits specify 80 hours of work per week, averaged over four weeks, with shifts capped at 16 hours of continuous duty. This combination ensures interns have sufficient rest while still getting essential clinical experience. The other numbers don’t match what the material describes for interns: 24-hour shifts would exceed the intern cap, and 60, 100, or 40 hours per week do not align with the stated 80-hour weekly limit. Note that more senior residents may have different shift structures, but the intern-specific rule is 80 hours per week and a 16-hour maximum shift.