What does "Pick a finger"mean?

Posted by Shae on August 08, 2003

In Reply to: What does "Pick a finger"mean? posted by Kashima on August 08, 2003

: I am now translating an American TV drama. A doctor is criticised by his colleagues for letting his patient die right after a surgery, but he refused to admit his neglegence, holds up his left hand (all his figers except his thumb) and says, "Pick a finger." Could anyone eplain what this phrase means?
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I think it means that he had several choices, any one of which could have led to the death of the patient. He chose one, and the patient died. He challenges his colleagues to place themselves in the same situation. Which procedure would they have chosen?