Deck 8: Complexity at the End of Life: the Ethical and Legal Challenges

Question 1

Under the MAID legislation, nurses are not permitted to a play a role in an assisted death. Only physicians and pharmacists are permitted to play an active role in the process.

Answer 1

False

Question 2

For nurses, an ethical dilemma is resolved when a seriously brain-injured child is declared brain dead and is removed from the ventilator.

Answer 2

False

Question 3

Some persons in Canada disagree with the Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID), legislation, based on the ethical principle of the sanctity of life. What principle might support the argument of others who disagree with this view?

A) Autonomy
B) Veracity
C) Informed choice
D) Responsibility and accountability

Answer 3

Autonomy

Question 4

The nurse is caring for a dying patient and his family. The nurse should incorporate cultural factors into the evaluation of care.

Question 5

Which of the following situation is an example of an ethical dilemma that can arise for a team on a medical unit while caring for a terminally ill patient who is near death?

A) The family wishes that the patient will live longer.
B) The family requests intravenous (IV) fluids for hydration of the patient.
C) The family requests administration of narcotics for the patient's pain relief.
D) The family refuses to allow the patient's transfer to a palliative care unit.

Question 6

Which of the following people can make the decision to donate postmortem tissue?

A) The nurse on duty at the time of the patient's death
B) The patient's spouse
C) The physician
D) The funeral director

Question 7

Which of the following statement best describes assisted suicide?

A) It is a form of withdrawal of treatment.
B) It is a passive process, and the patient is mentally competent.
C) It is an active process, and the patient is mentally incompetent.
D) It is an active process, and the patient is mentally competent.

Question 8

The daughter of a patient in the nurse's care states that her mother has verbally expressed her wishes for treatment. This is an example of an advance directive or living will.

Question 9

A nurse administers larger doses of narcotics prescribed for pain control, which hastens a terminally ill patient's death. In which of the following acts has the nurse participated?

A) Medical Assistance in Dying
B) Assisted suicide
C) Passive euthanasia
D) An illegal act

Question 10

Which of the following best describes the engagement of nurses in MAID?

A) The law imposes a duty on nurses to participate in MAID when the criteria set out in the legislation are met.
B) Organizations participating in MAID should ensure that processes and policies are in place to support those health care professionals who do not want to participate.
C) Nurses can refuse to participate on the basis of their personal and religious values.
D) Nurses have the right to share their views on MAID with their patients or clients.

Question 11

Which of the following approach is the best way to increase the number of potential organ donors?

A) The nurse should approach all patients who are admitted through the hospital's emergency department and ask them about organ donation.
B) The nurse should wait until the patient is settled in an inpatient unit before asking about organ donation.
C) The nurse should only ask the families of dying patients in a Critical Care Unit about organ donation.
D) The nurse should provide organ donor information to patients who are discharged from the hospital.

Question 12

Nurses respect the values of various cultures best by following which of the following practices?

A) Respectfully explaining to an Indigenous family that pipe ceremonies are not permitted because of fire risk
B) Ensuring that they are knowledgeable about the cultures of their clients
C) Ensuring their own values are understood by their clients so that there is no confusion about the care plan
D) Undertaking a comprehensive assessment of the patient or client to understand their values and beliefs.

Question 13

When discussing the condition of a terminally ill patient with his or her family members, the terminology "Do Not Resuscitate" should never be discussed and offered because the family may think it means "do nothing."

Question 14

A nurse decides not to raise the issue of organ donation with a patient's family concerned that this might interfere with the grieving process. Which of the following statements describes how this nurse is acting?

A) The nurse is acting in the best interests of the family.
B) The nurse is acting in the best interests of the patient.
C) The nurse is being disrespectful of the patient's autonomy.
D) The nurse is acting this way because she knows the patient's organs are unsuitable.

Question 15

Which of the following activities will help ensure the dignity of older adult clients, regardless of their capacity?

A) Use terminology that older adult clients can understand, such as "diapers."
B) Engage in conversation with older adult clients about their lives.
C) Take over control from older adult clients as much as possible to conserve their energy.
D) Call older adult clients by their first name only.