Question 1

When a death occurs, ____ traditionally cover the mirrors in the house.

Accepted Answer

Orthodox Jews traditionally cover the mirrors in the house when a death occurs. This is done as a sign of respect for the deceased and to avoid any distraction that may arise from one's own appearance during mourning.

Question 2

When attempting to determine if someone is 'whole-brain dead', a doctor would be least likely to ask

Accepted Answer

The presence of neurotransmitters in brain cells is not a reliable indicator of whole-brain death.

Question 3

Who is clinically dead?

Accepted Answer

Clinical death is defined as the cessation of heart and respiratory function. Palesa fits this definition by not breathing and having no heartbeat. Jabu and Hilda may also have significant medical issues, but without evidence of cessation of heart and respiratory function, they would not be considered clinically dead.

Question 4

After an accident, Sipho's heart is not beating and he has stopped breathing. Sipho is

Accepted Answer

Sipho is clinically dead because he is not breathing and his heart is not beating, indicating that his vital organs have stopped working.

Question 5

The rituals of the Muscogee Creek tribe include digging graves by hand and throwing a handful of dirt onto the grave before covering it. What do tribe members call the act of throwing a handful of dirt onto the grave?

Accepted Answer

The act of throwing a handful of dirt onto the grave is referred to as a "farewell handshake" by members of the Muscogee Creek tribe. This symbolic gesture is part of their burial rituals, signifying a final goodbye to the deceased.

Question 6

Individuals in permanent comas or persistent vegetative states

Accepted Answer

Individuals in permanent comas or persistent vegetative states will not regain consciousness but they do not meet the whole-brain standard of death. According to this standard, death is the irreversible cessation of all brain activity, including in the brainstem, which controls essential bodily functions like breathing and heart rate. While those in a permanent coma or persistent vegetative state may have irreversibly lost consciousness, their brainstem is still functioning, allowing them to breathe and maintain other life functions. Therefore, they are not considered dead by the whole-brain standard.

Question 7

Dr Hadebe teaches bioethics. What lecture title would be most representative of his field?

Accepted Answer

The lecture title "Mercy killing: Legal or illegal?" falls within the realm of bioethics, which deals with ethical issues related to healthcare, research, and biotechnology. The other options are more focused on specific areas of biology and neuroscience, rather than the ethical considerations surrounding them.

Question 8

Bioethics concerns the interface between human values and technological advances in

Accepted Answer

Bioethics primarily concerns itself with issues related to health and life sciences, such as medical practices, genetic technology, and biomedical research. While philosophy and religion may influence ethical views, they are not the primary areas of focus in bioethics. Computer science does not typically intersect with bioethics.

Question 9

Which man-made structure best illustrates the variations in the customs surrounding death?

Accepted Answer

The Taj Mahal in India is a mausoleum built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal. The structure serves as an example of how different cultures deal with death, grief and remembrance. The elaborate decoration and luxurious materials used in the construction illustrate the importance of honoring and commemorating the dead in Indian culture.

Question 10

By definition, euthanasia is the practice of ending life for reasons of

Accepted Answer

Euthanasia is a practice that is done to relieve the pain and suffering of an individual who is terminally ill or suffering from a condition that causes extreme pain and discomfort. The purpose of euthanasia is often to alleviate the pain and suffering of the individual, rather than to speed up the process of death or for religious reasons. Therefore, option A, mercy, is the best choice.

Question 11

Dr du Plessis has made a career out of studying mercy killing and new surgical options to extend life. She is most likely interested in

Accepted Answer

Dr du Plessis' focus on mercy killing and new surgical options raises ethical questions regarding the value and justification of extending life. This suggests an interest in bioethics, which explores ethical issues in healthcare and medical research.

Question 12

A person in a persistent vegetative state would be

Accepted Answer

A person in a persistent vegetative state has lost higher brain function and consciousness, but is still able to maintain lower brain functions such as breathing and heartbeat. Therefore, they are not clinically dead and can keep their heart beating without consciousness. However, they are not capable of engaging in any form of thought or cognitive processing. They are also not considered whole-brain dead, as there may still be activity in the brainstem.

Question 13

Which of these is not part of the definition of active euthanasia?

Accepted Answer

The definition of active euthanasia does not require that the individual be in a persistent vegetative state or whole-brain dead. Active euthanasia involves a deliberate act of ending a life, based on the statement by an individual who wants to die, and is made by someone with legal authority to do so.

Question 14

The permanent stoppage of all brainstem reflexes is one of the criteria for

Accepted Answer

The permanent stoppage of all brainstem reflexes is one of the criteria for whole-brain death, which is considered the legal and medical definition of death in many countries. Clinical death refers to the cessation of heartbeat and respiration, but the brain may still be functioning. Euthanasia is a deliberate action taken to end a person's life, usually to relieve suffering. Death as a mystery is not a recognized concept in medical or legal contexts.

Question 15

Bonolo's cortical functioning has ceased, but her brain stem is still active. Bonolo would be best described as

Accepted Answer

Bonolo's cessation of cortical functioning means that she is no longer capable of conscious awareness or higher cognitive processes such as perception, thought, or memory. However, her brain stem, which controls crucial functions such as breathing and heartbeat, is still active. This indicates that she may be in a persistent vegetative state, a condition in which a person's brain stem functions, but they are not conscious or aware of their surroundings.

Question 16

Jac is living in Ghana and is said to be dying a 'good death'. This means that he

Accepted Answer

A 'good death' typically refers to an individual who has made peace with their friends and family, settled any outstanding disputes, and has come to terms with the inevitability of death. It does not involve taking one's own life or sacrificing an animal to a god. The age of the individual is not a factor in determining a 'good death'.

Question 17

The study of death, dying, grief, bereavement, and social attitudes toward these issues is called

Accepted Answer

The study of death, dying, grief, bereavement, and social attitudes toward these issues is called thanatology.

Question 18

Dr Khumalo has just purposely killed a patient by injecting her with a lethal amount of medication. This patient had an incurable illness and requested to die rather than go through a long, painful treatment. This is an example of

Accepted Answer

Dr Khumalo's intentional act of administering a lethal dose of medication to end the patient's life constitutes active euthanasia. Passive euthanasia, on the other hand, involves withholding or withdrawing treatment that would prolong the patient's life. Inducing a persistent vegetative state is also not an acceptable practice in medicine. Clinical death refers to the cessation of heartbeat and breathing, which may be reversible with appropriate interventions.

Question 19

Which person is struggling most with a bioethical issue?

Accepted Answer

Bongani is the only person mentioned who is actively trying to make a decision regarding a bioethical issue. Boitumelo is in a vegetative state and unable to make decisions, Ahmed's wife has already passed away, and the concept of a "farewell handshake" is not a clear bioethical issue.

Question 20

The definition of death

Accepted Answer

The definition of death can vary within and between cultures due to differences in religious beliefs, medical technology, and social customs. For example, some cultures view death as a natural part of the life cycle, while others may see it as a transition to another realm or as a punishment for wrongdoing. Additionally, advances in medical technology have led to debates around brain death and the use of life support, further highlighting how the definition of death can be complex and subjective.

Quiz 16: Dying and Bereavement