Question 1

A person is either fully autonomous or entirely lacking in autonomy.

Accepted Answer

Autonomy exists on a spectrum, and a person's level of autonomy can vary depending on various factors such as age, mental capacity, and social or cultural contexts.

Question 2

Act- and rule-utilitarians do not dramatically disagree on how to balance patient autonomy and provider beneficence.

Accepted Answer

Act-utilitarians focus on the consequences of individual actions in specific situations, while rule-utilitarians consider the consequences of following general rules. This difference can lead to significant disagreements on how to balance patient autonomy and provider beneficence, as act-utilitarians might prioritize different outcomes in specific cases compared to rule-utilitarians who adhere to broader rules that aim to maximize overall well-being.

Question 3

It is an accepted truth that nurses have a duty to follow a doctor's orders even when they think those orders are questionable. Physicians must always be the ultimate authority on treatment in urgent or serious cases.

Accepted Answer

Nurses have a professional and ethical obligation to advocate for their patients' safety and well-being, which includes questioning and clarifying doctors' orders when they believe those orders could be harmful or are not in the best interest of the patient. Nurses are trained professionals with a duty to exercise their judgment and communicate concerns to ensure patient safety.

Question 4

Limitations on a person's autonomy can include psychological coercion.

Accepted Answer

Psychological coercion can limit a person's autonomy by influencing or manipulating their decisions and actions against their will or best interest, thereby restricting their freedom to make independent choices.

Question 5

Only a few states have religious exemptions in their civil codes on child abuse or neglect.

Accepted Answer

Most states in the U.S. have some form of religious exemption in their civil codes regarding child abuse or neglect, allowing parents to refuse certain medical treatments for their children based on religious beliefs.

Question 6

Although patient autonomy is a serious concern that is hotly debated, physician autonomy is rarely a cause for concern or debate.

Accepted Answer

Physician autonomy is also a significant concern and subject of debate, especially in contexts where it intersects with patient autonomy, ethical dilemmas, and healthcare policies. Physicians must navigate their own professional judgment, ethical guidelines, and the preferences and rights of their patients, which can lead to complex debates about the extent and limits of their autonomy.

Question 7

There is legal and medical consensus that an adolescent can be a "mature minor" to make health decisions for themselves.

Accepted Answer

The answer of There is legal and medical consensus that...

Question 8

A physician is not obligated to perform medically futile treatments even if it will keep the patient's body alive.

Accepted Answer

Physicians are not obligated to perform treatments that they determine to be medically futile, as these treatments do not provide a significant benefit to the patient's health or quality of life.

Question 9

Ultimately, the courts affirmed Elizabeth Bouvia's right to die by starvation on the grounds that she had a constitutionally guaranteed right to refuse medical treatment.

Accepted Answer

Elizabeth Bouvia was a woman with cerebral palsy who fought for the right to refuse force-feeding, arguing it was her right to refuse medical treatment. The courts ultimately supported her decision, recognizing her right to refuse unwanted medical procedures.

Question 10

Natural law theory is more paternalistic than Kantian ethics.

Accepted Answer

Natural law theory often involves a set of prescribed behaviors based on what is considered inherently right or wrong according to a moral order, which can lead to a more paternalistic approach in guiding human action. Kantian ethics, on the other hand, emphasizes autonomy and rationality, allowing individuals to determine their moral duties through the use of reason, thus being less paternalistic.

Question 11

In your own words, define paternalism and explain the difference between strong and weak paternalism.

Accepted Answer

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Question 12

A patient is pushing to receive a treatment their doctor deems medically futile. What is a widely recognized principle to which the physician can appeal?

Accepted Answer

The answer of A patient is pushing to receive a...

Question 13

What is an "advance directive" and how can it extend patient autonomy?

Accepted Answer

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Question 14

Explain why Kantian ethics rejects paternalism.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Explain why Kantian ethics rejects paternalism....

Question 15

Explain why act- and rule-utilitarians might disagree on cases concerning patient autonomy and paternalism.

Accepted Answer

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Question 16

The Following Questions For Readings: "Paternalism," Gerald Dworkin
-Dworkin accepts Mill's view that society may sometimes justifiably restrict a person's liberty for purposes of

Accepted Answer

Dworkin agrees with Mill's harm principle, which allows for the restriction of an individual's liberty to prevent harm to themselves (self-protection) or to others, but not for paternalistic reasons unrelated to harm prevention.

Question 17

The Following Questions For Readings: "Paternalism," Gerald Dworkin
-Dworkin argues that some limited forms of state paternalism

Accepted Answer

Dworkin argues that under certain conditions, limited forms of state paternalism can indeed be justified, especially when they are aimed at protecting individuals from self-harm.

Question 18

The Following Questions For Readings: "Paternalism," Gerald Dworkin
-Dworkin argues that the state's burden of proof in justifying paternalism is

Accepted Answer

Dworkin argues that the state has a heavy burden of proof when justifying paternalistic actions, meaning it must have strong reasons for interfering with an individual's freedom for their own good.

Question 19

The Following Questions For Readings: "The Refutation of Medical Paternalism," Alan Goldman
-Goldman argues that persons

Accepted Answer

Goldman argues that individuals are the best judges of their own interests, emphasizing autonomy and the importance of personal choice in medical decisions, which opposes the concept of medical paternalism.

Question 20

The Following Questions For Readings: "The Refutation of Medical Paternalism," Alan Goldman
-Goldman asserts that self-determination is

Accepted Answer

Goldman asserts that self-determination is valuable for its own sake, emphasizing the intrinsic value of autonomy and the right of individuals to make their own choices regarding their health care.

Quiz 3: Paternalism and Patient Autonomy