Question 1

Which of the following end-of-life issues raises an ethical dilemma?&#10;A) Maintaining quality of life&#10;B) Adopting a palliative model of care&#10;C) Following an advance directive&#10;D) Withdrawal of nutritional support

Accepted Answer

The withdrawal of nutritional support raises an ethical dilemma because it involves actively ending a patient's life by removing a necessary means of sustenance. This decision must be carefully considered and may conflict with the patient's wishes, values, or religious beliefs, as well as societal and cultural norms surrounding end-of-life care. The other choices pertain to issues that are important to consider but do not necessarily present an immediate ethical dilemma.

Question 2

Which of the following describes the concept of morality?&#10;A) A person's obligations in response to another's claims on him or her&#10;B) The freedom to make one's own decisions&#10;C) The beliefs that guide a person's decisions&#10;D) A code of conduct put forward by a group to guide behaviour

Accepted Answer

The concept of morality is a code of conduct put forward by a group to guide behavior. Morality is a set of principles and values that govern individual behavior within a society. It can be based on ethics, religion, cultural norms, or personal beliefs, and it outlines what is considered right and wrong in a given context. Morality provides a framework for individual decision-making and helps to ensure that people live together harmoniously.

Question 3

What is the definition of the ethical principle of nonmaleficence?&#10;A) It encompasses the duty to promote good.&#10;B) It is related to preserving a person's right to self-determination.&#10;C) It encompasses the duty to refrain from harming another person.&#10;D) It is related to establishing a trusting relationship between health professional and client.

Accepted Answer

The ethical principle of nonmaleficence refers to the duty of healthcare professionals to not cause harm to their patients. This principle is often considered one of the fundamental principles of medical ethics and guides many aspects of clinical decision-making and care. Option A refers to the ethical principle of beneficence, which is closely related to nonmaleficence but pertains to actively promoting the well-being of patients. Option B refers to the ethical principle of autonomy, which pertains to respecting a patient's right to make their own decisions about their healthcare. Option D refers to the importance of building trust between healthcare professionals and patients, which is related to several ethical principles including beneficence, nonmaleficence, and autonomy.

Question 4

Why is beneficence an important ethical theory in health care?&#10;A) It forms the basis for charters of human rights.&#10;B) It allows decisions to be guided by rules set out by a higher power.&#10;C) It encompasses the act of doing good.&#10;D) It prevents a client from having self-determination.

Accepted Answer

Beneficence is important in health care because it encompasses the act of doing good for the patient. Health care providers have a duty to act in the best interest of their patients and to provide benefit while avoiding harm. This ethical principle guides decision-making in health care and helps to ensure that patients receive appropriate care and treatment.

Question 5

What is considered the most rigid ethical theory?&#10;A) Deontological theory&#10;B) Divine command ethics&#10;C) Virtue ethics&#10;D) Teleological theory

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is considered the most rigid ethical...

Question 6

What is compassionate interference?&#10;A) Consulting with family members about treatment&#10;B) Administering analgesia even if the client has not asked for it&#10;C) Withdrawal of life-prolonging treatment&#10;D) Imposing treatment deemed to be in the client's best interest against his or her will

Accepted Answer

Compassionate interference refers to imposing treatment that is deemed to be in the client's best interest even if it goes against his or her will. This is a controversial issue, as it can be seen as violating the client's autonomy and right to self-determination. It is typically only considered in extreme cases where the client is unable to make decisions for themselves and their life is at immediate risk. Administering analgesia without the client's request (B) and withdrawal of life-prolonging treatment (C) can be ethical interventions depending on the specific circumstances, but they do not necessarily fall under the category of compassionate interference. Consulting with family members about treatment (A) is a standard part of healthcare practice, but it does not involve imposing treatment against the client's will.

Question 7

Which of the following is an ethical issue brought about by genetic testing?&#10;A) It allows an individual to make informed decisions about his or her health.&#10;B) An individual may be discriminated against based on the result.&#10;C) It allows potential parents to make informed decisions about having children.&#10;D) It allows for scheduling of a suitable hospital for birth if a child is likely to need support.

Accepted Answer

Discrimination based on genetic test results is a major ethical concern in genetic testing. It can lead to stigmatization, prejudice, and loss of opportunities in education, employment, and insurance.

Question 8

Which of the following situations represents a violation of a professional boundary?&#10;A) A physician going on vacation with one of her patients&#10;B) A nursing unit receiving a gift after the patient has left&#10;C) A physiotherapist becoming running partners with a former client&#10;D) A physician referring care of his sister-in-law to a colleague

Accepted Answer

Going on vacation with a patient represents a significant violation of professional boundaries. It blurs the lines between a professional relationship and a personal relationship, and creates the potential for exploitation or harm to the patient. Choosing to engage in this type of behavior can result in professional consequences, including disciplinary action and loss of licensure. The other options listed do not necessarily constitute a violation of professional boundaries, although some could potentially create conflicts of interest or ethical dilemmas.

Question 9

Why does organ transplantation raise ethical concerns?&#10;A) Donor organs are a limited resource.&#10;B) It is a recognized medical intervention.&#10;C) It is only considered when all other options have been exhausted.&#10;D) There are more donor organs available than recipients.

Accepted Answer

Organ transplantation raises ethical concerns because donor organs are a limited resource, and there are not enough organs to meet the demand for them. This creates ethical dilemmas, such as how to allocate organs fairly among recipients, and how to decide who should have priority for receiving a transplant. Additionally, there are concerns about the safety and efficacy of transplantation procedures, as well as the potential for exploitation and coercion of donors and recipients. All of these issues require careful consideration and ethical analysis in order to ensure that the benefits of organ transplantation are maximized while minimizing potential harms and injustices.

Question 10

Ethics is the study of:&#10;A) standards of right and wrong in human behaviour.&#10;B) moral obligations of health professionals.&#10;C) philosophy.&#10;D) laws related to health care.

Accepted Answer

Ethics is the study of determining what is right or wrong in human behavior. It involves developing and following a code of conduct that governs individuals and organizations' actions and decisions. It is a branch of philosophy concerned with determining good and evil, virtue and vice, right and wrong conduct. Ethics is not limited to the study of health professionals; it's a broader concept applicable to any field or individual's actions. Laws related to healthcare fall in the domain of health law, a separate field of study.

Deck 5: Ethics and Health Care