Deck 1: Theory of Healthcare Ethics

Question 1

Kant, Rawls, and Nozick are examples of writers in__________, a normative ethics theory.

Answer 1

deontology

Question 2

__________is an example of a writer in the teleological theories of ethics.

Answer 2

John Stuart Mill

Question 3

Virtue ethics is often applied to medical practice. Physicians are expected to engage in behaviors that demonstrate excellence and virtue in their actions, which is called. __________

Answer 3

eudaimonia

Question 4

__________is a tool that individuals use to decide what is good or evil under St Thomas' natural law theory.

Question 5

According to Kantian theory, __________ makes ethics possible.

Question 6

The criterion for determining whether one has a duty under Kantian ethics is the __________.

Question 7

In Kantian ethics, people can never be a __________. They are ends in themselves.

Question 8

The major principle behind Rawls's theory of justice__________

Question 9

Nozick disagreed with Rawls and supports the__________ an in ethics decision-making.

Question 10

Mills's utilitarian ethics theory stresses the reasonable person standard and providing the __________.

Question 11

Why is a foundation in ethics important to those who serve in health care?

Question 12

Kant uses the word duty in a central part of his theory. How does good will relate to your ethics duty in Kantian theory?

Question 13

Mill is often used in making decisions about the use of resources in health care and public health. Give one example of how his theory can be used to make these decisions.

Question 14

The nurse is preparing medications for an assigned client in the medication room and another nurse states, "It would be a lot faster for you if you just opened all the pills now and then bring the pills to the patients. That's how we always do it, so we finish on time." Which action would be most appropriate for the nurse to take?

A) Report the other nurse for preparing medications in an illegal manner.
B) Ask the other nurse if an error has ever been made when preparing medications that way.
C) Consider the suggestion by the nurse because this is a clear example of virtue ethics and the nurse should try to finish the work the most efficient way.
D) Understand that this is an example of authority-based theory and avoid taking the short-cut because it can lead to medication errors.

Question 15

The nurse is working a 12-hour day shift, it is now 2pm and the nurse has only had a 10-minute break at 9am, and has not had time to use the bathroom at all. The call bell rings from a patient who is asking for more prescribed pain medicine that is not scheduled to be given for at least 15 more minutes. Which action, if taken by the nurse, would demonstrate egoistic theory?

A) Quickly using the bathroom first, then going see the patient and explaining that the pain medication cannot be given right now.
B) Preparing the patient's medication before using the bathroom, so the medicine can be administered as soon as it is time.
C) Explaining to the patient that the medication is not due at this time, that you will be taking a short break and when you return you will give the patient the medicine.
D) Calling the prescribing doctor to request a change in the frequency, so you can administer the medication now and then take a break.

Question 16

Which of the following is true regarding ethical egoism in healthcare?

A) This theory is religion-based.
B) This theory does not relate to patient-centered care.
C) Ethical egoism can be considered positive or negative depending on the culture involved.
D) Ethical egoism should be considered when discussing a patient's living will with the patient's power of attorney for healthcare.

Question 17

A patient who is Jehovah witness and refuses a blood-transfusion to save their life would fall under which ethics theory?

A) virtue
B) egoism
C) authority-based
D) natural law

Question 18

The nurse is caring for a patient on the mental health unit who was admitted with severe depression and has a history of suicide attempts. The patient suddenly states, "You cannot keep me from killing myself, I will do it when you are not looking." Which action would demonstrate appropriate use of autonomy and be a priority for the nurse to take?

A) Immediately assign a one-to-one for the patient and then notify the doctor.
B) Place the patient in four-point restraints and document the patient's statement.
C) Administer a prescribed sedative to the patient.
D) Stay with the patient and ask the patient if he/she has a plan.

Question 19

Assisted suicide is an ethical dilemma that would mostly relate to which theory?

A) authority-based
B) egoism
C) virtue
D) natural law

Question 20

Which of the following is the major difference between teleological theories and deontological theories?

A) Deontological theories originated from the Greek and teleological theories are influenced by the Catholic Church.
B) Teleological theory believes the outcome of our actions should help determine what is right and deontological theories argues that consequences are not relevant to deciding between right and wrong.
C) Teleological theory is also known as utilitarianism and deontological theory has no other name.
D) Deontological theory is based on bringing out the best of every situation and teleological theory is based on finding our duties by deciding what is right which does not always end up improving a situation.

Question 21

Which of the following healthcare workers is demonstrating teleological theory while making an unethical decision?

A) The respiratory therapist used latex materials on a patient wearing an allergy bracelet that is labeled, "latex" and then cuts the bracelet off and hides it when the the patient has a mild reaction.
B) The environmental service staff labeled an empty patient's room as "clean", even though he/she knows that the bed and bathroom were never wiped down properly.
C) The doctor told the female patient he/she was sure she would not lose any of her hair during her chemotherapy treatment, even though he/she prescribed chemotherapy that lists alopecia (hair loss) as a major side effect.
D) The registered nurse (RN) steals narcotics from the stock cart rather than taking the patient's dose and giving the patient a placebo or lower dose.

Question 22

Which of the following accurately compares virtue ethics and egoistic theories?

A) Aristotle was the founder of both theories.
B) Both theories involve self-actualization.
C) The goal for both theories is doing the right thing for the right reasons.
D) Both theories are used in training to help produce ethical professionals.

Question 23

Which situation would be most appropriate for the nurse to apply the theory of double effect?

A) Completing documentation before end of shift.
B) Medicating a terminally-ill client with morphine.
C) Setting a meal tray for a client who is in a long-arm cast.
D) Review laboratory results with primary healthcare provider.

Question 24

Which of the following did Kant determine is essential for ethics?

A) intuition
B) values
C) free will
D) empathy

Question 25

Kant suggested that which of the following is the true test of good will?

A) the person's intention of the will
B) the person continues to act out of duty
C) the person's relationship to the will
D) the person has moral virtue

Question 26

Which of the following statements made by the nurse following a medication error indicates the nurse is acting as an autonomous agent?

A) "If the healthcare provider used legible handwriting, the medication would not have been given."
B) "There are too many patients who have multiple medications due at the same time."
C) "The pharmacist should have doubled check the prescriptions."
D) "I understand that the actions I took contributed to the incident."

Question 27

The second version of the categorical imperative emphasizes which of the following?

A) people are a means to an end
B) duty to respect every person
C) people are irrational in the natural world
D) treat each person the same

Question 28

Which action by the nurse manager demonstrates Kant's interpretation of the Golden Rule?

A) allowing the same staff members to take vacation at holidays
B) rotating the staff to work the same number of weekends a month
C) assigning the unit duties and responsibilities based on seniority
D) permitting certain staff members to take an in-service at their discretion

Question 29

For an act to have moral worth, the person must

A) have emotional inclinations to the act.
B) be driven by desires to act morally.
C) act from duty to moral law.
D) require a self-interest in the act.

Question 30

Which statement made by the nurse indicates a deontologist view of duty?

A) "I am taking courses to get an advanced degree to promote my career."
B) "Collaborating with other clinical professionals creates a positive environment."
C) "Attending meetings with administrators lets me understand the needs of the organization."
D) "Decisions that I make are focused on maximizing the benefits of my patients."

Question 31

Which situation would the healthcare team have to apply the best interests standard?

A) The patient who is alert and oriented and is refusing hemodialysis.
B) The patient who requires continued care at home and lives with several family members.
C) The patient who is unconscious and requires emergent surgery.
D) The patient who is requesting further information about prescribed medication.

Question 32

The purpose of ethics theories is to act as a guide for people involved in dilemmas to make good decisions about the situation.

Question 33

The theory of double effect assumes that the bad effect is a means to the good effect.