Question 1

The case described as "the exception that proves the rule" questioned the limits of what might be expected in terms of state care and the authority of the medical establishment included all the below EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

The phrase "the exception that proves the rule" in the context of questioning the limits of state care and the authority of the medical establishment can encompass a wide range of issues, including systemic racism in healthcare (A), legal and custody issues following a coroner's certification of death (B), and specific high-profile cases that challenge existing medical and legal paradigms, such as that of 13-year-old Jahi McMath (C). Therefore, all the options listed are included within the scope of the discussion, making D the correct answer.

Question 2

What percentage of Dr. Kevorkian's clients were terminally ill?

Accepted Answer

Only 28.3 percent of Dr. Kevorkian's clients were terminally ill, indicating that a significant majority of the individuals he assisted were not facing imminent death due to terminal illnesses.

Question 3

The machine that Dr. Kevorkian created was known as the:

Accepted Answer

The machine that Dr. Kevorkian created was known as the "Mercitron." This device was designed to allow patients to self-administer a lethal dose of medications, facilitating physician-assisted suicide.

Question 4

Jack Kevorkian suggested establishing community centers across the nation where people could have assisted deaths upon request, and also where biomedical research could be done on dying and death. These centers were called:

Accepted Answer

Jack Kevorkian referred to these community centers as "orbitoria."

Question 5

______ was the first nation to enact a law that made it legal for a physician to assist in ending a patient's life.

Accepted Answer

The Netherlands was the first nation to enact a law that made it legal for a physician to assist in ending a patient's life with the Termination of Life on Request and Assisted Suicide (Review Procedures) Act in 2002. Belgium also has similar legislation. While assisted suicide and euthanasia are legal in some U.S. states, it is still not legal at the federal level. Australia does not currently have national legislation legalizing assisted suicide or euthanasia.

Question 6

What country followed the Netherlands by enacting physician-assisted suicide legislation in 2002?

Accepted Answer

Belgium followed the Netherlands by enacting physician-assisted suicide legislation in 2002.

Question 7

In 2009, which state followed Oregon with a Death with Dignity Act?

Accepted Answer

Washington followed Oregon with a Death with Dignity Act in 2009.

Question 8

Since the Death with Dignity Act (DVDA) began, individuals who requested this have primarily consisted of people with the following characteristics:

Accepted Answer

Studies have shown that individuals who have utilized the Death with Dignity Act (DVDA) are predominantly white, college-educated, and have health insurance. Race and ethnicity have not been found to be significant factors in DVDA usage. Therefore, option A is incorrect. Option C is also incorrect because DVDA requires insurance coverage, so individuals without insurance would not be able to access the necessary healthcare services.

Question 9

Which of the following statements is NOT true?

Accepted Answer

The statement that the Roe v. Wade decision forbids states from regulating abortions at any stage in pregnancy is not true. The decision allows states to regulate abortions after viability (around 24 weeks gestation) as long as they make exceptions for the life and health of the mother.

Question 10

The systematic abortion and infanticide of girls has become a national horror and disgrace for which country?

Accepted Answer

The systematic abortion and infanticide of girls is a major issue in China, where a traditional preference for male children has led to a significant gender imbalance in the population. The Chinese government has taken measures to address the issue, including imposing penalties for doctors who perform gender-selective abortions, but the problem persists in many parts of the country.

Question 11

One can assume that the covenant represented in the Hippocratic Oath represents the core belief system for physicians today.

Accepted Answer

The Hippocratic Oath, while foundational and influential in the medical profession, has evolved over time, and modern medical ethics encompass a broader range of principles and values not fully covered by the original oath.

Question 12

The Declaration of Geneva is the modern term for the ancient Hippocratic Oath.

Accepted Answer

The Declaration of Geneva was created in 1948 by the World Medical Association as an updated version of the Hippocratic Oath to reflect modern medical ethics. However, the Hippocratic Oath still exists and is sometimes taken by new medical professionals.

Question 13

A literal translation of the term euthanasia would be "happy death."

Accepted Answer

"Eu" means good or well, and "thanatos" means death in Greek, so a literal translation of euthanasia would be "good death" or "well-death." However, over time, the meaning of euthanasia has evolved to refer specifically to the act of intentionally ending a person's life to relieve their suffering from a terminal illness or extreme physical or mental pain, which some people argue can lead to a "happy death."

Question 14

Generally speaking, active euthanasia is more easily tolerated in the U.S. than passive euthanasia.

Accepted Answer

Passive euthanasia, such as removing life support, is more commonly accepted in the U.S. than active euthanasia, which involves actively causing death. However, opinions on euthanasia vary greatly and there is no clear consensus in the U.S. or worldwide.

Question 15

The terms eugenics and euthanasia mean the same thing.

Accepted Answer

Eugenics refers to the practices aimed at improving the genetic quality of a population, including selective breeding and genetic engineering, while euthanasia refers to the act of intentionally ending someone's life to relieve their suffering. The two terms have different meanings and do not mean the same thing.

Question 16

The practice of forced sterilization of Native American women occurred in Canada and the U.S. a few decades ago.

Accepted Answer

Forced sterilization of Native American women was a practice that occurred in Canada and the U.S. in the mid-20th century. Indigenous women were often forcibly sterilized without their knowledge or consent, as part of a eugenics movement aimed at reducing the number of Native American births. This practice continued until the 1970s in both countries.

Question 17

The American College of Physicians supports assisted death when it is the patient's choice.

Accepted Answer

The American College of Physicians opposes the practice of assisted suicide, emphasizing professional ethics and the importance of preserving life and preventing harm.

Question 18

There was a tendency to speak about Karen Ann Quinlan as if she were already dead when the EEG tracings still showed weak electrical activity in the brain.

Accepted Answer

This is true. Despite her EEG showing weak electrical activity, there was a belief that Karen Ann Quinlan's condition was irreversible and that she was in a persistent vegetative state, leading to discussions about end-of-life decisions.

Question 19

The case of "It's over, Debbie" is an example of the slippery slope argument.

Accepted Answer

The slippery slope argument suggests that one event will lead to a chain reaction of events with negative consequences, and the phrase "It's over, Debbie" implies a finality and escalation of a situation, which can be seen as a slippery slope.

Question 20

Of the 93 cases of assisted suicide with Dr. Kevorkian, 82 percent of the clients were terminally ill.

Accepted Answer

Dr. Jack Kevorkian was known for assisting in the suicides of individuals, but not all of his clients were terminally ill. Some had chronic conditions or disabilities, and the percentage of terminally ill clients was less than 82 percent.

Quiz 9: Euthanasia, Assisted Death, Abortion, and the Right to Die