Question 1

Which of the following is true about passive euthanasia?

Accepted Answer

Passive euthanasia involves withholding or withdrawing treatments that might extend the life of a patient, allowing them to die naturally. It is widely practiced in many parts of the world, often within legal and ethical guidelines, and is not considered the same as taking deliberate actions to induce death.

Question 2

The doctor clearly engaged in active euthanasia when she

Accepted Answer

Active euthanasia involves taking specific steps to cause a patient's death, such as injecting a lethal dose of a drug. Choices A, B, and D describe actions that are either part of palliative care, decisions against extraordinary measures, or withdrawing life support, none of which are considered active euthanasia.

Question 3

Active euthanasia is legal in

Accepted Answer

Active euthanasia is legal in Belgium and Holland, where it is regulated under specific conditions. In contrast, the United States generally prohibits active euthanasia, allowing only passive forms of euthanasia under certain circumstances.

Question 4

Active euthanasia was legalized in the Netherlands in 2002. What percentage of all deaths in the Netherlands is due to active euthanasia?

Accepted Answer

Active euthanasia accounts for about 3% of all deaths in the Netherlands.

Question 5

In order for Jocelyn, a terminally ill patient in the Netherlands, to become eligible for active euthanasia, she needs to

Accepted Answer

In the Netherlands, for a patient to be eligible for active euthanasia, it is required that the patient's request is voluntary and well-considered, made multiple times, and that a second doctor confirms the patient is suffering unbearably with no prospect of improvement.

Question 6

The "slippery slope" of active euthanasia might involve hastening the death of a

Accepted Answer

The "slippery slope" argument suggests that allowing active euthanasia in certain cases might lead to its application in inappropriate situations, such as with individuals who cannot fully consent or understand the decision, like a mentally retarded individual.

Question 7

In Holland, where active euthanasia was legalized in 2002, researchers have found that

Accepted Answer

In Holland, euthanasia is indeed used mainly as a last resort, following strict guidelines that prioritize the patient's consent and the consideration of alternative treatments. The practice is regulated to ensure it is a final option when no other methods can alleviate the patient's suffering.

Question 8

Physician-assisted dying differs from active euthanasia in that

Accepted Answer

Physician-assisted dying involves the physician providing the means for death, typically medication, which the patient then self-administers. This is distinct from active euthanasia, where the physician directly administers the lethal substance.

Question 9

The main difference between typical patients who apply for physician-assisted dying and healthy individuals of the same age who commit suicide is that the patients who apply for physician-assisted dying

Accepted Answer

Patients who apply for physician-assisted dying often do so because their medical conditions are incurable and they are suffering, not because they want to die but because they cannot achieve a quality of life they find acceptable. They would prefer to live if their conditions could be effectively treated.

Question 10

Physician-assisted dying is legal in Oregon and which other state?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Physician-assisted dying is legal in Oregon and...

Question 11

In Oregon, physician-assisted dying became legal in ____, whereas in Washington it became legal in____ 	.

Accepted Answer

In Oregon, physician-assisted dying became legal in 1997, following the passage of the Death with Dignity Act in 1994, which officially went into effect in 1997. In Washington, it became legal in 2008 after the passage of a similar law. The correct answer reflects the years these laws effectively allowed physician-assisted dying, despite the slight discrepancy in the provided options.

Question 12

In 2008, the state of Washington passed a Death with Dignity Act. It provides for

Accepted Answer

The Death with Dignity Act in Washington allows for physician-assisted dying, specifically for terminally ill patients who meet certain criteria, not the other options listed.

Question 13

Which of the following patients might qualify for physician-assisted dying in Oregon?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following patients might qualify...

Question 14

In order to qualify for physician-assisted dying in Oregon, a person must have fewer than how many months to live?

Accepted Answer

In Oregon, to qualify for physician-assisted dying under the Death with Dignity Act, a person must be diagnosed with a terminal illness that will lead to death within six months.

Question 15

After finding out that she was terminally ill with cancer, Donna, who lives in Oregon, wanted to apply for physician-assisted dying. In order to qualify, she would need to make

Accepted Answer

In Oregon, under the Death with Dignity Act, an individual seeking physician-assisted dying must make two oral requests to their physician, separated by at least 15 days. Additionally, one of these requests must be witnessed by two other individuals, ensuring that there is a clear and documented desire for physician-assisted dying. This process is designed to prevent coercion and ensure that the patient's request is voluntary and well-considered.

Question 16

To qualify for physician-assisted dying in the State of Oregon, a person would have to make two requests to a doctor at least how many days apart?

Accepted Answer

The answer of To qualify for physician-assisted dying in the...

Question 17

Peter, who is terminally ill and lives in Oregon, has just asked his doctor for the second time, in front of witnesses, to help him die. The correct response on the part of his doctor, according to Oregon's Death with Dignity Act, is

Accepted Answer

Oregon's Death with Dignity Act requires that physicians ensure patients are informed about all their end-of-life care options, including palliative care, hospice, and pain management alternatives, before proceeding with aid in dying.

Question 18

In the first 17 years after Oregon made physician-assisted dying legal, how many terminally ill people have taken advantage of the law to commit suicide?

Accepted Answer

The answer of In the first 17 years after Oregon...

Question 19

In Oregon, physicians approve about what percentage of the requests for physician-assisted dying?

Accepted Answer

The answer of In Oregon, physicians approve about what percentage...

Question 20

Dr. Paul, a physician who practices in Oregon, has approved 10 requests for physician-assisted dying this year. If he is typical, how many of his patients changed their minds and decided they did not want him to help them die?

Accepted Answer

Studies and reports from Oregon, where physician-assisted dying is legal, indicate that approximately half of the patients who request assistance in dying ultimately do not proceed with the process. This suggests that if Dr. Paul approved 10 requests, about 5 of those patients might change their minds.

Quiz 16: Death and Dying