Question 1

When attempting to determine if someone is "brain dead," what would a physician be unlikely to ask?

Accepted Answer

Blood pressure maintenance is not directly related to brain death determination. Brain death assessments focus on brain function, including responses to stimuli and pupil reactivity, rather than systemic functions like blood pressure maintenance.

Question 2

How would most people describe euthanasia?

Accepted Answer

Euthanasia is generally considered a bioethical issue as it raises questions about the moral and ethical codes surrounding end-of-life decision making, the value of human life, and the role of healthcare professionals in facilitating death. It is often debated in medical and moral discussions, making it a topic of bioethical concern.

Question 3

Dr. Axle teaches bioethics. What lecture title would be most representative of his field?

Accepted Answer

Bioethics is the study of ethical issues arising from advances in biology and medicine. Mercy killing or euthanasia is a controversial topic in bioethics as it clashes with ethical principles such as autonomy and non-maleficence. Therefore, the lecture title "Mercy Killing: Legal or Illegal?" is most representative of the field.

Question 4

After an accident, Steve's heart is not beating and he has stopped breathing. How can we describe Steve?

Accepted Answer

Steve's heart is not beating and he has stopped breathing, which means he has no circulation or oxygen to his brain or other vital organs. This is clinical death.

Question 5

According to Kalish (1987) and Kastenbaum (1985), how many ways can one view death?

Accepted Answer

The answer of According to Kalish (1987) and Kastenbaum (1985),...

Question 6

What is the name for the study of death, dying, grief, bereavement, and social attitudes toward these issues?

Accepted Answer

Thanatology is the scientific study of death, dying, grief, bereavement, and social attitudes toward these issues. Choice A (transcendence) refers to the state of going beyond limits and boundaries. Choice B (terminus) refers to the end or limit of something. Choice D (theology) refers to the study of religious beliefs and practices.

Question 7

Your Melanesian friend calls you "mate." What does this term mean?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Your Melanesian friend calls you "mate." What...

Question 8

Lack of blinking in response to touching the cornea is one of the criteria used to determine which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Lack of blinking in response to touching the cornea is one of the signs used to determine if a person is brain dead. This is because it indicates that there is no functioning of the cranial nerves that control the blinking reflex. Clinical death and vegetative state may involve reduced brain activity, but blinking in response to corneal touch would still be present. Sensory adaptation is a different phenomenon that refers to reduced sensitivity to a constant stimuli over time.

Question 9

How does one identify a person who is in a persistent vegetative state?

Accepted Answer

A person in a persistent vegetative state is not clinically or brain dead; instead, they retain some autonomic functions like heartbeat without assistance, but lack cognitive functions and awareness.

Question 10

After Jane's accident, Dr. Coulter told her family that she is in a persistent vegetative state. What does that mean?

Accepted Answer

A persistent vegetative state means that a person's brainstem is still functioning, but their cortical functioning has stopped. This means that while they may have some reflexive movements or responses, they are unable to exhibit any meaningful or purposeful behavior.

Question 11

Susan's cortical functioning has ceased, but her brainstem is still active. How would we best describe Susan?

Accepted Answer

Susan is in a persistent vegetative state, which means that although she has lost all cortical functioning, her brainstem remains active, allowing her to perform basic bodily functions like breathing and digesting food.

Question 12

Dr. Wei will be teaching a course completely devoted to the topic of mercy killing. What title would best describe the content of the course?

Accepted Answer

"Euthanasia" specifically refers to the act of intentionally causing someone's death in order to end their suffering, which is the focus of the course. The other options refer to narrower topics within the broader subject of mercy killing.

Question 13

In general, how does one define death?

Accepted Answer

The definition of death varies within and between cultures due to differences in beliefs, values, and traditions. For example, some cultures consider death to occur when the heart stops beating, while others believe brain death is the true marker of death. Therefore, there is no universal definition of death.

Question 14

Which of the following is a death ritual performed by Orthodox Jews when a close relative dies?

Accepted Answer

Orthodox Jews cover all the mirrors in the house as a symbol of mourning and to allow relatives to focus on their grief rather than their appearance.

Question 15

Dr. Steinmetz decides to follow the wishes of her patient and withhold treatment for the patient's terminal cancer, thus allowing the patient to die. What does this case exemplify?

Accepted Answer

Withholding treatment in this case is an example of passive euthanasia, where medical intervention is not taken to prolong the life of a terminally ill patient.

Question 16

In what culture does a person "die" several times before actually experiencing death?

Accepted Answer

In some South Pacific cultures, the concept of multiple "deaths" or significant life transitions before physical death is recognized. These can include major life events such as loss of youth, loss of elders, or significant changes in social status or roles, which are metaphorically considered as forms of "death." This perspective emphasizes the transformative nature of life and the multiple identities or stages one goes through.

Question 17

What does the meaning of death signify?

Accepted Answer

The meaning of death depends on one's perspective and the biological and medical criteria used. While cultural and individual experiences may influence one's understanding of death, it is ultimately defined by these criteria. The Parliament of Canada Standing Committee of Health may establish guidelines for determining death, but these guidelines are still based on biological and medical factors.

Question 18

Dr. Kelly has just purposely killed a patient by injecting her with a lethal amount of medication. This patient had an incurable illness and requested to die, rather than go through a long painful treatment. What does this case exemplify?

Accepted Answer

This case exemplifies active euthanasia, as Dr. Kelly intentionally administered a lethal amount of medication to end the patient's life in response to the patient's request to die rather than undergo a painful treatment.

Question 19

Which of the following is an example of death as an image?

Accepted Answer

A flag at half-staff is an example of death as an image because it is a symbolic representation used to signify mourning and honor the deceased, rather than a direct depiction or event related to death itself.

Question 20

Carol's doctor has determined that she has stage 4 ovarian cancer (the final stage), and for Carol to keep taking strong medications, it would only prolong her life, not improve or cure her disease. What type of science studies such difficult issues such as the one Carol faces with regard to her course of action?

Accepted Answer

Bioethics is the study of ethical and moral issues surrounding healthcare and medical treatments. This includes difficult decisions like those faced by Carol in regards to end-of-life care and the use of strong medications with limited effectiveness. Oncology is the study and treatment of cancer, but it does not specifically focus on ethical decision-making. Moral philosophy and ethics are related fields but are broader in scope and may not necessarily focus on medical ethics specifically.

Quiz 17: The Final Passage