Bioethics: Ethical Issues in Medicine and Healthcare

Question 1

Which ethical principle is NOT fundamental to healthcare decision-making?

Accepted Answer

Paternalism (Deciding for patients without consent)

Answer

Autonomy (Respecting patient choices)

Answer

Beneficence (Doing good)

Answer

Justice (Fair healthcare distribution)

Question 2

In end-of-life care, which ethical principle holds the highest priority?

Accepted Answer

Respect for patient autonomy

Answer

Providing benefit to the patient

Answer

Avoiding harm to the patient

Answer

Fair distribution of healthcare resources

Question 3

Compare and contrast euthanasia and assisted suicide, discussing the ethical considerations specific to each practice.

Accepted Answer

In euthanasia, a doctor directly ends a patient's life, while in assisted suicide, the patient takes a lethal substance provided by a medical professional.

Accepted Answer

Euthanasia and assisted suicide raise similar ethical concerns, such as patient autonomy, the value of life, and the role of physicians.

Answer

Euthanasia is generally considered more ethical than assisted suicide because it involves a medical professional.

Answer

Both euthanasia and assisted suicide are illegal in most countries.

Question 4

Euthanasia, the practice of intentionally ending a patient's life to relieve suffering, raises ethical concerns about:

Accepted Answer

All of the above are ethical concerns raised by euthanasia.

Answer

The patient's right to self-determination and end their own suffering.

Answer

The sanctity of life and the value of preserving it.

Answer

The role of medical professionals in hastening death.

Question 5

The principle of non-maleficence requires healthcare professionals to:

Accepted Answer

Do no harm to patients and avoid causing harm through their actions.

Answer

Provide the highest level of care possible and always pursue the best outcomes.

Answer

Respect patient autonomy and allow patients to make their own decisions about their healthcare.

Answer

Ensure justice and fairness in healthcare and allocate resources equitably.

Question 6

Which ethical framework emphasizes the importance of duty, obligation, and following moral rules?

Accepted Answer

Deontology: Focuses on the inherent rightness or wrongness of actions based on moral rules and duties.

Answer

Teleology: Focuses on the consequences of actions and aims to maximize overall good.

Answer

Virtue ethics: Focuses on developing virtuous character traits and acting in accordance with those virtues.

Answer

Utilitarianism: Focuses on maximizing utility and promoting the greatest happiness for the greatest number.

Question 7

The concept of moral relativism suggests that:

Accepted Answer

Ethical values vary across cultures and individuals, and there is no objective right or wrong.

Answer

Ethical values are absolute and unchanging across all cultures and individuals.

Answer

Moral standards are determined by societal consensus and change over time.

Answer

There is no rational basis for ethical decision-making.

Question 8

Which of the following principles respects an individual's right to make decisions about their own body and medical care?

Accepted Answer

Autonomy

Answer

Beneficence

Answer

Non-maleficence

Answer

Justice

Question 9

Which action refers to intentionally ending the life of a patient with a terminal illness?

Accepted Answer

Euthanasia

Answer

Withdrawing life-sustaining treatment from a patient in a persistent vegetative state

Answer

Providing palliative care to alleviate suffering at the end of life

Answer

Performing surgery to enhance a patient's quality of life

Question 10

Which of the following is NOT a fundamental ethical principle that guides decision-making in healthcare?

Accepted Answer

Paternalism

Answer

Autonomy

Answer

Beneficence

Answer

Justice

Question 11

Euthanasia is defined as the practice of:

Accepted Answer

Intentionally ending a patient's life at their explicit and informed request to relieve unbearable suffering.

Answer

Allowing a terminally ill patient to die naturally without medical intervention.

Answer

Treating a patient with a life-limiting illness to alleviate their symptoms.

Answer

Performing any type of surgical procedure on a patient.

Question 12

The Belmont Report, a foundational document in bioethics, established ethical principles for:

Accepted Answer

Research involving human subjects, ensuring their protection and respecting their rights.

Answer

Genetic testing procedures, guiding responsible and informed decision-making.

Answer

Organ transplantation practices, promoting equitable access and ethical allocation.

Answer

End-of-life care decisions, providing guidance on patient autonomy and treatment limitations.

Question 13

Advance directives, such as living wills and healthcare proxies, are valuable in healthcare because they:

Accepted Answer

Legally document a patient's preferences regarding future medical care, ensuring their wishes are honored.

Answer

Assist in reducing healthcare costs by minimizing unnecessary interventions.

Answer

Eliminate the need for ongoing communication between patients and healthcare providers.

Answer

Guarantee that patients will receive the best possible medical care, regardless of their stated preferences.

Question 14

When making ethical decisions in healthcare, it is generally considered inappropriate to prioritize:

Accepted Answer

Personal religious or moral convictions.

Answer

The patient's preferences and values.

Answer

Evidence-based medical knowledge and research.

Answer

Cultural beliefs and societal norms.

Question 15

The ethical principle of beneficence in healthcare requires healthcare professionals to:

Accepted Answer

Act in a manner that promotes the patient's best interests and well-being.

Answer

Avoid causing harm to the patient, even if it means withholding beneficial treatments.

Answer

Respect the patient's autonomy and decision-making abilities.

Answer

Ensure equitable distribution of healthcare resources among all patients.

Question 16

A young woman with a terminal illness requests euthanasia to end her suffering. Based on ethical principles, should her request be granted?

Accepted Answer

Yes, respecting her autonomy and alleviating her suffering align with ethical principles.

Answer

No, the sanctity of life prohibits euthanasia in all cases.

Answer

Yes, but only with the consent of her family.

Answer

No, legalizing euthanasia could lead to its misuse for less justifiable reasons.

Question 17

Which ethical principle prioritizes preventing harm to patients above all else?

Accepted Answer

Non-maleficence

Answer

Beneficence

Answer

Justice

Answer

Respect for autonomy

Question 18

Which ethical principle places the utmost importance on an individual's right to make decisions regarding their own healthcare?

Accepted Answer

Autonomy

Answer

Beneficence

Answer

Non-maleficence

Answer

Justice

Question 19

The practice of intentionally ending a patient's life to alleviate their suffering is known as:

Accepted Answer

Euthanasia

Answer

Assisted suicide

Answer

Palliative care

Answer

Hospice care

Question 20

The term used to describe the alteration of an organism's genetic material to change its characteristics is:

Accepted Answer

Genetic engineering

Answer

Gene therapy

Answer

Genetic testing

Answer

Genetic counseling

Question 21

The ethical theory that emphasizes the greatest possible good for the greatest number of people is known as:

Accepted Answer

Utilitarianism

Answer

Deontology

Answer

Virtue ethics

Answer

Kantian ethics

Question 22

A characteristic of deontological ethics is its emphasis on:

Accepted Answer

Duties and obligations

Answer

Consequences of actions

Answer

Weighing of competing interests

Answer

Subjective and personal values

Question 23

The ethical principle that requires healthcare professionals to act in the patient's best interests is referred to as:

Accepted Answer

Beneficence

Answer

Autonomy

Answer

Non-maleficence

Answer

Veracity

Question 24

An ethical dilemma that arises in the context of healthcare resource allocation may involve:

Accepted Answer

Ensuring fair distribution of limited resources

Answer

Prioritizing patients based on their ability to pay

Answer

Favoring specific groups of patients

Answer

Restricting access to experimental treatments

Question 25

The ethical obligation to provide complete and accurate information to patients and involve them in decision-making is referred to as:

Accepted Answer

Veracity

Answer

Autonomy

Answer

Beneficence

Answer

Non-maleficence

Question 26

How do ethics committees contribute to ethical decision-making in healthcare?

Accepted Answer

They guide healthcare professionals in navigating ethical challenges.

Answer

They consist mainly of medical professionals who make decisions for patients.

Answer

Their recommendations are legally binding.

Answer

They only address end-of-life care issues.

Question 27

In healthcare resource allocation, which ethical principle prioritizes individuals with a higher likelihood of survival?

Accepted Answer

Maximize Benefit (Utility)

Answer

Fairness (Equity)

Answer

Individual Choice (Autonomy)

Question 28

Which ethical principle emphasizes the patient's right to make their own healthcare decisions?

Accepted Answer

Autonomy

Answer

Non-maleficence

Answer

Beneficence

Answer

Justice

Question 29

In the context of end-of-life care, what is the term for the intentional act of ending a person's life to alleviate their suffering?

Accepted Answer

Euthanasia

Answer

Palliative care

Answer

Hospice care

Answer

Assisted suicide

Question 30

Which ethical theory prioritizes duties and obligations over personal desires and consequences?

Accepted Answer

Deontology

Answer

Utilitarianism

Answer

Virtue ethics

Answer

Egoism

Question 31

What is the principle of beneficence in healthcare ethics?

Accepted Answer

Promoting good

Answer

Avoiding harm

Answer

Respecting patient autonomy

Answer

Ensuring justice

Question 32

Which ethical theory is based on the concept of maximizing overall well-being or happiness?

Accepted Answer

Utilitarianism

Answer

Deontology

Answer

Virtue ethics

Answer

Egoism

Question 33

Which ethical principle requires fair distribution of benefits and burdens in healthcare?

Accepted Answer

Justice

Answer

Non-maleficence

Answer

Beneficence

Answer

Autonomy

Question 34

Analyze the ethical principles of autonomy and beneficence. Discuss potential conflicts between these principles and their implications for healthcare decision-making.

Accepted Answer

Conflicts between autonomy and beneficence require careful consideration of the patient's values, circumstances, and healthcare goals.

Answer

Autonomy and beneficence always align, ensuring the best outcome for the patient.

Answer

Autonomy should always prioritize beneficence, respecting the patient's right to make decisions.

Answer

Beneficence should always prevail over autonomy, as healthcare professionals are ethically obligated to act in the patient's best interests.

Question 35

The principle of patient autonomy emphasizes the:

Accepted Answer

Patient's right to make informed decisions about their healthcare

Answer

Doctor's duty to act in the patient's best interests

Answer

Need for consent before medical procedures

Answer

Importance of respecting the patient's cultural and religious beliefs

Question 36

The ethical principle of non-malfeasance requires healthcare professionals to:

Accepted Answer

Do no harm to the patient

Answer

Act in the patient's best interests

Answer

Obtain informed consent before procedures

Answer

Respect the patient's cultural and religious beliefs

Question 37

In medical procedures, which of the following is crucial for informed consent?

Accepted Answer

Giving clear details about the procedure, its risks, benefits, and other options

Answer

Getting the patient to sign a consent form

Answer

Getting permission from the patient's legal guardian

Question 38

What is a key limitation of relying solely on ethical guidelines when making healthcare decisions?

Accepted Answer

Ethical guidelines may not fully capture the complexities of individual cases.

Answer

Ethical guidelines make professional judgment unnecessary.

Answer

Ethical guidelines apply equally in all healthcare settings and cultures.

Answer

Ethical guidelines ensure morally correct decisions in all healthcare situations.

Question 39

How do cultural and religious beliefs impact ethical decision-making in healthcare, and what considerations are crucial for respecting patient autonomy?

Accepted Answer

Cultural and religious beliefs can offer valuable perspectives, but they should not override patient autonomy and informed consent.

Answer

Cultural and religious beliefs have no bearing on ethical choices in healthcare.

Answer

Cultural and religious beliefs should always dictate ethical choices in healthcare, even if they conflict with patient autonomy.

Answer

Cultural and religious beliefs are irrelevant to ethical decision-making in healthcare.

Question 40

Which of the following ethical issues commonly arises in end-of-life healthcare?

Accepted Answer

Euthanasia involves intentionally ending a patient's life to alleviate suffering.

Answer

Genetic engineering involves altering an organism's genetic makeup.

Answer

Abortion refers to the termination of a pregnancy.

Question 41

Which of the following benefits can be attributed to ethical decision-making in healthcare?

Accepted Answer

Fostering trust between healthcare providers and patients.

Answer

Guaranteeing favorable outcomes for all patients.

Answer

Substantially reducing healthcare expenses.

Question 42

Which of the following is a primary function of a bioethics committee?

Accepted Answer

Providing guidance on ethical issues that arise in healthcare.

Answer

Enforcing ethical standards across healthcare institutions.

Answer

Investigating and resolving ethical violations.

Answer

Disciplining healthcare professionals who breach ethical guidelines.

Question 43

Which of the following is a central tenet of the ethical theory known as utilitarianism?

Accepted Answer

The ethically sound action is the one that produces the greatest benefit for the majority.

Answer

Ethical actions must adhere strictly to religious doctrines.

Answer

Ethical actions align with the principles of natural law.

Question 44

Which of the following factors poses a challenge when teaching bioethics to young learners?

Accepted Answer

Adolescents may have limited life experiences and less developed abstract reasoning abilities.

Answer

Adolescents generally lack interest in ethical issues.

Answer

Adolescents have a comprehensive understanding of the legal aspects of bioethics.

Question 45

What is the ethical issue surrounding the intentional ending of a person's life?

Accepted Answer

Euthanasia

Answer

Xenotransplantation

Answer

Genetic engineering

Answer

Abortion

Question 46

Which of the following is a major ethical concern related to genetic engineering?

Accepted Answer

Potential risks and societal implications

Answer

Privacy and confidentiality

Answer

Cost and availability

Answer

Religious and cultural beliefs

Question 47

The Belmont Report provides ethical guidelines for:

Accepted Answer

Research involving human subjects

Answer

Clinical practice

Answer

Animal welfare

Answer

Environmental protection

Question 48

What is a key benefit of informed consent in healthcare?

Accepted Answer

Protecting patient autonomy and building trust

Answer

Reduces legal liability

Answer

Increases treatment effectiveness

Answer

Eliminates potential risks

Question 49

The ethical principle of non-maleficence means:

Accepted Answer

Avoiding causing harm

Answer

Promoting justice

Answer

Maximizing benefits

Answer

Respecting patient autonomy

Question 50

The "double effect" principle in bioethics describes a situation where:

Accepted Answer

A good outcome is intended, even if a harmful side effect is unavoidable

Answer

Personal values are prioritized over ethical principles

Answer

The potential benefits and risks of an action are carefully weighed

Answer

The least harmful option is always chosen