Healthcare Ethics and Law: Legal and Ethical Principles in Healthcare Decision-Making

Question 1

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

Accepted Answer

Autonomy

Answer

Beneficence

Answer

Non-maleficence

Answer

Justice

Question 2

The ethical principle that underpins the right of patients to decline medical treatment is:

Accepted Answer

Autonomy

Answer

Paternalism

Answer

Beneficence

Answer

Non-maleficence

Question 3

End-of-life decision-making should primarily be based on:

Accepted Answer

The patient's wishes and values

Answer

The healthcare provider's recommendations

Answer

The family's beliefs and preferences

Answer

Societal norms and expectations

Question 4

Which ethical principle upholds the right of individuals to make their own healthcare decisions?

Accepted Answer

Patient autonomy

Answer

Beneficence

Answer

Non-maleficence

Answer

Confidentiality

Question 5

What is the primary function of ethics committees in healthcare organizations, especially when faced with complex ethical dilemmas?

Accepted Answer

Facilitate discussions and offer guidance on complex ethical dilemmas, assisting healthcare professionals in ethical decision-making

Answer

Provide legal advice and binding directives to healthcare professionals on ethical matters

Answer

Approve all healthcare decisions made by healthcare providers within the hospital

Answer

Provide guidance solely in end-of-life care scenarios

Question 6

Which of the following is an exception to the duty of confidentiality that allows healthcare professionals to disclose patient information without the patient's consent?

Accepted Answer

To prevent serious harm

Answer

To conduct research

Answer

To the patient's family

Answer

To bill for services

Question 7

Which ethical principle mandates healthcare professionals to secure the patient's consent prior to executing a medical procedure?

Accepted Answer

Autonomy

Answer

Beneficence

Answer

Non-maleficence

Answer

Justice

Question 8

The legal obligation that mandates healthcare professionals to safeguard the privacy of patient information is referred to as:

Accepted Answer

Confidentiality

Answer

Informed consent

Answer

Patient autonomy

Answer

Duty of care

Question 9

The process of determining whether a patient possesses the legal capacity to make healthcare choices is known as:

Accepted Answer

Competency assessment

Answer

Informed consent

Answer

Patient autonomy

Answer

End-of-life planning

Question 10

Which ethical principle requires healthcare practitioners to treat patients with fairness and equality?

Accepted Answer

Justice

Answer

Autonomy

Answer

Beneficence

Answer

Non-maleficence

Question 11

The legal doctrine that shields healthcare professionals from liability for actions taken in good faith is known as:

Accepted Answer

Good Samaritan law

Answer

Informed consent

Answer

Negligence

Answer

Malpractice

Question 12

The principle of non-maleficence obligates healthcare practitioners to:

Accepted Answer

Avoid causing harm

Answer

Maximize benefits to patients

Answer

Respect patients' autonomy

Answer

Distribute healthcare resources equitably

Question 13

Which legal duty requires healthcare providers to protect the interests of vulnerable patients?

Accepted Answer

Fiduciary Duty

Answer

Duty of Care

Answer

Duty to Warn

Question 14

Which of the following core ethical principles in healthcare decision-making emphasizes respect for patient autonomy?

Accepted Answer

Autonomy

Answer

Beneficence

Answer

Justice

Answer

Non-maleficence

Question 15

The legal doctrine that obligates healthcare professionals to seek a patient's consent before initiating treatment is known as:

Accepted Answer

Informed consent

Answer

Standard of care

Answer

Duty of care

Answer

Battery

Question 16

The ethical principle of confidentiality in healthcare serves to primarily protect:

Accepted Answer

The patient's privacy

Answer

The hospital's reputation

Answer

The public's health

Answer

The healthcare professional's financial interests

Question 17

In healthcare, the legal standard used to determine negligence is:

Accepted Answer

The objective reasonable person standard

Answer

The subjective professional standard

Answer

The community standard

Answer

The expert standard

Question 18

Which of the following is a fundamental principle of informed consent?

Accepted Answer

Consent must be based on full disclosure of risks and benefits.

Answer

Consent can be legally valid without understanding the proposed treatment.

Answer

Consent must be coerced.

Question 19

What is the legal duty of confidentiality in the healthcare setting?

Accepted Answer

To protect a patient's personal and medical information from unauthorized disclosure unless required by law or compelling circumstances.

Answer

To report any suspected cases of child or elder abuse

Answer

To provide patients with all their medical records upon request

Question 20

What is the primary ethical principle that guides end-of-life care decisions?

Accepted Answer

Respect for patient autonomy

Answer

Non-maleficence

Answer

Justice

Answer

Beneficence

Question 21

Which of the following is a legal liability that can arise from a healthcare provider's failure to obtain valid consent for treatment?

Accepted Answer

Battery

Answer

Negligence

Answer

Defamation

Answer

Fraud

Question 22

What is the purpose of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)?

Accepted Answer

To protect the privacy and security of individually identifiable health information handled by covered entities.

Answer

To provide healthcare coverage to all Americans

Answer

To regulate the prescription of controlled substances

Question 23

Which of the following ethical principles requires healthcare providers to act in a way that benefits their patients?

Accepted Answer

Beneficence

Answer

Non-maleficence

Answer

Autonomy

Answer

Justice

Question 24

What is the legal doctrine that protects healthcare providers from liability for injuries resulting from acts or omissions that conform to recognized standards of practice?

Accepted Answer

Standard of care

Answer

Informed consent

Answer

Good Samaritan doctrine

Answer

Statute of limitations

Question 25

Which of the following is a key element of patient autonomy in healthcare decision-making?

Accepted Answer

The right to refuse treatment

Answer

The right to be fully informed about all treatment options only if requested by the patient

Answer

The right to demand any treatment

Answer

The right to privacy only in matters of sexual or reproductive health

Question 26

What is the purpose of an advance directive in healthcare?

Accepted Answer

To provide instructions for end-of-life care and appoint a healthcare agent to make decisions on the patient's behalf in the event of their incapacity.

Answer

To automatically prolong life-sustaining treatment indefinitely

Answer

To waive the duty of confidentiality for the patient's medical records

Question 27

Which of the following is not a fundamental ethical principle guiding healthcare decision-making?

Accepted Answer

Equity

Answer

Non-maleficence

Answer

Beneficence

Answer

Autonomy

Question 28

Under the doctrine of informed consent, patients must be provided with all of the following except:

Accepted Answer

A guarantee of positive outcomes

Answer

Prognosis without treatment

Answer

Alternatives to the proposed treatment

Answer

Risks and benefits of the proposed treatment

Question 29

Which federal law protects patient health information from unauthorized disclosure?

Accepted Answer

HIPAA

Answer

FMLA

Answer

FERPA

Answer

ADA

Question 30

What is the legal standard for determining whether to withhold or withdraw life-sustaining treatment?

Accepted Answer

Patient's wishes or best interests

Answer

Family's consent

Answer

Physician's discretion

Answer

Financial considerations

Question 31

Which ethical theory places utmost importance on respecting patient autonomy and maximizing patient choice?

Accepted Answer

Patient-centered ethics

Answer

Utilitarianism

Answer

Deontology

Question 32

What is the legal doctrine that holds healthcare professionals accountable for negligence in providing care?

Accepted Answer

Medical Malpractice

Answer

Battery

Answer

Fraud

Answer

Assault

Question 33

What is the fundamental objective of healthcare ethics?

Accepted Answer

To provide guidance to healthcare professionals in making decisions that respect patient values and promote their well-being

Answer

To establish universal rules that apply to all healthcare situations

Question 34

What is the significance of cultural competence in ethical healthcare decision-making?

Accepted Answer

To ensure that healthcare professionals understand and respect the cultural values and beliefs of patients

Answer

To impose Western medical values on all patients

Question 35

Which of the following is a fundamental ethical principle that underlies healthcare decision-making and emphasizes respect for an individual's right to make autonomous choices about their own medical treatment?

Accepted Answer

Autonomy

Answer

Justice

Answer

Beneficence

Answer

Non-maleficence

Question 36

Informed consent in healthcare requires:

Accepted Answer

Disclosure of material information to the patient, comprehension of the information by the patient, and voluntary agreement by the patient.

Answer

Physician recommendation.

Answer

Patient signature on a standardized form.

Question 37

Which of the following is NOT an exception to the rule of confidentiality that permits healthcare professionals to disclose patient information without their consent?

Accepted Answer

To obtain third-party payment for medical services rendered to the patient.

Answer

In response to a valid court order.

Answer

To prevent imminent harm to the patient or others.

Question 38

The legal doctrine that allows healthcare professionals to refuse to participate in procedures that violate their moral or religious beliefs is known as:

Accepted Answer

Conscientious objection.

Answer

Qualified immunity.

Answer

Malpractice.

Answer

Duty of care.

Question 39

Which of the following is a key ethical principle that should guide end-of-life care?

Accepted Answer

Respect for the patient's autonomy and their wishes regarding their medical treatment.

Answer

Aggressive treatment.

Answer

Prolongation of life at all costs.

Answer

Focus on cure.

Question 40

False or misleading advertising by healthcare providers may violate which ethical principle?

Accepted Answer

Veracity

Answer

Autonomy.

Answer

Beneficence.

Question 41

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) prohibits discrimination in healthcare on the basis of:

Accepted Answer

Sex, race, color, national origin, disability, and age.

Answer

Political affiliation.

Answer

Income.

Question 42

Which of the following is a potential ethical concern associated with genetic testing?

Accepted Answer

Disclosure of sensitive genetic information to family members without their consent.

Answer

Cost of genetic testing.

Answer

Accuracy of genetic test results.

Question 43

What is the primary purpose of government regulatory agencies in the healthcare industry?

Accepted Answer

To protect the public health and safety by regulating healthcare providers and ensuring the quality of healthcare services.

Answer

To promote competition in healthcare markets.

Answer

To reduce healthcare costs.

Answer

To increase access to affordable healthcare.

Question 44

What legal concept prohibits healthcare professionals from sharing patient information without their permission?

Accepted Answer

Breach of confidentiality.

Answer

Malpractice.

Answer

Assault.

Answer

Negligence.

Question 45

Which fundamental ethical principle guides the fair distribution of limited medical resources?

Accepted Answer

Justice.

Answer

Non-maleficence.

Answer

Autonomy.

Answer

Beneficence.

Question 46

Which legal doctrine generally protects healthcare professionals from liability if they act in good faith during an emergency?

Accepted Answer

Good Samaritan.

Answer

Negligence.

Answer

Informed Consent.

Answer

Confidentiality.

Question 47

Which ethical principle emphasizes acting in a way that will result in the greatest benefit and least harm to the patient?

Accepted Answer

Beneficence.

Answer

Justice.

Answer

Autonomy.

Answer

Non-maleficence.

Question 48

In the context of substituted judgment, valid informed consent for an incapacitated patient requires:

Accepted Answer

Clear and convincing evidence of the patient's prior wishes or values.

Answer

Majority agreement from the patient's family members.

Answer

The healthcare provider's belief that the treatment is in the patient's best interest.

Question 49

Which ethical principle prohibits healthcare professionals from intentionally causing harm to patients?

Accepted Answer

Non-maleficence.

Answer

Beneficence.

Answer

Justice.

Answer

Autonomy.

Question 50

Which of the following is an example of a fiduciary duty owed by healthcare professionals to their patients?

Accepted Answer

Acting solely in the patient's best interests.

Answer

Maintaining the confidentiality of patient information.

Answer

Disclosing all potential risks of treatment.

Answer

Providing competent medical care.

Question 51

The legal standard of care for healthcare professionals generally requires:

Accepted Answer

Providing reasonable care.

Answer

Preventing any harm to patients.

Answer

Following all medical protocols.