Unit 4 of 5
Study guide for DSST DSST Ethics in America — Unit 4: Bioethics and Medical Ethics. Practice questions, key concepts, and exam tips.
22
Practice Questions
15
Flashcards
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Key Topics
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A doctor is considering whether to disclose a patient's diagnosis of a terminal illness to the patient's family, who have asked the doctor to keep the information secret. Which of the following is the most appropriate principle for the doctor to apply in this situation?
Answer: D — The correct answer is A) Respect for patient autonomy, because this principle prioritizes the patient's right to make informed decisions about their care, including the right to know their diagnosis. The other options are incorrect because while non-maleficence (B) and beneficence (C) are important principles in bioethics, they do not take precedence over respect for patient autonomy in this situation. Justice (D) is also not the most relevant principle, as the family's right to know is secondary to the patient's right to autonomy.
A hospital is considering a new policy that would prioritize organ transplants for patients who are most likely to survive and have a good quality of life after the transplant. However, this policy would likely disadvantage older patients and those with disabilities. What ethical principle is most relevant to this dilemma?
Answer: D — The correct answer is D) The principle of justice, because the policy raises concerns about fairness and discrimination in the distribution of organ transplants. The principle of justice requires that healthcare resources be distributed in a way that is fair and equitable, and that patients are not discriminated against based on their age, disability, or other characteristics. The other options are incorrect because while autonomy, non-maleficence, and beneficence are all important principles in bioethics, they are not the most relevant to this specific dilemma. Autonomy is relevant to patient decision-making, non-maleficence is relevant to avoiding harm, and beneficence is relevant to promoting the well-being of patients, but they do not directly address the issue of fairness and discrimination in the distribution of resources.
A doctor is considering whether to disclose a patient's diagnosis of a terminal illness to the patient's family, who have requested that the information be kept confidential. However, the patient has not explicitly stated their wishes regarding disclosure. What should the doctor do, according to the principle of autonomy in bioethics?
Answer: D — The correct answer is A, as the principle of autonomy in bioethics prioritizes the patient's right to make informed decisions about their own care. Without the patient's explicit consent, the doctor should not disclose the diagnosis to the family. Options B, C, and D are incorrect because they either disregard the patient's autonomy or prioritize the interests of others over the patient's rights.
A hospital is considering a new policy that would prioritize organ transplants for patients who are most likely to survive and have a good quality of life after the transplant. However, this policy would also mean that some patients who are less likely to survive or have a poor quality of life would be denied a transplant. Which of the following is the most appropriate ethical principle to apply in this situation?
Answer: C — The correct answer is D) The principle of distributive justice. This principle is relevant because the hospital is making a decision about how to allocate a limited resource (organs for transplant) in a way that is fair and promotes the common good. The principle of distributive justice requires considering the overall benefit to society and allocating resources in a way that maximizes benefit and minimizes harm. Option A is incorrect because the principle of non-maleficence (do no harm) is not directly relevant to the allocation of resources. Option B is incorrect because the principle of beneficence (do good) is important, but it does not provide guidance on how to allocate limited resources. Option C is incorrect because the principle of autonomy (patient self-determination) is not directly relevant to the hospital's decision about how to allocate organs for transplant.
A doctor is considering whether to disclose a patient's diagnosis of a terminal illness to the patient's family without the patient's consent. Which of the following principles should guide the doctor's decision?
Answer: C — The correct answer is B) Respect for the patient's autonomy, because the principle of autonomy is a fundamental principle in bioethics that emphasizes the patient's right to make informed decisions about their own care. Disclosing a patient's diagnosis without their consent would be a violation of their autonomy. The other options are incorrect because they do not prioritize the patient's autonomy: A) Respect for the patient's family may be important, but it should not take precedence over the patient's autonomy; C) Benefit to the patient's community is not a relevant principle in this scenario; and D) Avoidance of medical malpractice lawsuits is a legal consideration, but not an ethical principle that should guide the doctor's decision.
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