Medical Ethics and Decision-Making Quizzes for Medical Law LLM Students

Question 1

Which legal doctrine permits healthcare professionals to withhold life-sustaining treatment in specific circumstances?

Accepted Answer

Doctrine of best interests

Answer

Doctrine of informed consent

Answer

Doctrine of substituted judgment

Answer

Doctrine of double effect

Question 2

According to the UK Human Rights Act 1998, which of the following is a fundamental human right in the context of medical treatment?

Accepted Answer

The right to refuse medical treatment

Answer

The right to healthcare

Answer

The right to end one's life

Answer

The right to physician-assisted dying

Question 3

Which of the following is NOT a key component of culturally sensitive medical decision-making?

Accepted Answer

Ignoring cultural differences

Answer

Understanding the patient's cultural beliefs and values

Answer

Respecting the patient's autonomy

Answer

Encouraging patient participation in decision-making

Question 4

In the context of obtaining informed consent, what is the healthcare professional's primary responsibility?

Accepted Answer

Ensuring the patient fully comprehends the potential risks and benefits

Answer

Documenting the patient's consent

Answer

Providing the patient with comprehensive information about the procedure

Answer

Advocating for the treatment option they believe is best for the patient

Question 5

When making end-of-life decisions, which factor should be given paramount consideration?

Accepted Answer

The patient's wishes

Answer

The patient's family's wishes

Answer

The availability of resources

Answer

The healthcare professional's personal beliefs

Question 6

Which of the following ethical issues is central to resource allocation in healthcare?

Accepted Answer

Equity versus efficiency

Answer

Autonomy versus beneficence

Answer

Justice versus fairness

Answer

Non-maleficence versus beneficence

Question 7

In the United Kingdom, which legal framework governs medical research involving human subjects?

Accepted Answer

The Human Tissue Act 2004

Answer

The Data Protection Act 2018

Answer

The Mental Capacity Act 2005

Answer

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency

Question 8

Which of the following is a fundamental principle of patient confidentiality?

Accepted Answer

Information should be kept strictly confidential unless the patient explicitly consents to its disclosure

Answer

Information can be shared with other healthcare professionals involved in the patient's care

Answer

Information can be disclosed to the patient's family members without their consent

Answer

Information can be disclosed to insurance companies without the patient's consent

Question 9

Which of the following is NOT a potential ethical conflict that may arise in medical decision-making?

Accepted Answer

Conflict between the patient's wishes and the healthcare professional's duty of care

Answer

Conflict between the patient's wishes and the healthcare professional's beliefs

Answer

Conflict between the patient's interests and the interests of society

Answer

Conflict between the healthcare professional's duty to the patient and their duty to the hospital

Question 10

In the United Kingdom, which body is responsible for investigating serious medical incidents?

Accepted Answer

The Care Quality Commission

Answer

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence

Answer

The Health and Safety Executive

Answer

The General Medical Council

Question 11

Identify the principle that emphasizes respecting the patient's autonomous decisions and preferences:

Accepted Answer

Autonomy

Answer

Beneficence

Answer

Non-maleficence

Answer

Justice

Question 12

Which ethical principle emphasizes respecting a person's right to make decisions about their own body and medical treatment?

Accepted Answer

Respect for autonomy

Answer

Beneficence

Answer

Non-maleficence

Answer

Accountability

Question 13

Under the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (England and Wales), what is the default assumption about a person's capacity to make decisions?

Accepted Answer

A person is presumed to have capacity unless there is evidence to the contrary

Answer

A person is presumed to lack capacity if they have a mental impairment or disability

Answer

A person's capacity must be formally assessed by a healthcare professional before any decisions can be made on their behalf

Answer

A person's capacity is irrelevant in medical decision-making

Question 14

What is the central concept of the 'Bolam test', used in medical negligence cases?

Accepted Answer

The standard of care is determined by what a reasonable doctor would do in the same situation

Answer

The patient's expectations of care are the primary factor in determining the standard of care

Answer

Expert evidence is always required to establish the appropriate standard of care

Answer

The doctor's qualifications and experience are irrelevant in determining the standard of care

Question 15

In the allocation of limited medical resources, which ethical principle is **inappropriate** to consider?

Accepted Answer

Libertarianism

Answer

Equity

Answer

Utility

Answer

Beneficence

Question 16

In the context of medical ethics, which principle upholds the patient's right to make autonomous decisions about their own healthcare?

Accepted Answer

Informed consent

Answer

Beneficence

Answer

Non-maleficence

Answer

Justice

Question 17

Which ethical principle obligates healthcare providers to act in the best interests of the patient, even if the patient refuses treatment?

Accepted Answer

Beneficence

Answer

Autonomy

Answer

Non-maleficence

Answer

Justice

Question 18

In the context of medical ethics, the principle of justice refers to:

Accepted Answer

Fair distribution of healthcare resources

Answer

Equal access to medical treatment

Answer

Respect for individual patient rights

Answer

Balancing the interests of different stakeholders

Question 19

According to the UK Human Rights Act 1998, which article protects an individual's right to privacy and family life?

Accepted Answer

Article 8

Answer

Article 5

Answer

Article 10

Answer

Article 12

Question 20

In the context of healthcare resource allocation, which ethical theory emphasizes maximizing the overall benefit to society?

Accepted Answer

Utilitarianism

Answer

Deontology

Answer

Virtue ethics

Answer

Care ethics

Question 21

Which of the following is NOT a core ethical principle guiding medical decision-making?

Accepted Answer

Maximizing patient satisfaction

Answer

Justice

Answer

Autonomy

Answer

Beneficence

Question 22

When making end-of-life decisions, which factor is generally considered ethically irrelevant?

Accepted Answer

The patient's financial status

Answer

The patient's quality of life

Answer

Medical futility

Answer

The patient's wishes and values

Question 23

The ethical principle of resource allocation in healthcare primarily emphasizes:

Accepted Answer

Fair and efficient distribution of resources

Answer

Patient's ability to pay

Answer

First-come, first-served basis

Question 24

The principle of non-maleficence in medical ethics dictates that healthcare professionals should:

Accepted Answer

Avoid causing harm to patients

Answer

Ensure patient confidentiality

Answer

Advocate for patient rights

Answer

Promote patient autonomy

Question 25

Which of the following is NOT a legal defense to a battery charge in the context of medical treatment?

Accepted Answer

Therapeutic privilege

Answer

Necessity

Answer

Emergency situation

Answer

Valid patient consent

Question 26

The doctrine of double effect allows for an action with both good and bad consequences if:

Accepted Answer

The intended outcome is the good consequence, and the bad consequence is unintended

Answer

The bad consequence is outweighed by the good consequence

Answer

The person causing the harm acts with reasonable care

Question 27

Maintaining patient confidentiality in medical ethics primarily involves:

Accepted Answer

Protecting the privacy of patient information

Answer

Sharing patient information with other healthcare providers

Answer

Reporting patient information to law enforcement authorities

Answer

Disclosing patient information to family members