End-of-Life Care and Decision-Making: Legal and Ethical Considerations

Question 1

In end-of-life care, when patients and their families disagree on treatment options, which ethical principle should be prioritized?

Accepted Answer

Respecting both patient autonomy and family perspectives

Answer

Prioritizing patient autonomy over family wishes

Answer

Always following the family's wishes, regardless of the patient's preferences

Question 2

How does palliative care assist patients and their families in navigating end-of-life decisions?

Accepted Answer

Relieves physical and emotional suffering, providing comfort and support without hastening death.

Answer

Offers legal counsel on end-of-life care matters, ensuring adherence to ethical guidelines.

Answer

Provides spiritual and religious guidance to patients and families, aiding in end-of-life rituals.

Answer

Determines patient eligibility for life-sustaining treatments and makes decisions about end-of-life care.

Question 3

Which principle is NOT included in the Mental Capacity Act 2005?

Accepted Answer

Legally binding Advance Directives

Answer

Presumption of capacity

Answer

Best interests

Answer

Least restrictive option

Question 4

What is the main purpose of an Advance Directive?

Accepted Answer

To record a person's wishes for end-of-life care

Answer

To give healthcare professionals the authority to make decisions without consulting the patient

Answer

To legally obligate healthcare professionals to follow specific treatment instructions

Answer

To take away a person's right to refuse treatment

Question 5

What is the primary responsibility of a healthcare professional in the context of end-of-life care?

Accepted Answer

Advocating for and respecting the patient's wishes

Answer

Providing medical treatment and support

Answer

Making decisions for the patient when they are unable

Answer

Withholding or withdrawing treatment based on their own judgment

Question 6

Which ethical principle is fundamental in end-of-life decision-making?

Accepted Answer

Autonomy

Answer

Beneficence

Answer

Non-maleficence

Answer

Justice

Question 7

According to the law, what defines death in the United Kingdom?

Accepted Answer

Cessation of brain function

Answer

Cessation of breathing and circulation

Answer

Cessation of consciousness

Answer

Cessation of all bodily functions

Question 8

What is the legal status of euthanasia in the United Kingdom?

Accepted Answer

Illegal in all circumstances

Answer

Legal in all circumstances

Answer

Legal in specific situations

Answer

Legal only for healthcare professionals

Question 9

Which ethical principle places the highest value on a patient's right to make their own decisions about their healthcare?

Accepted Answer

Autonomy

Answer

Non-maleficence

Answer

Beneficence

Answer

Justice

Question 10

What is the primary purpose of a Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) Order?

Accepted Answer

To prevent healthcare professionals from performing CPR on a patient in the event of cardiac arrest

Answer

To document a patient's preferences regarding life-sustaining treatments

Answer

To authorize the use of experimental treatments

Answer

To appoint a surrogate decision-maker

Question 11

What is the ethical dilemma posed by the "double effect" principle in end-of-life care?

Accepted Answer

The need to balance the patient's comfort with the risk of unintended consequences

Answer

The conflict between the patient's religious beliefs and the healthcare professional's ethical obligations

Answer

The decision of whether or not to administer life-extending treatments

Answer

The ethical implications of withdrawing or withholding treatment

Question 12

In end-of-life care decision-making, which ethical principle emphasizes the duty of healthcare professionals to act in the patient's best interests, even if the patient disagrees?

Accepted Answer

Beneficence

Answer

Autonomy

Answer

Non-maleficence

Question 13

In end-of-life care, which ethical principle should be given the highest priority when making decisions?

Accepted Answer

Respecting the patient's wishes

Answer

Keeping the patient alive no matter what

Answer

Considering the family's desires

Question 14

What is the purpose of the Liverpool Care Pathway (LCP)?

Accepted Answer

To provide guidance on the provision of holistic, person-centered end-of-life care.

Answer

To reduce the use of medication in end-of-life care.

Answer

To standardise end-of-life treatment across all hospitals.

Answer

To support families and carers of patients.

Question 15

What is the concept of 'double effect' in the context of end-of-life care?

Accepted Answer

Performing an action that has both a good and a harmful outcome, but the harmful outcome is not intended and is outweighed by the intended good.

Answer

Providing treatment that is intended to end a patient's life.

Question 16

Which of the following is a benefit of using a multidisciplinary team (MDT) in end-of-life care?

Accepted Answer

It ensures a comprehensive assessment and provision of care that addresses the physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs of the patient and their family.

Answer

It reduces the cost of care.

Answer

It guarantees that patients will receive the best possible care.

Question 17

What is the role of a palliative care specialist in end-of-life care?

Accepted Answer

To provide specialized medical and nursing care to patients with life-limiting illnesses, focusing on symptom management and improving quality of life.

Answer

To make decisions about life-sustaining treatment.

Answer

To administer medication to relieve pain.

Question 18

Which of the following is a challenge in providing culturally sensitive end-of-life care?

Accepted Answer

Understanding differing beliefs, values, and practices related to death and dying, and ensuring that care is aligned with the patient's cultural and spiritual background.

Answer

Providing access to traditional healing practices.

Answer

Finding interpreters to communicate with patients and families.

Question 19

What is the legal responsibility of healthcare professionals to report suspected cases of abuse or neglect in end-of-life care?

Accepted Answer

They are legally obligated to report any suspected cases to the appropriate authorities, such as social services or the police.

Answer

They must inform the patient's family.

Answer

They can choose whether or not to report it.

Answer

They are only required to report it if the patient is under 18.

Question 20

Which statement is **NOT** a core principle of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 in the UK?

Accepted Answer

A person's best interests are always the absolute priority, overriding all other considerations.

Answer

Decisions must be made in the person's best interests, taking into account their wishes and feelings.

Answer

The person's wishes and feelings must be considered, even if they differ from what is considered to be in their best interests.

Answer

A person must be assumed to have capacity unless it is proven otherwise.

Question 21

What is the primary purpose of an Advance Decision (also called a Living Will)?

Accepted Answer

To outline a person's wishes and preferences for future medical treatment in case they lose mental capacity.

Answer

To appoint a specific person to make medical decisions on their behalf if they lose capacity.

Answer

To legally authorize a healthcare professional to provide life-sustaining treatment.

Question 22

Which ethical principle is most directly connected with respecting a patient's autonomy in end-of-life care?

Accepted Answer

Respect for Persons (or Autonomy)

Answer

Beneficence

Answer

Non-maleficence

Answer

Justice

Question 23

A patient with dementia is unable to communicate their wishes for end-of-life care. Who would be legally authorized to make decisions on their behalf?

Accepted Answer

The patient's appointed Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) for health and welfare.

Answer

The patient's adult children, unless a different LPA is in place.

Answer

The patient's spouse, unless a different LPA is in place.

Question 24

Which of the following is **NOT** a recognized legal duty of a healthcare professional in end-of-life care?

Accepted Answer

To always provide life-sustaining treatment, even if the patient refuses.

Answer

To respect the patient's wishes, even if they differ from the doctor's opinion.

Answer

To provide compassionate care and emotional support.

Question 25

Which UK law specifically addresses the rights of individuals to make decisions about their end-of-life care?

Accepted Answer

The Mental Capacity Act 2005

Answer

The NHS Act 1977

Answer

The Human Rights Act 1998 (which provides a broader framework for human rights, including the right to autonomy)

Answer

The Coroner and Justice Act 2009

Question 26

What is the main purpose of a 'Do Not Resuscitate' (DNR) order?

Accepted Answer

To prevent medical interventions aimed at reviving a patient who has suffered cardiac arrest.

Answer

To relieve the patient from all pain and discomfort.

Answer

To hasten the patient's death.

Question 27

What is the crucial legal and ethical significance of informed consent in end-of-life care?

Accepted Answer

It ensures that patients understand the risks, benefits, and alternatives of their treatment options and make decisions freely and voluntarily.

Answer

It eliminates the need for the healthcare team to provide information about prognosis (which is not always accurate).

Question 28

Which of the following best describes the concept of 'palliative care'?

Accepted Answer

A multidisciplinary approach focused on managing pain, symptoms, and emotional distress for patients with life-limiting illnesses.

Answer

A type of treatment aimed at curing the underlying disease (which is not the primary focus of palliative care).

Question 29

How does the legal framework in the UK balance the rights of individuals to make end-of-life decisions with the responsibilities of healthcare professionals?

Accepted Answer

By upholding the patient's autonomy while requiring healthcare professionals to act within their legal and ethical obligations and to ensure the patient's safety and well-being

Answer

By giving absolute priority to the patient's wishes, regardless of the doctor's opinion