Beneficence and Non-Maleficence: A Guide to Ethical Healthcare Decision-Making

Question 1

In healthcare, which action exemplifies the ethical principle of beneficence?

Accepted Answer

Providing life-saving medication to a critically ill patient

Answer

Denying treatment due to personal beliefs

Answer

Sharing confidential patient information without consent

Answer

Withholding treatment from a terminally ill patient experiencing pain

Question 2

In healthcare ethics, what does the principle of non-maleficence primarily emphasize?

Accepted Answer

Preventing or minimizing harm to a patient

Answer

Intentionally causing harm to a patient

Answer

Weighing the potential benefits and risks of a treatment

Answer

Offering patients every possible treatment option

Question 3

Which action best demonstrates the ethical principle of beneficence in healthcare?

Accepted Answer

Administering a treatment with potential risks and benefits to enhance a patient's health.

Answer

Withholding treatment from a patient deemed incapable of making informed decisions.

Answer

Informing patients of all treatment options, irrespective of their preferences.

Answer

Offering emotional support to a patient's family.

Question 4

Which of the following accurately defines beneficence in healthcare?

Accepted Answer

Performing actions that promote the patient's well-being

Answer

Preventing any potential harm to the patient

Answer

Respecting the patient's choices

Answer

Providing treatments that meet the highest medical standards

Question 5

The principle of non-maleficence obligates healthcare professionals to:

Accepted Answer

Avoid causing harm to patients

Answer

Always prioritize the patient's best interests

Answer

Uphold the patient's rights

Answer

Provide the highest possible quality of care

Question 6

The principles of beneficence and non-maleficence are:

Accepted Answer

Complementary

Answer

Mutually exclusive

Answer

Contradictory

Answer

Unrelated

Question 7

Which ethical theory emphasizes beneficence the most?

Accepted Answer

Utilitarianism

Answer

Kantianism

Answer

Virtue ethics

Answer

Natural law theory

Question 8

The concept of "double effect" in relation to beneficence and non-maleficence allows healthcare professionals to:

Accepted Answer

Foresee but not intend harm as a side effect of a beneficial action

Answer

Intentionally cause harm to achieve a good outcome

Answer

Avoid harm to patients at all costs, even if it means sacrificing a potential benefit

Answer

Weigh the potential benefits and risks of an action to determine the most ethical course of action

Question 9

Which of the following accurately defines the ethical principle of beneficence?

Accepted Answer

Promoting the patient's well-being and best interests

Answer

Preventing harm to patients

Answer

Respecting the patient's autonomy and privacy

Answer

Ensuring fair distribution of healthcare resources

Question 10

The concept of double effect implies:

Accepted Answer

It can be ethically permissible to cause harm as an unintended consequence of a good action

Answer

Healthcare professionals must always select the option that minimizes potential harm

Answer

Patients must be fully informed about all potential risks before consenting to treatment

Answer

Ethical decision-making is always clear-cut and straightforward

Question 11

In evaluating the potential harms and benefits of a treatment, healthcare professionals should consider:

Accepted Answer

All potential impacts on the patient, encompassing social, emotional, and financial factors

Answer

Only the direct physical and psychological impacts on the patient

Answer

Exclusively the harms and benefits that are highly probable

Answer

Solely the impacts that can be objectively quantified

Question 12

Healthcare professionals have an ethical obligation to avoid causing harm, even if it means withholding a potentially beneficial treatment. This obligation is referred to as:

Accepted Answer

Non-maleficence

Answer

Beneficence

Answer

Autonomy

Answer

Justice

Question 13

Which of the following is central to the ethical principle of beneficence in healthcare decision-making?

Accepted Answer

Promoting the patient's best interests and well-being

Answer

Preventing harm to the patient

Answer

Adhering to patient autonomy

Answer

Respecting societal norms

Question 14

Non-maleficence in healthcare primarily emphasizes:

Accepted Answer

Avoiding harm to the patient

Answer

Benefiting the patient

Answer

Maximizing healthcare resources

Answer

Following cultural norms

Question 15

In a situation where a patient's wishes conflict with the healthcare professional's judgment, the principle of non-maleficence would require:

Accepted Answer

Balancing the patient's wishes with potential harm

Answer

Always prioritizing the patient's wishes

Answer

Always prioritizing the healthcare professional's judgment

Answer

Ignoring the patient's wishes

Question 16

Which of the following is NOT a potential consequence of violating the ethical principle of beneficence?

Accepted Answer

Improved patient satisfaction

Answer

Detrimental effects on patient outcomes

Answer

Erosion of trust in healthcare professionals

Answer

Legal implications

Question 17

In the context of non-maleficence, which of the following actions would generally be considered unacceptable?

Accepted Answer

Withholding pain medication without a valid reason

Answer

Providing necessary life-sustaining treatment

Answer

Performing surgery with known significant risks

Answer

Administering medication with common side effects

Question 18

When a patient with a terminal illness refuses life-sustaining treatment, which ethical principle should primarily guide the healthcare professional's actions?

Accepted Answer

Both beneficence and non-maleficence

Answer

Beneficence only

Answer

Non-maleficence only

Answer

Neither beneficence nor non-maleficence

Question 19

In healthcare decision-making, informed consent primarily serves to:

Accepted Answer

Ensure that patients fully understand the risks and benefits of treatment

Answer

Protect healthcare professionals from legal liability

Answer

Guarantee that patients will always choose the most optimal treatment

Answer

Force patients to accept treatment

Question 20

Which ethical framework emphasizes the concepts of patient autonomy and beneficence in healthcare decision-making?

Accepted Answer

Principlism

Answer

Utilitarianism

Answer

Deontology

Answer

Virtue ethics

Question 21

Identify the principle of beneficence that promotes respect for the patient's wishes.

Accepted Answer

Patient autonomy

Answer

Doing good

Answer

Avoiding unnecessary harm

Answer

Acting in the patient's best interests

Question 22

According to the principle of non-maleficence, healthcare professionals are obligated to:

Accepted Answer

Avoid causing harm to the patient, even if it means not providing the best possible care.

Answer

Always act in the patient's best interests, even if it means causing some harm.

Answer

Respect the patient's autonomy, even if it means not providing the best possible care.

Answer

Always follow orders from their superiors, even if it means causing harm to the patient.

Question 23

Which of the following is a practical example of applying the principle of beneficence in healthcare?

Accepted Answer

Administering pain medication to a patient in pain.

Answer

Withholding life-sustaining treatment from a terminally ill patient against their wishes.

Answer

Ignoring a patient's request for pain relief.

Answer

Performing a surgical procedure without obtaining informed consent from the patient.

Question 24

Which of the following is an example of a non-maleficent action in healthcare?

Accepted Answer

Failing to take necessary precautions to prevent infection.

Answer

Overprescribing antibiotics.

Answer

Ignoring a patient's request for pain relief.

Answer

Performing a procedure without the patient's informed consent.

Question 25

How can healthcare professionals effectively balance the principles of beneficence and non-maleficence?

Accepted Answer

By considering the patient's individual needs, values, and preferences.

Answer

By following a rigid set of rules that prioritize beneficence over non-maleficence.

Answer

By relying solely on their own personal beliefs and experiences.

Answer

By avoiding any involvement in situations where these principles conflict.

Question 26

A patient with a terminal illness requests to discontinue life-sustaining treatment. In this scenario, which ethical principle should be prioritized: beneficence or non-maleficence? Justify your choice.

Accepted Answer

Non-maleficence, as it involves respecting the patient's wishes and preventing further suffering.

Answer

Beneficence, as it entails providing the patient with optimal care and extending their life.

Question 27

In healthcare resource allocation, which ethical principle prioritizes fairness and the equal distribution of limited resources?

Accepted Answer

Justice

Answer

Beneficence

Answer

Non-Maleficence

Answer

Autonomy

Question 28

What is the best definition of beneficence in healthcare?

Accepted Answer

Acting in the patient's best interests, considering their values and well-being.

Answer

Focusing solely on the patient's physical health.

Answer

Prioritizing the healthcare professional's interests over the patient's needs.

Answer

Avoiding harm at all costs, even if it means withholding beneficial treatments.

Question 29

Which of the following statements best describes the primary goal of beneficence in healthcare?

Accepted Answer

To do good for the patient

Answer

To minimize patient harm

Answer

To respect patient autonomy

Answer

To ensure fair distribution of healthcare resources

Question 30

A patient with a terminal illness makes a request to discontinue treatment. Which ethical principle should guide the healthcare team's decision-making process?

Accepted Answer

Both beneficence and non-maleficence

Answer

Beneficence

Answer

Non-maleficence

Answer

Neither beneficence nor non-maleficence

Question 31

When evaluating the potential risks and benefits of a medical intervention, which factor should be given the utmost priority?

Accepted Answer

The potential for causing harm

Answer

The patient's personal preferences

Answer

The likelihood of success

Answer

The cost of treatment

Question 32

Which ethical principle is paramount for healthcare professionals to uphold in their practice, prioritizing patient well-being and preventing harm?

Accepted Answer

Beneficence and non-maleficence

Answer

Autonomy

Answer

Justice

Answer

Confidentiality

Question 33

Which of the following best defines the ethical principle of beneficence in healthcare decision-making?

Accepted Answer

Actively doing good and promoting the well-being of patients

Answer

Respecting the autonomy of individuals

Answer

Avoiding harm and preventing suffering

Question 34

The ethical principle of beneficence requires healthcare professionals to:

Accepted Answer

Act in the patient's best interests, even if they disagree with the patient's wishes

Answer

Respect the patient's autonomy

Answer

Avoid harm at all costs

Question 35

Which of the following actions constitutes a violation of the principle of non-maleficence?

Accepted Answer

Prescribing a medication without fully informing the patient of its potential side effects

Answer

Obtaining informed consent before a procedure

Answer

Providing emotional support to a patient

Question 36

In healthcare contexts, the principle of non-maleficence translates to:

Accepted Answer

First, do no harm

Answer

Maximize the benefits of treatment

Answer

Only do good

Answer

Respect the patient's wishes

Question 37

When a patient refuses a potentially life-saving treatment, healthcare professionals should primarily:

Accepted Answer

Respect the patient's autonomy, even if they believe the patient is making a poor decision

Answer

Withhold information about the risks and benefits of treatment

Answer

Override the patient's decision for their own good

Answer

Coerce the patient into accepting treatment

Question 38

Which ethical principle is primarily concerned with the concept of 'doing good' and promoting well-being?

Accepted Answer

Beneficence

Answer

Justice

Answer

Non-maleficence

Answer

Autonomy

Question 39

The ethical principle of non-maleficence primarily emphasizes:

Accepted Answer

Preventing and minimizing harm to patients

Answer

Ensuring fairness in healthcare

Answer

Respecting patient choices

Answer

Promoting well-being

Question 40

Which of the following is the best definition of the principle of beneficence?

Accepted Answer

Actively promoting the well-being and best interests of others

Answer

Minimizing potential risks and harms

Answer

Maintaining patient confidentiality

Answer

Treating all patients equally, without regard to their personal beliefs

Question 41

A doctor recommends a surgery with potential risks to a patient, despite there being a less invasive alternative. Which ethical principle is violated?

Accepted Answer

Non-maleficence

Answer

Beneficence

Answer

Autonomy

Answer

Justice

Question 42

Which of the following actions is an example of beneficence?

Accepted Answer

Providing emotional support to a patient

Answer

Withholding a life-saving treatment from a patient

Answer

Failing to take reasonable steps to prevent patient harm

Answer

Performing a procedure without informed consent

Question 43

In the context of healthcare decision-making, what do we mean by 'reasonable risks'?

Accepted Answer

Risks that are necessary to achieve the desired benefits and that the patient has agreed to after being fully informed

Answer

Risks that are unavoidable and cannot be mitigated

Question 44

Which of the following distinguishes beneficence from non-maleficence?

Accepted Answer

Beneficence involves actively promoting good, while non-maleficence means avoiding harm

Answer

Beneficence applies to all patients, while non-maleficence applies only to vulnerable patients

Question 45

A nurse is caring for a patient who refuses a blood transfusion due to religious beliefs. Which action respects the patient's autonomy?

Accepted Answer

Providing clear information about the transfusion and supporting the patient's decision

Answer

Appealing to the patient's family to convince them to consent to the transfusion

Question 46

Which ethical theory emphasizes maximizing overall good and minimizing harm?

Accepted Answer

Utilitarianism

Answer

Deontology

Answer

Kantianism

Answer

Virtue ethics

Question 47

A doctor must make a difficult decision about a patient's treatment. The patient's family disagrees with the doctor's recommendation, but the doctor believes their decision aligns with the patient's best interests. Who should the doctor prioritize?

Accepted Answer

The patient's best interests

Answer

The opinions of their colleagues

Answer

Their personal beliefs

Answer

The family's wishes

Question 48

Which potential limitation of beneficence as an ethical principle?

Accepted Answer

It can be challenging to determine what is in a patient's best interests

Answer

It can lead to healthcare professionals overriding patient decisions

Answer

It does not consider patient values and preferences

Question 49

A patient requests a treatment with a low chance of success and significant potential side effects. The doctor is hesitant, but respects patient autonomy. What should the doctor do?

Accepted Answer

Provide the treatment after ensuring the patient fully understands the risks and benefits

Answer

Refuse to provide the treatment, even if the patient insists

Answer

Seek a second opinion from another doctor