Medical Ethics and Decision Making Quizzes for MBBS Students

Question 1

In end-of-life care, it is ethically acceptable to:

Accepted Answer

Adhere to the patient's wishes regarding life-sustaining treatment if they have decision-making capacity

Answer

Actively end a patient's life against their expressed wishes

Answer

Deceive a patient about their diagnosis to alleviate their suffering

Answer

Administer life-saving treatment against a patient's explicit refusal

Question 2

The ethical principle that obligates healthcare professionals to prioritize patients' well-being is:

Accepted Answer

Beneficence

Answer

Autonomy

Answer

Non-maleficence

Answer

Justice

Question 3

Ethical considerations for animal research primarily emphasize:

Accepted Answer

Minimizing animal suffering

Answer

Promoting medical advancements through animal models

Answer

Recognizing animals' moral status

Answer

Justifying animal use regardless of research potential

Question 4

Which ethical principle emphasizes the patient's right to make choices about their own medical care?

Accepted Answer

Autonomy

Answer

Beneficence

Answer

Non-maleficence

Answer

Veracity

Question 5

What is the primary goal of prioritizing healthcare resources fairly?

Accepted Answer

To ensure equitable distribution of resources among all patients

Answer

To maximize the number of lives saved

Answer

To minimize the overall cost of care

Answer

To prioritize the needs of the youngest patients

Question 6

Which of the following is NOT necessary for legally valid informed consent?

Accepted Answer

Getting consent approved by a healthcare ethics board

Answer

Providing information in a language the patient understands

Answer

Ensuring the patient is competent to make decisions

Answer

Giving the patient adequate time to consider the information

Question 7

What is the primary function of an ethics committee in healthcare?

Accepted Answer

To provide guidance on ethical issues and challenges

Answer

To investigate allegations of unethical conduct

Answer

To approve all research involving human participants

Answer

To penalize healthcare professionals who violate ethical guidelines

Question 8

When making decisions for critically ill patients, which ethical principle is considered most important?

Accepted Answer

Honoring the patient's wishes and values

Answer

Preserving life at any cost

Answer

Reducing the patient's discomfort

Answer

Involving the patient's family in decision-making

Question 9

Differentiate between active and passive euthanasia.

Accepted Answer

Active euthanasia involves deliberately ending a patient's life, while passive euthanasia involves withholding or withdrawing life-sustaining treatment

Answer

Passive euthanasia involves deliberately ending a patient's life, while active euthanasia involves withholding or withdrawing life-sustaining treatment

Answer

Euthanasia is illegal in the UK regardless of its form

Answer

Euthanasia is legal in the UK in specific circumstances

Question 10

What is the definition of "moral distress" in the healthcare context?

Accepted Answer

The discomfort experienced by healthcare professionals when they cannot act according to their ethical values

Answer

The distress felt by patients due to inadequate medical care

Answer

The emotional toll of high workload and pressure in healthcare settings

Answer

The distress resulting from conflicts with colleagues or supervisors

Question 11

In accordance with research ethics guidelines, when is it considered ethical to conduct research involving human participants, and what essential conditions must be met?

Accepted Answer

Research is ethical if participants provide informed consent, risks are minimized, and potential benefits outweigh risks.

Answer

Research is ethical if it has the potential to benefit society.

Answer

Research is ethical if it has been approved by an ethics review board.

Answer

Research is ethical if the research team has a history of ethical research practices.

Question 12

In organ transplantation, which of these is NOT a primary ethical priority?

Accepted Answer

Making the most money

Answer

Saving the most lives

Answer

Respecting patient choice

Answer

Distributing organs fairly

Question 13

Which of the following is a central principle of the autonomy-based approach to medical decision-making?

Accepted Answer

Respect for the patient's wishes and values

Answer

Maximizing benefits for the patient

Answer

Minimizing potential harms to the patient

Answer

Acting in the patient's best interests

Question 14

When allocating scarce medical resources, which ethical principle prioritizes distribution based on individual needs?

Accepted Answer

Justice

Answer

Equality

Answer

Fairness

Answer

Utility

Question 15

In the case of a pregnant patient who refuses a life-saving blood transfusion due to her religious beliefs, which ethical principle could justify overriding her decision?

Accepted Answer

Beneficence

Answer

Respect for autonomy

Answer

Non-maleficence

Answer

Justice

Question 16

Which ethical principle places the patient's preferences and values at the forefront of decision-making?

Accepted Answer

Autonomy

Answer

Beneficence

Answer

Non-maleficence

Answer

Veracity

Question 17

Which ethical framework emphasizes fairness and justice in the allocation of scarce medical resources?

Accepted Answer

Equity

Answer

Utilitarianism

Answer

Paternalism

Answer

Deontology

Question 18

Which characteristic is least desirable in a medical ethicist?

Accepted Answer

Rigidity

Answer

Impartiality

Answer

Compassion

Answer

Cultural sensitivity

Question 19

When a patient's wishes conflict with their family's preferences, who ultimately has the authority to make decisions about the patient's care?

Accepted Answer

The patient, if they are of sound mind

Answer

The patient's family

Answer

The healthcare provider

Answer

The hospital ethics committee

Question 20

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

Accepted Answer

Autonomy always prevails

Answer

Beneficence

Answer

Non-maleficence

Answer

Justice

Question 21

In the context of end-of-life care, which ethical framework places the highest emphasis on respecting a patient's individual preferences and values?

Accepted Answer

Patient-centered care

Answer

Virtue ethics

Answer

Utilitarianism

Answer

Kantian ethics

Question 22

Informed consent in medical decision-making is best described as:

Accepted Answer

A patient's voluntary agreement to a proposed treatment after receiving clear and comprehensive information about its potential risks and benefits.

Answer

A doctor's obligation to make decisions on behalf of their patients.

Question 23

In resource allocation decisions, which ethical principle emphasizes the fair and equitable distribution of healthcare resources, regardless of a patient's social status or health needs?

Accepted Answer

Justice

Answer

Paternalism

Answer

Autonomy

Answer

Utility

Question 24

Which of the following scenarios exemplifies a potential ethical conflict in medical practice?

Accepted Answer

A patient's strong desire for a treatment that may not be medically beneficial or appropriate.

Answer

Following hospital protocols without question.

Answer

Avoiding communication with a patient's family.

Question 25

When a patient lacks the capacity to make their own medical decisions, who is typically responsible for making those decisions?

Accepted Answer

Their legally authorized representative, such as a healthcare proxy or power of attorney.

Answer

The doctor alone.

Answer

The patient's family or friends.

Question 26

What is a significant benefit of using ethical frameworks in medical decision-making?

Accepted Answer

They promote consistency and transparency in decision-making processes.

Answer

They eliminate all ethical conflicts.

Answer

They prevent legal liability.

Question 27

In cases of medical futility, which ethical principles are most relevant and often in conflict?

Accepted Answer

Non-maleficence (avoiding harm) and respect for autonomy (patient's right to make decisions).

Answer

Utility (maximizing benefits) and beneficence (acting in the patient's best interest).

Answer

Autonomy (patient's right to make decisions) and fairness (equal treatment).

Answer

Beneficence (acting in the patient's best interest) and justice (fairness in resource allocation).

Question 28

What is a primary role of an ethics committee in healthcare?

Accepted Answer

Providing guidance and support on complex ethical issues that arise in patient care.

Answer

Making final decisions on behalf of patients.

Answer

Investigating ethical misconduct.

Question 29

How can healthcare professionals effectively promote ethical decision-making in their practice?

Accepted Answer

By actively seeking input from colleagues, patients, and families; considering diverse perspectives; and reflecting on their own values and biases.

Answer

By following hospital protocols without question.