Beneficence and Non-Maleficence: Ethical Principles in Healthcare

Question 1

Consider a patient with a terminal illness who requests euthanasia. Which of the following considerations is most relevant in assessing this request from an ethical perspective?

Accepted Answer

The patient's autonomy, suffering, and quality of life

Answer

The impact on healthcare resources and societal norms

Answer

The physician's personal beliefs about euthanasia and morality

Answer

The legal implications of providing euthanasia

Question 2

The principles of beneficence and non-maleficence:

Accepted Answer

May be interpreted and applied differently across cultures and societies

Answer

Are universally accepted and applied in all cultures and healthcare systems

Answer

Are only relevant to physicians and not other healthcare professionals

Answer

Are outdated and no longer relevant in modern healthcare practice

Question 3

Which ethical theory places the primary emphasis on preventing harm?

Accepted Answer

Deontology

Answer

Utilitarianism

Answer

Existentialism

Question 4

When faced with an ethical dilemma in healthcare, which of the following steps should be undertaken as the initial step?

Accepted Answer

Identifying the relevant ethical principles and values that are at stake

Answer

Gathering relevant information and considering the facts of the situation

Answer

Contemplating the potential benefits and harms of different courses of action

Answer

Making a decision and justifying it using ethical reasoning

Question 5

A patient declines life-saving treatment due to their religious beliefs. How should healthcare professionals balance beneficence and non-maleficence in this situation?

Accepted Answer

Respect the patient's decision and withhold treatment, even if it could save their life.

Answer

Provide treatment without the patient's consent to protect their life.

Answer

Persuade the patient to accept treatment by highlighting its benefits.

Answer

Ignore the patient's beliefs and treat them based solely on medical judgment.

Question 6

In healthcare, the principle of non-maleficence legally requires healthcare professionals to:

Accepted Answer

Prevent foreseeable harm to patients.

Answer

Cure patients of their illnesses or diseases.

Answer

Prioritize patient autonomy, even if it means risking harm.

Answer

Fully disclose all risks and benefits of treatment to patients.

Question 7

Which of the following best captures the essence of beneficence in a medical context?

Accepted Answer

Acting in a way that promotes the patient's well-being and minimizes harm

Answer

Respecting the patient's autonomy and right to make decisions about their own healthcare

Answer

Ensuring that the patient receives the most advanced and expensive medical treatment available

Answer

Adhering strictly to medical protocols and guidelines without considering the patient's individual needs

Question 8

Which of the following is NOT considered a core principle of non-maleficence?

Accepted Answer

Prioritizing the patient's autonomy and right to refuse treatment

Answer

Avoiding actions that could cause harm to the patient

Answer

Taking steps to minimize the risk of harm to the patient

Answer

Choosing the least invasive treatment option when multiple options are available

Question 9

Which of the following is a fundamental principle underlying beneficence in medical ethics?

Accepted Answer

Actively promoting the well-being of the patient

Answer

Ensuring the autonomy of the patient

Answer

Respecting the confidentiality of patient information

Answer

Avoiding any potential benefit to the patient

Question 10

Which of the following actions best aligns with the principle of beneficence?

Accepted Answer

Performing a procedure that may cause discomfort but is ultimately beneficial

Answer

Prescribing a medication with known side effects without informing the patient

Answer

Withholding a potentially life-extending treatment based on the patient's religious beliefs

Answer

Ignoring a patient's request for pain relief to facilitate diagnosis

Question 11

The concept of 'double effect' in medical ethics refers to:

Accepted Answer

Foreseeing a possible harm while performing an action that is predominantly beneficial

Answer

Intentionally causing harm to achieve a greater good

Answer

Prioritizing the patient's wishes over potential treatment outcomes

Answer

Weighing the risks of an intervention before proceeding

Question 12

The principles of beneficence and non-maleficence:

Accepted Answer

Are often competing principles that require careful consideration

Answer

Are absolute moral obligations that can never be circumvented

Answer

Are only relevant to certain areas of medical practice

Answer

Have no practical implications for healthcare professionals

Question 13

The duty to prevent harm requires healthcare professionals to:

Accepted Answer

Actively take steps to minimize or eliminate harm

Answer

Only focus on preventing physical harm

Answer

Only prevent harm to highly vulnerable patients

Answer

Avoid all actions that have the potential to cause discomfort

Question 14

The principle of beneficence emphasizes the ethical obligation to:

Accepted Answer

Act in ways that promote the well-being and best interests of patients

Answer

Respect patient autonomy above all else

Answer

Avoid causing any harm to patients

Answer

Maximize patient comfort at all times

Question 15

Which ethical framework is characterized by its strong emphasis on avoiding harm above all other considerations?

Accepted Answer

Non-maleficence

Answer

Utilitarianism

Answer

Virtue ethics

Answer

Autonomy-based ethics

Question 16

When faced with a decision that could potentially cause harm to a patient, healthcare professionals should primarily consider:

Accepted Answer

The principle of non-maleficence

Answer

Their own personal values

Answer

The patient's autonomy

Answer

The principle of beneficence

Question 17

In applying the principle of beneficence, healthcare professionals should strive to:

Accepted Answer

Weigh the potential benefits and risks to maximize patient well-being

Answer

Sempre maximize benefits, regardless of risks or patient preferences

Answer

Prioritize their own interests over patient well-being

Answer

Always avoid any action that could potentially cause harm

Question 18

Which of the following is a potential limitation of beneficence?

Accepted Answer

It can conflict with other ethical principles, such as autonomy

Answer

It is easy to apply in all clinical scenarios

Answer

It always guarantees the best possible outcome for patients

Answer

It does not require healthcare professionals to consider individual patient values

Question 19

A doctor decides to withhold information about a patient's diagnosis from them, believing it is in their best interest to protect them from emotional distress. This action:

Accepted Answer

Undermines the principle of beneficence

Answer

Is ethically acceptable under the principle of paternalism

Answer

Is justified if it ultimately leads to a better outcome for the patient

Answer

Complies with the principle of non-maleficence

Question 20

Which of the following situations best exemplifies the ethical tension between beneficence and non-maleficence?

Accepted Answer

Offering a patient with a life-threatening illness a treatment with a low chance of success but potentially life-extending effects

Answer

Prescribing antibiotics to a patient with a minor infection to prevent complications

Question 21

According to the principle of non-maleficence, healthcare professionals have a duty to:

Accepted Answer

Avoid causing harm to patients, even if it means sacrificing potential benefits

Answer

Take actions that may cause harm if they believe it is in the patient's best interests

Question 22

A surgeon decides to remove a patient's tumor, knowing that there is a significant risk of paralysis as a side effect. This decision is based on the principle of:

Accepted Answer

Beneficence

Answer

Autonomy

Answer

Non-maleficence

Answer

Justice

Question 23

Which of the following healthcare professionals has the primary responsibility for upholding the principles of beneficence and non-maleficence?

Accepted Answer

All healthcare professionals

Answer

Doctors only

Answer

Nurses only

Answer

Hospital administrators only

Question 24

In the context of beneficence, what is the ethical obligation of healthcare professionals towards patients?

Accepted Answer

To act in their best interests, respecting their values and preferences

Answer

To follow their own moral beliefs

Answer

To do whatever it takes to cure their illnesses