Ethical Principles in End-of-Life Care: A Comprehensive Guide for Healthcare Professionals

Question 1

In ethical decision-making for end-of-life care, how does empathy contribute to the process?

Accepted Answer

It helps healthcare providers understand patients' perspectives and preferences.

Answer

It can be used to justify decisions that may not be in the patient's best interests.

Answer

It is not necessary for ethical decision-making in end-of-life care.

Question 2

Non-maleficence in healthcare primarily emphasizes the duty to:

Accepted Answer

Do good and prevent harm

Answer

Respect patient choices

Answer

Ensure fairness in resource allocation

Answer

Preserve patient dignity

Question 3

Which of these actions best exemplifies the ethical principle of autonomy in end-of-life care?

Accepted Answer

A patient choosing to refuse a blood transfusion due to personal beliefs

Answer

A doctor overriding a patient's wishes for life-sustaining treatment

Answer

A family making decisions for an incapacitated patient without their consent

Answer

A doctor withdrawing pain medication to hasten a patient's death

Question 4

When ethical principles conflict in healthcare, the best course of action is to:

Accepted Answer

Engage in reflective ethical deliberation and consult with colleagues

Answer

Adhere strictly to the principle with the strongest legal basis

Answer

Rely solely on personal values to make a decision

Answer

Ignore the conflict and prioritize the patient's wishes only

Question 5

True or False: Beneficence always requires healthcare professionals to act in the best interests of the patient, even if it means disregarding their preferences.

Accepted Answer

False

Answer

True

Question 6

The primary objective of palliative care is to:

Accepted Answer

Control symptoms and enhance quality of life

Answer

Eradicate the underlying disease

Answer

Extend the patient's life indefinitely

Answer

Prepare the patient for imminent death

Question 7

The principle of non-maleficence requires healthcare professionals to

Accepted Answer

Do no harm

Answer

Maximize benefits

Answer

Respect patient autonomy

Answer

Ensure fairness in care provision

Question 8

The doctrine of double effect suggests that an action may be morally permissible even if it has

Accepted Answer

A foreseen negative consequence

Answer

An intended negative consequence

Answer

An unintended positive consequence

Answer

An unknown outcome

Question 9

The principle of beneficence requires healthcare professionals to

Accepted Answer

Provide treatments that are beneficial to the patient

Answer

Prevent or minimize harm to the patient

Answer

Respect the patient's autonomy

Answer

Distribute resources fairly

Question 10

In palliative care, which ethical principle prioritizes respecting patient choices?

Accepted Answer

Autonomy

Answer

Non-maleficence

Answer

Beneficence

Answer

Justice

Question 11

For patients with dementia or other cognitive impairments, which ethical principle poses the primary challenge in end-of-life care?

Accepted Answer

Deprivation of Autonomy

Answer

Respecting Beneficence

Answer

Avoiding Maleficence

Answer

Ensuring Informed Consent

Question 12

Which ethical principle emphasizes doing good and promoting the well-being of the patient in end-of-life care?

Accepted Answer

Beneficence

Answer

Autonomy

Answer

Non-maleficence

Answer

Justice

Question 13

In the context of end-of-life care, what type of action involves withholding or withdrawing life-sustaining treatment?

Accepted Answer

Passive euthanasia

Answer

Assisted suicide

Answer

Active euthanasia

Answer

Palliative care

Question 14

Which ethical principle underscores the patient's right to make decisions regarding their own healthcare, including end-of-life care?

Accepted Answer

Autonomy

Answer

Justice

Answer

Beneficence

Answer

Non-maleficence

Question 15

When assessing a patient's capacity to make decisions about their end-of-life care, which factor is of primary importance?

Accepted Answer

The patient's ability to understand and appreciate the consequences of their decisions

Answer

The patient's age

Answer

The patient's medical diagnosis

Question 16

In end-of-life care, when there is a conflict between the patient's wishes and the family's wishes, which ethical dilemma arises?

Accepted Answer

Balancing respect for patient autonomy with consideration of family concerns

Answer

Providing appropriate medical treatment

Answer

Ensuring legal compliance

Question 17

Which legal document allows patients to express their wishes regarding end-of-life care?

Accepted Answer

Advance care directive

Answer

Physician's Order for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST)

Answer

Last Will and Testament

Answer

Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order

Question 18

In end-of-life care, what is a defining characteristic of palliative care?

Accepted Answer

Providing comprehensive care that addresses the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of the patient

Answer

Prolonging life by any means

Answer

Curing the underlying disease

Question 19

In providing palliative care in end-of-life care, which ethical issue poses a challenge?

Accepted Answer

Balancing effective symptom management with the risk of over-sedation

Answer

Ensuring the patient's comfort

Answer

Providing emotional support

Question 20

Which of the following is NOT a key ethical principle in end-of-life care?

Accepted Answer

Utility

Answer

Beneficence

Answer

Non-maleficence

Answer

Autonomy

Question 21

The principle of beneficence requires healthcare professionals to:

Accepted Answer

Act in the best interests of their patients

Answer

Respect patients' wishes, even if they conflict with their own beliefs

Answer

Ensure that patients have access to all available treatment options

Answer

Avoid causing harm to patients

Question 22

Which of the following actions is an example of respecting patient autonomy in end-of-life care?

Accepted Answer

Involving patients in decision-making about their care

Answer

Overriding patients' decisions if they are considered to be in their best interests

Answer

Providing patients with all available treatment options, regardless of their wishes

Question 23

The principle of non-maleficence prohibits healthcare professionals from:

Accepted Answer

Intentionally causing harm to patients

Answer

Respecting patients' decisions, even if they conflict with their own beliefs

Answer

Withholding life-sustaining treatment if it is considered to be in the patient's best interests

Answer

Providing patients with information about their condition and prognosis

Question 24

Which of the following is a potential ethical dilemma in end-of-life care?

Accepted Answer

Deciding whether to withhold life-sustaining treatment from a patient who is terminally ill

Answer

Communicating with patients about their diagnosis and prognosis

Answer

Providing patients with palliative care to relieve their symptoms

Question 25

When making ethical decisions in end-of-life care, it is important to consider:

Accepted Answer

The patient's values and preferences, as well as the ethical principles of beneficence, non-maleficence, and autonomy

Answer

Only the patient's values and preferences

Question 26

Which of the following is a benefit of involving patients in decision-making about their end-of-life care?

Accepted Answer

It promotes patient autonomy and self-determination

Answer

It ensures that patients receive the best possible care

Answer

It reduces the risk of legal disputes

Question 27

The principle of double effect allows healthcare professionals to:

Accepted Answer

Intentionally cause a side effect that is not intended, but necessary to achieve a good outcome

Answer

Override patients' decisions if they are considered to be in their best interests

Answer

Withhold life-sustaining treatment from patients who are terminally ill

Question 28

Ethical decision-making in end-of-life care should be based on:

Accepted Answer

Evidence-based practice, patient values, and ethical principles

Answer

Evidence-based practice only

Answer

Patient values only