End-of-Life Care and Euthanasia: Ethical Considerations and Practices

Question 1

Which fundamental principle is NOT included in end-of-life care ethics?

Accepted Answer

Equity and social justice

Answer

Respect for patient autonomy

Answer

Beneficence and non-maleficence

Answer

Respect for human dignity

Question 2

What is a key ethical distinction between euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide?

Accepted Answer

Euthanasia involves a doctor actively ending a patient's life, whereas physician-assisted suicide involves the patient self-administering the lethal medication.

Answer

Physician-assisted suicide is legal in more countries than euthanasia.

Answer

Euthanasia requires the explicit consent of the patient, while physician-assisted suicide does not.

Answer

Physician-assisted suicide is only available to terminally ill patients, while euthanasia is available to all patients.

Question 3

Which argument in favor of euthanasia emphasizes individual autonomy and choice?

Accepted Answer

It allows individuals to end their suffering and die with dignity.

Answer

It reduces the burden on healthcare systems.

Answer

It promotes social justice and equality.

Answer

It is the most compassionate option for all terminally ill patients.

Question 4

What is a primary objective of palliative care?

Accepted Answer

To relieve pain and suffering.

Answer

To cure or reverse life-limiting illnesses.

Answer

To prolong life at all costs.

Answer

To prepare patients for death.

Question 5

Which ethical principle emphasizes adhering to moral rules and duties?

Accepted Answer

Deontology

Answer

Utilitarianism

Answer

Virtue ethics

Answer

Casuistry

Question 6

Which ethical principle asserts that the patient's self-determination should be prioritized?

Accepted Answer

Autonomy

Answer

Beneficence

Answer

Justice

Answer

Non-maleficence

Question 7

Cancer is often cited as a common reason for requests for physician-assisted suicide. True or False?

Accepted Answer

True

Answer

False

Question 8

The primary goal of palliative care is to:

Accepted Answer

Alleviate suffering and enhance quality of life

Answer

Cure the underlying disease

Answer

Expedite the patient's death

Answer

Provide bereavement support to the patient's family

Question 9

Which argument in favor of euthanasia emphasizes respect for patient autonomy?

Accepted Answer

It respects patient autonomy

Answer

It reduces pain and suffering

Answer

It saves healthcare costs

Answer

It prevents suicide

Question 10

Which of the following is an ethical principle NOT specifically relevant to end-of-life care?

Accepted Answer

Distributive justice (fair allocation of resources)

Answer

Respect for patient autonomy

Answer

Non-maleficence (doing no harm)

Answer

Beneficence (doing good)

Question 11

Euthanasia, as defined by medical ethics, refers to:

Accepted Answer

Intentionally ending a person's life to relieve their suffering

Answer

Withdrawing or withholding life-sustaining treatment from a patient

Answer

Providing palliative care to alleviate symptoms and improve quality of life

Answer

Counseling patients and their families on end-of-life options

Question 12

Which of the following scenarios exemplifies a non-voluntary euthanasia situation?

Accepted Answer

A patient in a persistent vegetative state has no legal guardian to make decisions on their behalf

Answer

A patient with dementia explicitly expresses their wish to end their life

Answer

A patient who is mentally competent signs a living will stating their desire to not be resuscitated if they become terminally ill

Answer

A patient who is experiencing unbearable pain and requests physician-assisted suicide

Question 13

What is the primary objective of palliative care?

Accepted Answer

Relieving suffering and enhancing quality of life for patients with life-limiting illnesses

Answer

Treating the underlying disease process

Answer

Prolonging life by all means possible, regardless of patient preferences

Answer

Providing spiritual and emotional support for patients and their families facing end-of-life issues

Question 14

Which ethical model in end-of-life care places the highest priority on respecting the wishes and values of the patient?

Accepted Answer

Autonomy-based model

Answer

Paternalistic model

Answer

Communitarian model

Answer

Principle-based model

Question 15

In the context of voluntary euthanasia, the principle of autonomy primarily emphasizes that:

Accepted Answer

Competent individuals have the right to make decisions about their own end-of-life care, including the choice to undergo voluntary euthanasia.

Answer

Patients have an absolute right to end their lives, regardless of the circumstances.

Answer

Euthanasia should be legalized in all cases, as it is a matter of personal choice.

Answer

The principle of autonomy is not relevant to the ethical considerations surrounding voluntary euthanasia.

Question 16

How do cultural and religious beliefs and values influence societal views on euthanasia and other end-of-life practices?

Accepted Answer

Define acceptable and unacceptable ways to end life.

Accepted Answer

Provide a framework for making decisions.

Accepted Answer

Influence legal and policy frameworks.

Answer

Have no significant impact.

Question 17

In end-of-life care, what is the main reason for obtaining informed consent?

Accepted Answer

To ensure patients fully understand their treatment options and can make their own decisions about their care.

Answer

To protect healthcare professionals from legal issues related to end-of-life decisions.

Answer

To make sure all family members agree with the end-of-life decisions made.

Answer

To limit the need for informed consent to cases involving euthanasia or physician-assisted suicide.

Question 18

What is the primary objective of palliative care in end-of-life situations?

Accepted Answer

To enhance the patient's quality of life by actively managing their symptoms and providing comfort

Answer

To provide emotional support exclusively to the patient's family members

Answer

To prolong the patient's life at all costs, regardless of their wishes or quality of life

Answer

To cure the underlying medical condition responsible for the patient's suffering

Question 19

Which of the following ethical arguments commonly supports euthanasia?

Accepted Answer

Respect for patient autonomy and their right to die with dignity

Answer

The notion that euthanasia is a form of murder

Answer

The belief that ending life is always morally wrong

Answer

The argument that legalizing euthanasia will lead to a devaluation of human life

Question 20

Discuss a potential benefit of legalizing euthanasia.

Accepted Answer

It can offer individuals with terminal illnesses a safe and dignified way to end their suffering and exercise control over the end of their lives.

Answer

Legalizing euthanasia will decrease the overall number of suicides.

Question 21

Which of the following is a fundamental ethical principle that guides end-of-life care decision-making?

Accepted Answer

尊重自主權

Answer

公正

Answer

不作惡

Answer

行善

Question 22

根據美國法律，醫師協助自殺的合法性為何?

Accepted Answer

在某些州屬合法

Answer

在所有州屬皆合法

Answer

在所有州屬皆非法

Answer

僅在絕症情況下合法

Question 23

安寧療護的益處為何?

Accepted Answer

為末期患者提供慰藉和支持

Answer

涉及積極治療

Answer

治癒或延長生命

Question 24

安樂死和緩和照護之間的差異為何?

Accepted Answer

安樂死意在結束患者的生命，而緩和照護專注於提供舒適及症狀管理

Answer

緩和照護是主動安樂死，而安樂死是被動的

Question 25

通常參與末期照護決策制定的人員為何?

Accepted Answer

患者、家屬、醫療保健專業人員和倫理委員會

Answer

僅患者

Answer

僅醫療保健專業人員

Question 26

生前預囑是什麼?

Accepted Answer

載明患者末期照護意願的法律文件

Answer

概述患者病史的文件

Answer

指定醫療委託人的文件

Question 27

倫理委員會在末期照護中的角色為何?

Accepted Answer

檢視複雜的倫理議題，並為醫療保健專業人員和患者提供指引

Answer

替患者做出末期照護決策

Answer

為患者提供法律諮詢

Question 28

在末期照護中，"雙重效果"的概念是什麼?

Accepted Answer

故意執行一項既有益處也有害處的作為，而且其益處大於其害處

Answer

在不提供任何醫療介入的情況下，讓患者自然死亡

Question 29

在評估安樂死的倫理許可性時，應考量哪些因素?

Accepted Answer

患者自主權、生活品質和濫用潛力

Answer

僅醫療預後

Answer

僅宗教信仰