Biomedical Ethics: Ethical Principles & Theories APPLICATION (quiz 3 prep)

A patient is given information about several treatment options and decides which option to accept. Which ethical principle is demonstrated?

Autonomy: Respecting the patient's right to make informed decisions about their own healthcare.

A physician recommends a treatment because it is expected to improve the patient's health and well-being. Which ethical principle is demonstrated?

Beneficence: Acting to promote the patient's well-being and provide benefit.

A healthcare provider decides not to perform a procedure because the potential complications are greater than the expected benefit. Which ethical principle is demonstrated?

Nonmaleficence: The obligation to avoid or minimize harm to the patient.

A hospital creates a policy to distribute limited medical resources fairly among patients. Which ethical principle is demonstrated?

Justice: Promoting fairness and equitable treatment in healthcare.

A physician must decide whether to provide a treatment that is unlikely to accomplish its intended medical goal. Which Medical Indications issue is being considered?

Medical futility or non-beneficial treatment: Determining whether treatment is likely to provide meaningful benefit.

A healthcare professional follows a professional obligation even though another choice might produce a more desirable outcome. Which ethical theory does this represent?

Deontology: A duty-based theory that emphasizes obligations, rules, and responsibilities.

A healthcare team selects a treatment because it is expected to produce the most favorable overall outcome for the patient. Which ethical theory is being applied?

Consequentialism: An ethical theory that evaluates actions based on their expected outcomes or consequences.

A healthcare provider considers compassion, honesty, integrity, and professional character when deciding how to handle a difficult patient situation. Which ethical theory is represented?

Virtue Ethics: An ethical theory focused on moral character and virtues.

A physician weighs whether aggressive treatment is likely to extend life while also considering the physical suffering it may cause. Which ethical approach is being used?

Consequentialism: The decision considers the potential benefits and harms that may result from treatment.

A physician believes that providing a particular intervention would violate an important professional responsibility, even though the patient's family is requesting it. Which ethical theory is most closely associated with this reasoning?

Deontology: The focus is on fulfilling professional duties and obligations.

A physician demonstrates empathy and integrity while helping a family make a difficult end-of-life decision. Which ethical theory is reflected?

Virtue Ethics: The focus is on the healthcare professional's character and virtues.

A patient has a condition in which additional aggressive treatment is very unlikely to change the outcome. What ethical concern does this raise?

Medical futility: The concern is whether continued treatment can provide meaningful benefit or instead create unnecessary burdens.

A patient has previously expressed that they do not want CPR if their heart stops. The healthcare team uses this information when making an emergency care decision. What ethical issue is involved?

CPR/DNR decision-making: Decisions about resuscitation should consider the patient's wishes, medical condition, and expected outcomes.

A healthcare team reviews a patient's diagnosis, prognosis, treatment goals, and available interventions before recommending a course of care. Which Four-Box category is being examined?

Medical Indications: This category focuses on the patient's medical condition, prognosis, treatment options, and expected clinical outcomes.

A healthcare provider asks whether a proposed intervention is likely to help the patient or simply expose the patient to additional risk and suffering. Which two ethical principles are especially relevant?

Beneficence and Nonmaleficence: Beneficence concerns providing benefit, while nonmaleficence concerns avoiding harm.

Which approach uses beneficence, nonmaleficence, autonomy, and justice to analyze clinical ethical situations?

Principlism: A biomedical ethics framework that applies the four major ethical principles to clinical decision-making.

A decision is based primarily on what a healthcare professional is obligated to do rather than on whether the outcome is favorable. Which theory is being used?

Deontology: Ethical decisions are based on duties, obligations, and rules.

A decision is based primarily on which option will produce the greatest benefit and least harm. Which theory is being used?

Consequentialism: Ethical decisions are evaluated according to their consequences or outcomes.

A decision is based on what a compassionate, honest, and morally responsible healthcare professional would do. Which theory is being used?

Virtue Ethics: Ethical decision-making is guided by the character and virtues of the decision-maker.

When determining whether aggressive treatment should continue, the healthcare team considers the patient's prognosis and whether treatment can accomplish its intended goal. What part of the Four-Box Method is most directly involved?

Medical Indications: The focus is on diagnosis, prognosis, treatment options, goals, and expected outcomes.

A healthcare professional must determine whether continuing a treatment is more likely to help the patient or cause additional suffering. What type of ethical reasoning is involved?

Beneficence and Nonmaleficence: The decision requires balancing the patient's potential benefit against possible harm.

A patient reaches the end stage of an illness, and the healthcare team must determine whether life-sustaining interventions remain medically appropriate. What major Medical Indications issue may be involved?

Medical futility or non-beneficial treatment: The team must consider whether continued intervention can provide meaningful benefit.