End-of-Life Care and Decision-Making: Ethical and Legal Considerations

Question 1

Which legal document cannot express an individual's preferences for end-of-life care?

Accepted Answer

Last will and testament

Answer

Living will

Answer

Durable power of attorney for healthcare

Answer

Do-not-resuscitate (DNR) order

Question 2

Which ethical principle emphasizes valuing an individual's ability to make personal healthcare decisions?

Accepted Answer

Autonomy

Answer

Beneficence

Answer

Non-maleficence

Answer

Justice

Question 3

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

Accepted Answer

Alleviating suffering and enhancing quality of life

Answer

Extending life indefinitely

Answer

Providing emotional and spiritual support

Answer

Hastening death

Question 4

Which factor does NOT influence healthcare professionals' decision-making in end-of-life care?

Accepted Answer

Financial incentives

Answer

Patient's preferences

Answer

Ethical and legal guidelines

Answer

Personal beliefs

Question 5

What primary function does a durable power of attorney for healthcare serve?

Accepted Answer

Making healthcare decisions for an incapacitated individual

Answer

Providing legal protection for healthcare providers

Answer

Ensuring an individual's end-of-life wishes are honored

Answer

Managing an individual's financial affairs

Question 6

Explain the distinction between a living will and a DNR order.

Accepted Answer

A living will covers general medical treatment preferences, while a DNR order focuses on resuscitation specifically

Answer

A DNR order holds more legal weight compared to a living will

Answer

Only terminally ill individuals can create a living will

Answer

Living wills and DNR orders serve the same purpose

Question 7

Which of these is NOT a recognized form of advance directive?

Accepted Answer

Do Not Resuscitate Order (DNR)

Answer

Living Will

Answer

Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare

Answer

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

Question 8

True or False: Patients have the right to refuse medical treatment, even if it is considered medically necessary.

Accepted Answer

True

Answer

False

Question 9

Which of the following is a primary aim of palliative care?

Accepted Answer

To alleviate suffering and maintain comfort

Answer

To cure the underlying condition

Answer

To prolong life by any means necessary

Answer

To prepare the patient for a specific time of death

Question 10

Euthanasia is defined as:

Accepted Answer

Intentionally ending a patient's life to relieve suffering

Answer

Withdrawing or withholding life-sustaining treatment

Answer

Providing comfort and support to a dying patient

Answer

Making decisions on behalf of an incompetent patient

Question 11

Which of the following factors is NOT taken into account when assessing a patient's decision-making capacity?

Accepted Answer

Level of education

Answer

Age

Answer

Cognitive abilities

Answer

Emotional state

Question 12

True or False: Healthcare professionals are ethically obligated to honor a patient's end-of-life wishes, even if they personally disagree with them.

Accepted Answer

True

Answer

False

Question 13

What is the primary responsibility of a Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare?

Accepted Answer

To make healthcare decisions on behalf of an incapacitated patient

Answer

To provide medical advice to the patient

Answer

To advocate for the patient's rights

Answer

To consent to medical procedures on the patient's behalf

Question 14

Which of the following is a characteristic of holistic end-of-life care?

Accepted Answer

Involves a collaborative team approach

Answer

Focuses solely on prolonging life at any cost

Answer

Is only provided in hospice settings

Answer

Is initiated only when a patient is terminally ill

Question 15

Which ethical consideration is least important in end-of-life care?

Accepted Answer

Preserving life at all costs

Answer

Respecting patient autonomy

Answer

Preventing unnecessary suffering

Answer

Ensuring patient comfort

Question 16

Palliative care focuses primarily on:

Accepted Answer

Relieving pain and suffering

Answer

Curing illnesses

Answer

Prolonging life

Answer

Making end-of-life decisions

Question 17

The ethical principle of non-maleficence in end-of-life care implies that:

Accepted Answer

Treatment should prioritize preventing harm to the patient

Answer

Physicians must always prioritize patient autonomy

Answer

Patients have the right to refuse life-sustaining treatment

Answer

Euthanasia is morally justifiable in some cases

Question 18

The double effect doctrine in end-of-life care refers to:

Accepted Answer

Intentionally causing death as a side effect of pain medication

Answer

Withholding or withdrawing life-sustaining treatment

Answer

Providing palliative care without discussing end-of-life wishes

Answer

Administering lethal injections to patients who request it

Question 19

Factors considered in determining the quality of life for end-of-life patients do NOT include:

Accepted Answer

Material possessions

Answer

Physical health

Answer

Mental well-being

Answer

Social support

Question 20

'DNR' in end-of-life care means:

Accepted Answer

Do not resuscitate

Answer

Do not intubate

Answer

Do not administer CPR

Answer

Do not hospitalize

Question 21

Which of the following is NOT a strategy used by healthcare professionals to provide emotional support during end-of-life care?

Accepted Answer

Passing Judgment

Answer

Active Listening

Answer

Validation

Question 22

In the debate surrounding the legalization of euthanasia, which ethical principle is central to the argument in favor of its legalization?

Accepted Answer

Autonomy

Answer

Non-maleficence

Answer

Beneficence

Answer

Justice

Question 23

Which ethical theory prioritizes fulfilling obligations and duties, irrespective of the outcomes?

Accepted Answer

Deontology

Answer

Consequentialism

Answer

Virtue Ethics

Question 24

When providing end-of-life care, it's important to be culturally sensitive. What's the best way to do this?

Accepted Answer

Learn about and respect the patient's cultural background and beliefs

Answer

Ignore cultural differences and treat all patients the same

Answer

Impose your own values and beliefs on the patient

Question 25

What are the potential legal consequences for healthcare professionals who withdraw or withhold life-sustaining treatment?

Accepted Answer

Healthcare professionals may face legal repercussions if they withdraw or withhold life-sustaining treatment without the patient's consent or legal authorization.

Answer

Healthcare professionals are not legally responsible for any negative outcomes resulting from withdrawing or withholding life-sustaining treatment.

Answer

Healthcare professionals are legally required to provide life-sustaining treatment to all patients, even if they express a desire to withdraw it.

Answer

Withdrawing or withholding life-sustaining treatment is considered a criminal offense in all cases.

Question 26

Involving family members in end-of-life decisions raises ethical concerns. Which consideration is most crucial?

Accepted Answer

Balancing patient wishes with family perspectives and values.

Answer

Respecting patient autonomy, even if it means excluding family.

Answer

Including family only when the patient cannot make decisions.

Answer

Prioritizing family wishes over patient preferences.

Question 27

Palliative care primarily focuses on:

Accepted Answer

Providing comfort, reducing symptoms, and improving quality of life for patients facing life-limiting illnesses.

Answer

Offering psychological support solely to family members

Answer

Curing the underlying disease

Question 28

When making end-of-life care decisions, patient involvement should be encouraged and prioritized to the extent that they are:

Accepted Answer

Competent, willing, and able to participate in the decision-making process.

Answer

Mandated by legal requirements

Answer

Deemed appropriate by the healthcare team

Answer

Requested by their family members

Question 29

In discussions about end-of-life care options, a crucial step for healthcare professionals is to:

Accepted Answer

Explore the patient's values, beliefs, and goals to tailor the conversation accordingly.

Answer

Solely present medically recommended options without considering the patient's preferences.

Answer

Make the decision on behalf of the patient, overriding their wishes and preferences.

Answer

Focus solely on the negative aspects of each option, potentially influencing the patient's decision.

Question 30

The primary objective of hospice care is to provide:

Accepted Answer

Comfort, support, and palliative care during the final stages of life, focusing on improving the patient's quality of life.

Answer

Extending the patient's life expectancy beyond what is medically possible.

Answer

Curing the underlying illness that led to the patient's terminal condition.

Question 31

Which of the following is a potential advantage of advance care planning?

Accepted Answer

Reducing uncertainty and alleviating anxiety surrounding end-of-life care decisions for both the patient and their loved ones.

Answer

Eliminating the need for family discussions about end-of-life care preferences.

Answer

Guaranteeing that all end-of-life wishes will be carried out exactly as planned.

Question 32

The primary role of a healthcare proxy is to:

Accepted Answer

Make medical decisions on behalf of an incapacitated patient, ensuring their wishes are respected and followed.

Answer

Ensure that the patient's end-of-life preferences are carried out, regardless of their current capacity to make decisions.

Answer

Provide emotional support to the patient's family and loved ones.

Question 33

What is the main purpose of a do-not-resuscitate (DNR) order?

Accepted Answer

To provide clear instructions to healthcare providers not to perform CPR or other life-sustaining measures in the event of cardiac or respiratory arrest.

Answer

To serve as a general indication of the patient's end-of-life wishes

Answer

To appoint a healthcare proxy to make medical decisions on the patient's behalf

Question 34

Which advance directive authorizes a designated individual to make healthcare decisions on behalf of another person who is unable to do so?

Accepted Answer

Durable power of attorney for healthcare

Answer

Living will

Answer

Do-not-resuscitate order

Answer

Organ donation card

Question 35

In end-of-life care, which ethical principle is essential for guiding decision-making?

Accepted Answer

Respect for patient autonomy and avoiding harm

Answer

Doing good and promoting fairness

Answer

Telling the truth and keeping promises

Answer

Protecting privacy and doing good

Question 36

What is the primary purpose of palliative care?

Accepted Answer

To improve quality of life and relieve suffering for individuals facing serious illness

Answer

To make end-of-life decisions for patients who are unable to do so

Answer

To provide spiritual and emotional support to patients and their families

Answer

To cure or reverse the underlying disease

Question 37

According to the Patient Self-Determination Act (PSDA), when must healthcare providers inform patients of their right to complete advance directives?

Accepted Answer

Upon admission to any healthcare facility or hospital

Answer

When a patient is diagnosed with a terminal illness

Answer

At the end of a patient's life

Answer

Only upon a patient's request

Question 38

Which of the following is considered an example of non-voluntary euthanasia?

Accepted Answer

Withholding treatment from an unconscious patient without an advance directive

Answer

Offering hospice care to a patient with a terminal illness

Answer

Assisting a patient in suicide

Answer

Administering a lethal injection at a patient's request

Question 39

Which principle in healthcare law and ethics gives individuals the right to make decisions about their own medical care?

Accepted Answer

Autonomy

Answer

Non-maleficence

Answer

Justice

Answer

Beneficence

Question 40

What is a primary benefit of advance care planning?

Accepted Answer

It reduces the burden and stress on family members and healthcare providers during end-of-life care

Answer

It allows individuals to avoid end-of-life decisions altogether

Answer

It guarantees a specific treatment outcome

Answer

It eliminates the need for ongoing medical care

Question 41

The Declaration on the Rights of the Dying emphasizes the right of a patient to:

Accepted Answer

Die with dignity and respect

Answer

Receive any treatment they desire, regardless of cost or effectiveness

Answer

Have their family members make all medical decisions on their behalf

Answer

Live indefinitely

Question 42

Which healthcare professional is primarily responsible for providing guidance and support to patients facing end-of-life decisions?

Accepted Answer

Palliative care physician

Answer

Clergy member

Answer

Social worker

Answer

Hospice nurse

Question 43

In making end-of-life decisions, which factor should be the primary consideration?

Accepted Answer

The patient's values, preferences, and goals

Answer

The cost of medical care

Answer

The healthcare provider's personal beliefs

Answer

Societal norms and expectations

Question 44

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

Accepted Answer

Curing the patient

Answer

Promoting open communication

Answer

Relieving suffering

Answer

Respecting patient autonomy

Question 45

A living will is a legal document that:

Accepted Answer

States a person's wishes regarding their future medical care when they are unable to make decisions for themselves

Answer

Designates a healthcare proxy

Answer

Must be witnessed by a lawyer

Question 46

Which of the following is a goal of palliative care?

Accepted Answer

Improving the quality of life of patients with serious illnesses by managing their symptoms

Answer

Prolonging life at all costs

Answer

Curing diseases

Question 47

Euthanasia is:

Accepted Answer

The intentional ending of a person's life to relieve unbearable suffering, typically at their request

Answer

A form of suicide

Answer

Legal in all 50 states in the U.S.

Question 48

In the case of a patient who is unable to make their own decisions about end-of-life care, the decision-making authority typically falls to:

Accepted Answer

A designated healthcare proxy, as outlined in an advance directive

Answer

The patient's family

Answer

The physician

Answer

A court

Question 49

Which of the following ethical principles is most central to end-of-life decision-making?

Accepted Answer

Autonomy

Answer

Beneficence

Answer

Non-maleficence

Answer

Justice

Question 50

Informed consent in the context of end-of-life care requires that:

Accepted Answer

The patient has the capacity to understand their diagnosis, treatment options, and potential outcomes, and voluntarily agrees to the proposed care plan

Answer

The physician obtain written consent for every decision

Answer

The patient agrees to all recommended treatments

Question 51

The term 'palliative sedation' refers to:

Accepted Answer

The use of medication to relieve suffering and promote comfort in patients near the end of life, even if it may hasten their death

Answer

A type of euthanasia

Answer

A form of hospice care