AAMC Medical Ethics and Professionalism 2

Question 1

Which ethical framework focuses primarily on duties, rules, and obligations regardless of consequences?

Accepted Answer

Deontology

Answer

Utilitarianism

Answer

Virtue ethics

Answer

Consequentialism

Question 2

When a patient lacks decision-making capacity and has no advance directive, who typically serves as the surrogate decision-maker?

Accepted Answer

The closest available next of kin

Answer

The attending physician

Answer

The hospital ethics committee

Answer

A court-appointed legal guardian only

Question 3

Medical futility is best defined as a treatment that:

Accepted Answer

Cannot reasonably be expected to provide patient benefit or achieve the goals of care

Answer

Is too expensive for the patient to afford

Answer

Is experimental and not yet approved by the FDA

Answer

Requires informed consent from more than one family member

Question 4

Which of the following best exemplifies the principle of justice in healthcare?

Accepted Answer

Distributing healthcare resources fairly across a population

Answer

A physician always telling patients the truth about their diagnosis

Answer

Minimizing side effects when prescribing a new medication

Answer

Obtaining a patient's signature before surgery

Question 5

A physician who continues to provide care to a patient without the patient's consent after the patient has clearly terminated the relationship may be guilty of:

Accepted Answer

Assault

Answer

Medical futility

Answer

Patient abandonment

Answer

Breach of confidentiality

Question 6

Which of the following is a key distinction between voluntary active euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide?

Accepted Answer

In physician-assisted suicide, the patient self-administers the means provided by the physician

Answer

In physician-assisted suicide, the physician administers the lethal agent directly

Answer

In active euthanasia, the patient self-administers the means provided by the physician

Answer

There is no meaningful ethical distinction between the two

Question 7

Which document specifically records a patient's wishes regarding life-sustaining treatment in the event they become incapacitated?

Accepted Answer

A living will

Answer

A HIPAA authorization form

Answer

A physician's standing order

Answer

A durable power of attorney for finances