CT Bioethics & End-of-Life Decisions 3

Question 1

The Terri Schiavo case highlighted which central bioethical conflict?

Accepted Answer

Tension between surrogate decision-making authority and state interest in preserving life

Answer

Schiavo exemplified the conflict between a spouse-surrogate's right to withdraw life support and state legislation attempting to override that decision in favor of preserving life.

Question 2

A thanatologist is consulted when a Muslim family refuses autopsy for their deceased relative. The medical examiner requires autopsy due to unclear cause of death. Which framework best guides this conflict?

Accepted Answer

Cultural humility combined with institutional legal counsel to explore legally permissible alternatives

Answer

Cultural humility acknowledges religious concerns while legal consultation identifies whether exceptions or alternatives (imaging, external exam) satisfy statutory requirements.

Question 3

Which of the following actions is most consistent with the ethical principle of nonmaleficence in end-of-life care?

Accepted Answer

Discontinuing a painful procedure that offers no clinical benefit

Answer

Nonmaleficence requires avoiding harm; discontinuing a burdensome, benefit-free procedure directly prevents ongoing suffering without therapeutic gain.

Question 4

The Patient Self-Determination Act (PSDA) of 1990 requires healthcare facilities that receive Medicare/Medicaid funding to:

Accepted Answer

Inform patients of their right to make advance directives upon admission

Answer

The PSDA mandates that covered facilities inform patients at admission of their right to accept or refuse treatment and to complete advance directives.

Question 5

In the context of informed consent for end-of-life decisions, 'decisional capacity' requires that the patient:

Accepted Answer

Understand information, appreciate consequences, reason about options, and communicate a choice

Answer

Decisional capacity has four components: understanding, appreciation, reasoning/deliberation, and communication of a stable choice.

(CT) Certified Thanatologist Practice Test

(CT) Certified Thanatologist Practice Test

CT Bioethics & End-of-Life Decisions 3