HCPC Professional Conduct & Ethics 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What are the four principles of biomedical ethics as described by Beauchamp and Childress?
- Autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, justice (Correct answer)
- Honesty, compassion, integrity, skill
- Consent, confidentiality, competence, communication
- Dignity, respect, fairness, equality
Correct answer: Autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, justice
The four principles (principlism) form the foundational framework for healthcare ethics: autonomy (patient self-determination), beneficence (doing good), non-maleficence (avoiding harm), and justice (fairness in resource allocation).
Question 2: A patient refuses a blood transfusion on religious grounds. They have capacity. What is the correct response?
- Respect the refusal — a capacitous adult's right to refuse treatment is absolute (Correct answer)
- Override the refusal as the clinical team knows best
- Seek a court order to proceed with the transfusion
- Involve family members to change the patient's mind
Correct answer: Respect the refusal — a capacitous adult's right to refuse treatment is absolute
Under the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and common law, a competent adult has an absolute right to refuse any medical treatment, even if that refusal leads to death. Healthcare professionals must respect this.
Question 3: Which ethical principle is most relevant when a healthcare professional ensures resources are distributed fairly?
- Justice (Correct answer)
- Autonomy
- Beneficence
- Non-maleficence
Correct answer: Justice
Justice in healthcare ethics refers to the fair distribution of limited resources, equal treatment regardless of personal characteristics, and ensuring systems serve all patients equitably.
Question 4: A patient asks a healthcare professional to lie to their family about their diagnosis. What should the professional do?
- Explain that they cannot lie but will support the patient in managing disclosure on their terms (Correct answer)
- Lie to the family as requested to preserve patient relationship
- Tell the family the truth without the patient's knowledge
- Refuse all further contact with the family
Correct answer: Explain that they cannot lie but will support the patient in managing disclosure on their terms
HCPC standards require honesty and integrity. A professional cannot lie to third parties. However, they can and should support the patient in deciding how, when, and what to disclose to family.
Question 5: What does 'duty of candour' require of HCPC registrants?
- Being open, honest, and transparent with patients and employers when something goes wrong with care (Correct answer)
- Only reporting errors to the employer, not the patient
- Candour is a managerial, not individual professional, obligation
- Only apply when the patient specifically asks what went wrong
Correct answer: Being open, honest, and transparent with patients and employers when something goes wrong with care
The professional duty of candour (embedded in HCPC standards) requires registrants to be open and honest with patients when care goes wrong, including acknowledging the error and offering a sincere apology.
Question 6: A healthcare professional is personally opposed to abortion. What must they do when asked to assist in abortion care?
- May exercise conscientious objection but must ensure the patient receives timely referral to a willing provider (Correct answer)
- May refuse and is not obliged to assist the patient further
- Must assist regardless of personal beliefs
- Must report the patient to the HCPC
Correct answer: May exercise conscientious objection but must ensure the patient receives timely referral to a willing provider
Conscientious objection to legal procedures is recognised but subject to conditions: the professional must not abandon the patient and must ensure they receive timely access to care via referral.
HCPC Professional Conduct & Ethics 1
What are the four principles of biomedical ethics as described by Beauchamp and Childress?