MHA - Master of Healthcare Administration Professionalism and Ethics Questions and Answers

Question 1

A hospital administrator must develop a policy for allocating a single available ICU bed during a public health crisis. The primary candidates are a young patient with a high probability of full recovery and an elderly patient who is a significant financial donor to the hospital. Basing the allocation policy on criteria such as medical need and likelihood of benefit, while excluding social worth, reflects which core ethical principle?

Accepted Answer

Justice

Answer

The principle of justice in healthcare ethics pertains to the fair and equitable distribution of resources and benefits. Creating a policy based on objective medical criteria rather than social status or financial contribution ensures that scarce resources are allocated fairly, which is the essence of distributive justice.

Question 2

According to the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) Code of Ethics, which of the following is a healthcare executive's primary responsibility to the profession?

Accepted Answer

Upholding the standards and ethics of healthcare management and promoting the development of others in the field.

Answer

The ACHE Code of Ethics explicitly outlines responsibilities to the profession, which include honoring the code, conducting professional activities with honesty and integrity, and mentoring colleagues, thereby advancing the standards and practices of healthcare management as a whole.

Question 3

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) of a hospital system has a significant personal investment in a medical supply company. The hospital's purchasing department is about to sign a major contract with this same company. What is the most appropriate initial action for the COO to take to demonstrate ethical professionalism?

Accepted Answer

Fully disclose the financial interest to the board and recuse themselves from any involvement in the decision-making process.

Answer

The foundational step in managing a conflict of interest is transparency and removal of influence. The COO must fully disclose the potential conflict to the organization's leadership and withdraw entirely from the deliberation and decision-making process to ensure the hospital's best interests are prioritized.

Question 4

A healthcare administrator is leading a comprehensive review of the organization's ethics and compliance program. According to guidance from the Office of Inspector General (OIG), which of the following is a fundamental element of an effective compliance program?

Accepted Answer

Implementing a system for conducting routine auditing and monitoring of compliance risks and responding to detected offenses.

Answer

The OIG lists seven fundamental elements for an effective compliance program. A key element is conducting internal monitoring and auditing to assess compliance risks and ensure adherence to policies. It also requires having a system to respond promptly to detected problems and undertake corrective action.

Question 5

The CEO of a non-profit hospital is presented with an offer to sell an underutilized hospital-owned property to a luxury retail developer for a price well above market value. The proceeds would greatly improve the hospital's financial position. However, the community has a documented shortage of affordable housing for seniors. The CEO's fiduciary duty requires them to:

Accepted Answer

Evaluate all options based on what best serves the hospital's long-term mission and financial stability.

Answer

Fiduciary duty for a non-profit executive is to the organization's mission and its long-term health, not solely to maximizing profit. This requires a balanced evaluation of how a major decision aligns with both the charitable mission (which includes community health) and the need for financial sustainability.

MHA - Master of Healthcare Administration Practice Test

MHA - Master of Healthcare Administration Practice Test

MHA - Master of Healthcare Administration Professionalism and Ethics Questions and Answers