NRP Ethical Considerations 2

Question 1

A baby is born at 22 weeks gestation with no signs of life after 10 minutes of resuscitation. What is the most ethically appropriate next step?

Accepted Answer

Discontinue resuscitation and focus on comfort care

Answer

After 10 minutes of no signs of life, discontinuing resuscitation and focusing on comfort care is ethically supported by NRP guidelines.

Question 2

Which ethical principle is most directly violated when a healthcare team resuscitates a neonate against clearly documented parental wishes?

Accepted Answer

Autonomy

Answer

Proceeding against documented parental wishes violates autonomy, the principle that respects the decision-making rights of patients and their surrogates.

Question 3

When parents and physicians disagree about resuscitation at the threshold of viability, what is the recommended approach?

Accepted Answer

Ethics committee consultation should be sought

Answer

Ethics committee consultation provides a structured process to navigate disagreements between families and care teams about resuscitation decisions.

Question 4

A neonate born at 23 weeks has an antenatal consultation. The parents request full resuscitation despite a poor prognosis. What is the most appropriate response?

Accepted Answer

Honor the request and attempt resuscitation

Answer

At 23 weeks, survival is possible and parental wishes for full resuscitation should be honored as resuscitation is considered an option in this gestational range.

Question 5

What does the ethical principle of 'non-maleficence' require in neonatal resuscitation?

Accepted Answer

Avoiding interventions that cause more harm than benefit

Answer

Non-maleficence requires that clinicians avoid interventions whose burdens outweigh their benefits, which is central to decisions about resuscitation.

NRP - Neonatal Resuscitation Program Practice Test

NRP - Neonatal Resuscitation Program Practice Test

NRP Ethical Considerations 2