NZREX Professional Ethics

Question 1

Which of the four pillars of medical ethics refers to the obligation to act in the patient's best interest?

Accepted Answer

Beneficence

Answer

Non-maleficence

Answer

Autonomy

Answer

Justice

Question 2

A junior doctor witnesses a colleague arriving to work smelling of alcohol. What is the most appropriate action?

Accepted Answer

Report the concern to a senior colleague or supervisor immediately to protect patient safety

Answer

Say nothing as it may damage the colleague's career

Answer

Ask the colleague privately if they are okay and take no further action

Answer

Wait to see if any adverse events occur before reporting

Question 3

Which of the following best describes 'double effect' in medical ethics?

Accepted Answer

An action intended for a good effect that has a foreseen but unintended harmful effect — morally permissible if the harm is proportionate

Answer

Deliberately causing harm to achieve a benefit

Answer

Deceiving a patient for their own good

Answer

Withholding treatment to allow natural death

Question 4

A patient discloses in confidence that they intend to seriously harm a specific person. What is the most appropriate action?

Accepted Answer

Warn the identifiable potential victim and notify police, overriding confidentiality due to serious risk of harm

Answer

Maintain confidentiality absolutely — no exceptions

Answer

Inform the patient's family only

Answer

Document the disclosure and take no further action

Question 5

What does the term 'futility' mean in the context of end-of-life medical decision-making?

Accepted Answer

Treatment that provides no physiological benefit or cannot achieve the patient's goals of care

Answer

Treatment that is too expensive for the health system

Answer

Refusing treatment because the patient is elderly

Answer

Withholding treatment at the family's request

Question 6

Which ethical framework best describes the view that the right action is the one that produces the greatest good for the greatest number?

Accepted Answer

Utilitarianism

Answer

Deontology

Answer

Virtue ethics

Answer

Principlism