Test on Patient Preferences in Clinical Ethics
Patient Preferences in Clinical Ethics: A Student Guide
Test: Patient Preferences and Autonomy, Informed consent: Patient rights, Informed consent: Clinical ethics, Disclosure of Medical Errors, Clinical Ethics and Decision-Making Capacity, Assessment of Decision-Making Capacity, Refusal of treatment, Surrogate decision-making, Advance care planning, Professional obligations, Complementary medicine, Pediatric ethics
20 questions
Question 1: When a patient's preferences are known, the substituted judgment standard requires the surrogate to use this knowledge in making medical decisions.
A. Ano
B. Ne
Explanation: The study materials state that 'substituted judgment' is when the patient’s preferences are known, and the surrogate must use this knowledge in making medical decisions.
Question 2: According to the study materials, which method for identifying a surrogate decision-maker takes precedence over all other parties, including immediate family members?
A. A spouse, as they are typically ranked first by state legislation.
B. A person appointed by the patient through a durable power of attorney.
C. A legal guardian or conservator appointed by a judge.
D. The ethics committee of the hospital where the patient is admitted.
Explanation: The study materials state that 'Statutes authorize persons to appoint their own surrogates, or holders of durable powers of attorney... These appointed surrogates supercede any other party, including immediate family members.' This clearly establishes that a patient's self-appointed surrogate has the highest precedence.
Question 3: Does a durable power of attorney for health care, authorized by state statutes, grant legal priority to the designated agent over all other parties, including next of kin?
A. Ano
B. Ne
Explanation: The study materials state that statutes authorizing a durable power of attorney for health care "give legal priority to the designated agent over all other parties, including next of kin."
Question 4: According to state legislation, which of the following is a primary characteristic of a 'Directive to Physicians'?
A. It is typically a less formal document than a living will, often handwritten.
B. It is a statutory document that affirms a person's right to make decisions about terminal care.
C. It solely focuses on the appointment of a designated decision-maker, without detailing treatment preferences.
D. It is only valid if created in conjunction with a Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST) form.
Explanation: The study materials state that 'Directive to Physicians in State Legislation' are statutes passed by state legislatures that affirm a person’s right to make decisions regarding terminal care and provide directions about how that right can be effected after the loss of decision-making capacity. Living wills are described as 'less formal, less legalistic fashion than the statutory document described above'.
Question 5: When a physician withdraws from a patient's case, there is a legal obligation to arrange for another physician to provide ongoing care for that patient.
A. Ano
B. Ne
Explanation: The study materials state that a physician is not legally obliged to arrange for further care from another physician when withdrawing from a case. However, there is a legal obligation to provide full medical records to the new attending physician if one is found.