ATI LPN
Ethics and Legal Issues in Healthcare Questions
Question 1 of 5
Besides informational, physical, decisional, and proprietary privacy, Beauchamp and Childress propose the following kind of privacy as important in medical ethics:
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Confidentiality is emphasized as a critical aspect of privacy in medical ethics, ensuring sensitive information remains protected.
Question 2 of 5
You have a patient with a strong family history of breast cancer. As a matter of the patient's request, you perform a BRCA genetic test to see if there is an increased risk for breast cancer. The patient's employer is requesting a copy of any genetic testing that may have been done. What should you do?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The employer has no right to the patient's genetic information unless it directly impacts job performance or safety, which it does not in this case. Patient confidentiality must be maintained.
Question 3 of 5
A 67-year-old woman is diagnosed with breast cancer. She is fully alert and very specifically both verbally and in writing tells you that she does not want to have surgery on her breast to remove the tumor. She fully understands her condition and treatment options. This is a decision her husband and son both disagree with. Over the next several weeks the patient becomes confused and loses the capacity to understand the details of her medical care. The husband and son now approach you to perform the surgery. Which of the following is most appropriate?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A clear advance directive from a competent patient must be followed, regardless of family wishes, unless overridden by a court.
Question 4 of 5
Mr. Dorone is a 22-year-old man who sustained a subdural hematoma and a brain contusion in a motor vehicle accident. He needs blood in order to have the necessary lifesaving surgery done. His parents refuse to allow the transfusion based on their religious beliefs. What should be done?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: In an emergency, consent is implied unless a competent patient refuses; parents cannot override this for an adult.
Question 5 of 5
A 79-year-old man comes to see you for assistance in ending his life. The patient is fully competent and has been suffering from progressively worsening amyotrophic lateral sclerosis for several years. He is not immediately preterminal. Despite this, he finds his quality of life to be unacceptable. More important, he correctly predicts that his level of function will deteriorate over the next several months and that he may become ventilator dependent. He is requesting that you administer a lethal injection in his home. He is not depressed. His family is aware of his desire and they are willing to honor the patient's wishes. You have discussed appropriate palliative care issues. What should you tell him?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Euthanasia is unethical for physicians under all circumstances, regardless of patient competence or family agreement.