Deck 9: Decisions at the End of Life

Question 1

When we speak of life in the sense of relationships, dreams, and expectations for the future, we are speaking of ____________________.

A) biographical life
B) active euthanasia
C) biological life
D) passive euthanasia

Answer 1

biographical life

Question 2

As a result of technological advances, a majority of jurisdictions within our nation have accepted the concept of ___________________ as opposed to the classic definition of death based on the loss of cardiac and respiratory function.

A) unreceptivity
B) persistent vegetative state
C) brain death
D) euthanasia

Answer 2

brain death

Question 3

Bringing about the death of someone suffering from terminal illness or intractable pain without the request or consent of the individual is called ____________________.

A) passive euthanasia
B) mercy killing
C) murder
D) involuntary euthanasia

Answer 3

involuntary euthanasia

Question 4

____________ care is that which is considered required.

A) ordinary
B) customary
C) extraordinary
D) compliant

Question 5

In December 1989, the ____________ case became one of the first of the right-to-die cases to be heard by the Supreme Court.

A) Baby Doe
B) Cruzan
C) Baby K
D) Kevorkian

Question 6

In March 1983, in response to the Baby Doe case, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services issued a (an) ______________, which directed that all health care facilities dealing with infants less than one year of age and who received federal funding prominently display an antidiscrimination notice protecting these infants.

A) advance directive
B) Interim Final Rule
C) best interest standard
D) DNR order

Question 7

According to Tom Beauchamp, a person has committed suicide when:

A) that person brings about his or her own death
B) others do not coerce him or her to do the action
C) death is caused by conditions arranged by the person for the purpose of bringing about his or her death
D) all of these answers apply

Question 8

In which of the following cases did the New Jersey Supreme court rule that the state has no right to order respiratory support to be continued??

A) Karen Ann Quinlan
B) Nancy Beth Cruzan
C) Baby Doe
D) Kevorkian

Question 9

Several critical aspects were reinforced by the Supreme Court's decision in the Nancy Cruzan case, including that nutrition and hydration may be withheld when:

A) the patient determines he or she no longer wants to live
B) the state determines the patient's quality of life has a negative value
C) the patient's family requests it
D) the treatment is futile and there is no possibility of benefit

Question 10

Life that separates the living from the nonliving (e.g., that separates plants from rocks) is termed ____________________.

A) biographical life
B) active euthanasia
C) biological life
D) passive euthanasia

Question 11

Care that is considered optional due to high costs, low effectiveness, or other criteria is considered ______________.

A) advanced care
B) extraordinary care
C) ordinary care
D) unnecessary care

Question 12

A __________________ goes into effect only if a patient is terminally ill and death is imminent.

A) living will
B) health care surrogate
C) health care power of attorney
D) durable power of attorney

Question 13

The legislative mandate that requires all health facilities receiving federal reimbursements under Medicare or Medicaid to provide patients at the time of admission with information concerning their right to refuse medical interventions is known as the _________________________ of 1990.

A) Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act
B) Stark Law
C) Patient Self-Determination Act
D) Trap Law

Question 14

The court's decision in the Nancy Cruzan case, which called for clear and convincing evidence in regard to patient choice in these matters has resulted in the increased use of ____________________.

A) passive euthanasia
B) advanced directives
C) palliative care
D) involuntary euthanasia

Question 15

A state characterized by a permanent eyes-open level of unconsciousness is called _______________.

A) persistent vegetative state
B) coma
C) concussion
D) cognitive sapient state

Question 16

The proxy decision-making standard that best fit the Karen Ann Quinlan case was known as the ____________________ standard.

A) best interest
B) mercy killing
C) personhood
D) substituted judgment

Question 17

The _________________ standard most often takes into account such tangible factors as harms and benefits, physical, and fiscal risks.

A) best interest
B) mercy killing
C) personhood
D) substituted judgment

Question 18

Following the Baby Doe case, a hotline was set up to take calls from individuals who felt that a handicapped infant was receiving less than ____________________ medical care.

A) compliant
B) ordinary
C) customary
D) extraordinary

Question 19

_______________ is defined as ceasing therapies that prolong life so that death can occur.

A) Mercy killing
B) Active euthanasia
C) Involuntary euthanasia
D) Passive euthanasia

Question 20

Involuntary euthanasia, which ignores the individual's autonomous rights and could potentially bring about the death of an unwilling victim, is not easily distinguished from ____________________.

A) passive euthanasia
B) extraordinary care
C) palliative care
D) murder

Question 21

Match each item to the definition listed below

-Life that separates the living from the nonliving; life in this sense is not uniquely human but is that which we share with all other living things.?

A) advanced directives
B) biological life
C) cognitive sapient state
D) palliative care
E) biographical life
F) parens patriae
G) substituted-judgment standard
H) clear and convincing evidence standard
I) mercy killing
J) best-interest standard
K) voluntary euthanasia
L) ordinary and extraordinary care
M) involuntary euthanasia
N) passive euthanasia
O) personhood

Question 22

Match each item to the definition listed below

-Life that is uniquely human, as defined by memories, relationships, desires, plans, sense of self?

A) advanced directives
B) biological life
C) cognitive sapient state
D) palliative care
E) biographical life
F) parens patriae
G) substituted-judgment standard
H) clear and convincing evidence standard
I) mercy killing
J) best-interest standard
K) voluntary euthanasia
L) ordinary and extraordinary care
M) involuntary euthanasia
N) passive euthanasia
O) personhood

Question 23

Match each item to the definition listed below

-Originates in English common law, whereby the king had the authority to act as guardian for persons with legal disabilities; in the U.S., this function belongs to the states?

A) advanced directives
B) biological life
C) cognitive sapient state
D) palliative care
E) biographical life
F) parens patriae
G) substituted-judgment standard
H) clear and convincing evidence standard
I) mercy killing
J) best-interest standard
K) voluntary euthanasia
L) ordinary and extraordinary care
M) involuntary euthanasia
N) passive euthanasia
O) personhood

Question 24

Match each item to the definition listed below

-A proxy decision-making standard whereby the guardian is directed to make the decision compatible with the previous wishes of the individual?

A) advanced directives
B) biological life
C) cognitive sapient state
D) palliative care
E) biographical life
F) parens patriae
G) substituted-judgment standard
H) clear and convincing evidence standard
I) mercy killing
J) best-interest standard
K) voluntary euthanasia
L) ordinary and extraordinary care
M) involuntary euthanasia
N) passive euthanasia
O) personhood

Question 25

Match each item to the definition listed below

-Care designed to provide relief from pain and suffering rather than cure?

A) advanced directives
B) biological life
C) cognitive sapient state
D) palliative care
E) biographical life
F) parens patriae
G) substituted-judgment standard
H) clear and convincing evidence standard
I) mercy killing
J) best-interest standard
K) voluntary euthanasia
L) ordinary and extraordinary care
M) involuntary euthanasia
N) passive euthanasia
O) personhood

Question 26

Match each item to the definition listed below

-The call for a clear and convincing evidence standard in cases of withholding or withdrawing life-saving equipment has led to the increased use of these types of documents.?

A) advanced directives
B) biological life
C) cognitive sapient state
D) palliative care
E) biographical life
F) parens patriae
G) substituted-judgment standard
H) clear and convincing evidence standard
I) mercy killing
J) best-interest standard
K) voluntary euthanasia
L) ordinary and extraordinary care
M) involuntary euthanasia
N) passive euthanasia
O) personhood

Question 27

Match each item to the definition listed below

-A condition in which the individual has the ability to reason?

A) advanced directives
B) biological life
C) cognitive sapient state
D) palliative care
E) biographical life
F) parens patriae
G) substituted-judgment standard
H) clear and convincing evidence standard
I) mercy killing
J) best-interest standard
K) voluntary euthanasia
L) ordinary and extraordinary care
M) involuntary euthanasia
N) passive euthanasia
O) personhood

Question 28

Match each item to the definition listed below

-A differentiation used to determine what level of care is required and what level of care is optional due to high costs, low effectiveness, or other criteria

A) advanced directives
B) biological life
C) cognitive sapient state
D) palliative care
E) biographical life
F) parens patriae
G) substituted-judgment standard
H) clear and convincing evidence standard
I) mercy killing
J) best-interest standard
K) voluntary euthanasia
L) ordinary and extraordinary care
M) involuntary euthanasia
N) passive euthanasia
O) personhood

Question 29

Match each item to the definition listed below

-A type of euthanasia in which the intent is to ease the dying process or end intractable pain

A) advanced directives
B) biological life
C) cognitive sapient state
D) palliative care
E) biographical life
F) parens patriae
G) substituted-judgment standard
H) clear and convincing evidence standard
I) mercy killing
J) best-interest standard
K) voluntary euthanasia
L) ordinary and extraordinary care
M) involuntary euthanasia
N) passive euthanasia
O) personhood

Question 30

Match each item to the definition listed below

-Actively assisting the process of death for someone who has requested assistance in the dying process

A) advanced directives
B) biological life
C) cognitive sapient state
D) palliative care
E) biographical life
F) parens patriae
G) substituted-judgment standard
H) clear and convincing evidence standard
I) mercy killing
J) best-interest standard
K) voluntary euthanasia
L) ordinary and extraordinary care
M) involuntary euthanasia
N) passive euthanasia
O) personhood

Question 31

Match each item to the definition listed below

-A proxy-decision making standard in which the guardian is directed to make the decision in the best interest of the individual; often used in cases in which the individual was never in a position to make an autonomous decision

A) advanced directives
B) biological life
C) cognitive sapient state
D) palliative care
E) biographical life
F) parens patriae
G) substituted-judgment standard
H) clear and convincing evidence standard
I) mercy killing
J) best-interest standard
K) voluntary euthanasia
L) ordinary and extraordinary care
M) involuntary euthanasia
N) passive euthanasia
O) personhood

Question 32

Match each item to the definition listed below

-The individual state in which one is accepted as having the criterion of humanity; an entity possessing moral standing, with legal rights and duties

A) advanced directives
B) biological life
C) cognitive sapient state
D) palliative care
E) biographical life
F) parens patriae
G) substituted-judgment standard
H) clear and convincing evidence standard
I) mercy killing
J) best-interest standard
K) voluntary euthanasia
L) ordinary and extraordinary care
M) involuntary euthanasia
N) passive euthanasia
O) personhood

Question 33

Match each item to the definition listed below

-Ceasing therapies that prolong life so that death can occur

A) advanced directives
B) biological life
C) cognitive sapient state
D) palliative care
E) biographical life
F) parens patriae
G) substituted-judgment standard
H) clear and convincing evidence standard
I) mercy killing
J) best-interest standard
K) voluntary euthanasia
L) ordinary and extraordinary care
M) involuntary euthanasia
N) passive euthanasia
O) personhood

Question 34

Match each item to the definition listed below

-Bringing about the death of someone suffering from terminal illness or intractable pain without the request or consent of the individual

A) advanced directives
B) biological life
C) cognitive sapient state
D) palliative care
E) biographical life
F) parens patriae
G) substituted-judgment standard
H) clear and convincing evidence standard
I) mercy killing
J) best-interest standard
K) voluntary euthanasia
L) ordinary and extraordinary care
M) involuntary euthanasia
N) passive euthanasia
O) personhood

Question 35

Discuss the two major arguments for the practice of euthanasia.

Question 36

Differentiate between "life" as defined in either a biological or biographical sense.

Question 37

Defend or refute the proposal that assisting a patient with euthanasia is compatible with the health specialist's patient advocacy duties.

Question 38

Outline the rationale for the proposal to redefine death with a neocortical definition.

Question 39

Differentiate between the best interest and substituted judgment proxy standards and give examples of which types of cases would be suitable for each standard.

Question 40

Differentiate between a living will and a durable power of attorney and provide a rationale for selecting one of the methods.

Question 41

Explain the court's decision regarding Elizabeth Bouvia.

Question 42

Defend or refute the use of personhood criteria in making withholding and withdrawing decisions.

Question 43

Review the case "Extending the Right to Die." In the Vacco v. Quill case it was argued that if a right to die could be found under the Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution, then a law that allowed a patient who wanted to be disconnected from artificial life support to do so, but barred others who wanted to take lethal drugs to similarly hasten their death, would violate the amendment's equal protection guarantee because it treated the two groups differently. Some have worried that the acceptance of such a right is a slippery slope, which will inevitably lead to the expansion of the categories and endanger groups such as the elderly or handicapped. Defend or refute the use of the slippery slope argument in this case.

Question 44

Assume that a national assisted suicide policy was in place and it became acceptable for physicians to provide lethal dosages of medications for the purpose of ending a patient's life. Review your professional code of ethics and your organization's position on the matter and write an essay as to whether the legalization would require you as a health professional to participate.

Question 45

Periodically in the papers, one reads about a patient who had been in a vegetative state for years, miraculously awakening, summoning family, talking, etc. These seemingly miraculous cures, when all hope for benefit was considered lost, are often used to argue against the use of physician-assisted suicide or euthanasia especially for patients in long-term vegetative states. In an essay, respond to the argument that one should not consider active euthanasia based on the fact that a cure could be found, or that somewhere someone had a miraculous recovery.

Question 46

Review the potential options regarding methods to increase organ supply. Select the one that seems most ethical and practical to you and defend your choice.

Question 47

Following the call for a clear and convincing evidence standard, is there still a need for proxy decision standards based on substituted judgment? Defend your position.

Question 48

Defend or refute a "communitarian" approach for the acquisition of human organs for transplants, where organs are routinely harvested unless a conscientious objection has been registered.

Question 49

Defend or refute the withdrawal of hydration and nutrition on the basis that they represent extraordinary care.

Question 50

Discuss the law in regard to mercy killing.

Question 51

Discuss the nature of the Hospice Movement in the United States and how this may impact the debate regarding euthanasia.

Question 52

In some nations the organs of executed prisoners are routinely harvested and made available for transplants. Defend or refute this practice using an acceptable ethical argument.