Q.1 Which of the following is a core principle of medical ethics?
Autonomy
Profit maximization
Authority
Competition
Explanation - Autonomy is a key principle of medical ethics, emphasizing the patient’s right to make decisions about their own healthcare.
Correct answer is: Autonomy
Q.2 The principle of beneficence in medical ethics requires doctors to:
Do no harm
Act in the best interest of patients
Respect patient choices
Maintain confidentiality
Explanation - Beneficence means taking actions that benefit the patient, such as providing effective treatment.
Correct answer is: Act in the best interest of patients
Q.3 The concept of 'non-maleficence' is best described as:
Always respecting autonomy
Doing no harm to the patient
Ensuring justice in care
Maximizing efficiency
Explanation - Non-maleficence refers to the obligation to avoid causing harm to patients.
Correct answer is: Doing no harm to the patient
Q.4 Which ethical principle supports the fair allocation of healthcare resources?
Justice
Autonomy
Beneficence
Non-maleficence
Explanation - Justice in medical ethics refers to fairness and equality in distributing healthcare resources.
Correct answer is: Justice
Q.5 Informed consent is most closely related to which ethical principle?
Beneficence
Justice
Autonomy
Non-maleficence
Explanation - Informed consent ensures that patients make their own healthcare decisions, respecting their autonomy.
Correct answer is: Autonomy
Q.6 A doctor refuses to treat a patient because of their religious beliefs. This violates which principle?
Justice
Autonomy
Beneficence
Non-maleficence
Explanation - Justice requires fair treatment of all patients regardless of religion, race, or background.
Correct answer is: Justice
Q.7 Patient confidentiality may be ethically breached in which situation?
A patient has cancer
A patient is a minor
A patient poses danger to others
A patient disagrees with treatment
Explanation - Confidentiality can be overridden when non-disclosure would cause harm to others, such as risk of violence or infectious disease.
Correct answer is: A patient poses danger to others
Q.8 The Hippocratic Oath primarily emphasizes:
Professional loyalty
Avoidance of harm
Respect for justice
Research advancement
Explanation - The Hippocratic Oath is grounded in the principle of non-maleficence, or 'do no harm.'
Correct answer is: Avoidance of harm
Q.9 Which of the following is considered unethical in the doctor-patient relationship?
Obtaining informed consent
Maintaining confidentiality
Accepting expensive gifts
Respecting autonomy
Explanation - Accepting costly gifts may influence clinical judgment and compromise professional integrity.
Correct answer is: Accepting expensive gifts
Q.10 What is the ethical concern with physician-assisted suicide?
Autonomy vs. beneficence
Confidentiality vs. justice
Non-maleficence vs. autonomy
Justice vs. confidentiality
Explanation - Physician-assisted suicide raises conflict between respecting patient autonomy and the duty to do no harm.
Correct answer is: Non-maleficence vs. autonomy
Q.11 When a patient refuses a life-saving treatment, the doctor must respect:
Justice
Beneficence
Autonomy
Non-maleficence
Explanation - Patients have the right to refuse treatment, even if the doctor disagrees, due to the principle of autonomy.
Correct answer is: Autonomy
Q.12 What is the main ethical issue in medical paternalism?
Disregarding patient autonomy
Violating confidentiality
Allocating resources unfairly
Promoting beneficence
Explanation - Medical paternalism occurs when a doctor makes decisions without considering the patient’s choices.
Correct answer is: Disregarding patient autonomy
Q.13 Which ethical principle underlies the requirement to disclose medical errors?
Justice
Non-maleficence
Autonomy
Honesty
Explanation - Transparency and honesty are essential in maintaining trust and ethical practice when errors occur.
Correct answer is: Honesty
Q.14 A doctor conducting research without patient consent violates:
Autonomy
Justice
Beneficence
Non-maleficence
Explanation - Research without consent disregards the autonomy of the participants.
Correct answer is: Autonomy
Q.15 The principle of veracity in medical ethics refers to:
Do no harm
Truth-telling
Fair distribution
Respecting autonomy
Explanation - Veracity emphasizes honesty and truthfulness in communication with patients.
Correct answer is: Truth-telling
Q.16 Maintaining professional boundaries with patients is essential to avoid:
Justice conflicts
Dual relationships
Autonomy issues
Truth-telling concerns
Explanation - Professional boundaries prevent dual relationships that can compromise objectivity and trust.
Correct answer is: Dual relationships
Q.17 Medical professionalism includes all EXCEPT:
Altruism
Accountability
Financial profit
Integrity
Explanation - Professionalism focuses on service, accountability, and integrity, not financial gain.
Correct answer is: Financial profit
Q.18 Ethical dilemma in healthcare means:
Conflict between two values
Conflict between doctor and nurse
Conflict of interest only
Legal problem alone
Explanation - An ethical dilemma arises when two ethical principles conflict, requiring careful judgment.
Correct answer is: Conflict between two values
Q.19 Which principle supports equal access to medical care regardless of socioeconomic status?
Justice
Autonomy
Beneficence
Veracity
Explanation - Justice ensures fairness and equal access to healthcare services.
Correct answer is: Justice
Q.20 A conflict of interest occurs when:
A doctor discloses an error
A doctor has personal gain from a decision
A patient refuses treatment
Resources are limited
Explanation - Conflicts of interest happen when personal benefit may influence clinical judgment.
Correct answer is: A doctor has personal gain from a decision
Q.21 Why is confidentiality critical in the doctor-patient relationship?
It prevents lawsuits
It builds trust
It increases efficiency
It maximizes resources
Explanation - Confidentiality strengthens patient trust, which is essential for effective healthcare.
Correct answer is: It builds trust
Q.22 What should a doctor do if a minor patient refuses life-saving treatment?
Respect the decision
Always override it
Consult guardians and law
Ignore autonomy
Explanation - In minors, decisions involve guardians and sometimes legal systems to balance autonomy and beneficence.
Correct answer is: Consult guardians and law
Q.23 What is the ethical principle behind fair clinical trial participation?
Justice
Non-maleficence
Beneficence
Autonomy
Explanation - Justice requires fair selection and treatment of participants in research.
Correct answer is: Justice
Q.24 When a patient insists on a harmful treatment, the doctor should:
Respect autonomy blindly
Explain risks and refuse
Provide treatment anyway
Delegate decision to family
Explanation - Doctors are not obliged to provide harmful treatment even if requested, upholding non-maleficence.
Correct answer is: Explain risks and refuse
Q.25 What is the main goal of medical ethics?
Protect doctors legally
Guide moral conduct in healthcare
Maximize hospital profits
Ensure quick treatment
Explanation - Medical ethics provides moral guidance for professional behavior in healthcare practice.
Correct answer is: Guide moral conduct in healthcare