5.
A competent 18-year-old female is admitted to the emergency room for rectal
bleeding. The injury is the result of an accident and is not an attempted suicide.
the patient refuses the proposed treatment with a full understanding of the
consequences. The staff should:
a. Try to force her to consent.
b. Get a court order declaring her incompetent, and obtain substitute consent
from a surrogate decision maker.
c. Sedate her; then begin the treatment.
d. Comply with her wishes.
6.
In which instance would the state's interest in preserving life be most likely to
outweigh the patient's right to refuse treatment?
a. A schizophrenic who refuses a biopsy with apparent understanding of the
adverse consequences.
b. A minor suffering from terminal leukemia that refuses chemotherapy.
c. A competent adult who refuses to have his gangrenous arm amputated.
d. An incompetent adult who would benefit from treatment, who has left no
evidence of his or her wishes when competent.
7.
Under the subjective (substituted judgment) standard of a patient's best interests,
maximum deference is given to:
a.
The patient's right to self-determination.
b.
The integrity of the health care profession.
c.
The res ipsa loquitur doctrine.
d.
The state's interest in public welfare and safety.
8.
Under the subjective (substituted judgment) standard of a patient's best interests:
a.
Some evidence of the patient's prior wishes is needed.
b.
The family's wishes are given primacy.
c.
Maximum deference is given to the needs of the institution.
d.
The individual's value to society is considered.
9.
In which situation is the patient's right to refuse most likely to be overridden by
the state's interest in preserving life?
a. A terminally ill minor who is in agreement with parents and physician on
refusing further treatment.
b. A terminally ill and competent adult who refuses surgery.
c. An incompetent patient whose guardian refuses beneficialmedical
intervention for no justifiable reason.
d. A competent adult who refuses treatment in an emergency room.
MD0067
2-18