PHIL 434 MEDICAL ETHICS & ISSUES
FINAL EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS GRADED A+ 2025/2026
Utilitarianism - ANS one should act in accordance with the greatest good for the greatest
number of people. (MAXIMUM UTILITY) for all parties involved.
Virtue Ethics - ANS Virtuous (good) acts are the product of habitual good character; if you
have put in the work to develop overall good character, then whatever specific choice you make
will be right.
Kantian Ethics - ANS the things we must do all the time no matter what to be a good person.
Moral Relativism - ANS the view that moral judgments are true or false, and that no
standpoint is uniquely privileged over all others.
Libertarianism - ANS maximize autonomy and political freedom, and minimize government
ruling; emphasizing free association and freedom of choice.
Ethics of Care - ANS Caring is the basis for human relationships. The one giving care has to
address the needs/reality of the person being cared for.
autonomy - ANS The right to choice. The right to make decisions about one's own life and
body without coercion by others.
1 @COPYRIGHT 2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
, Beneficence - ANS refers to actions that promote the well-being of others. professionals
should benefit a party.
Non-maleficence - ANS refers to the avoidance of harming or hurting others. do not kill,
cause pain, or suffering.
Justice - ANS fair, equitable, and appropriate treatment of persons.
Elizabeth Bouvia - ANS - born w/ cerebral palsy
- 8 years in disabled institution SDSU
- September 1983, checked into Riverside hospital admits she wants to starve herself.
- Donald Fisher, chief of psychiatry ordered to forced feed her. Judge allowed force feeding.
- Elizabeth left Riverside hospital and went to TJ high desert and was ordered force feeding
again.
- California Supreme court rules in her favorite, giving her the right to refuse treatment.
- Elizabeth did not kill herself, lived with state assistance.
Anna Pou - ANS - Hurricane Katrina, 2015
- memorial medical center, New Orleans
- patients were not candidates for evacuation plan, had to get to rooftop for evacuation.
- up to 100 degrees and lower levels flooded with water. moved patients to top floors.
- back up generators failed and helicopters began to leave.
- After 72 hours, Dr. Anna Pou (head & neck specialist) only MD left, administered morphine and
midazolam to "help" patients with pain.
- Evacuated all surviving patients, 45 decomposing corpses were left behind.
- sparked murder Investigation, no charges by grand jury.
Brittany Maynard - ANS - April 2013, developed unbearable migraines that turned out to be
glioblastoma (worst type of brain cancer)
2 @COPYRIGHT 2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
FINAL EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS GRADED A+ 2025/2026
Utilitarianism - ANS one should act in accordance with the greatest good for the greatest
number of people. (MAXIMUM UTILITY) for all parties involved.
Virtue Ethics - ANS Virtuous (good) acts are the product of habitual good character; if you
have put in the work to develop overall good character, then whatever specific choice you make
will be right.
Kantian Ethics - ANS the things we must do all the time no matter what to be a good person.
Moral Relativism - ANS the view that moral judgments are true or false, and that no
standpoint is uniquely privileged over all others.
Libertarianism - ANS maximize autonomy and political freedom, and minimize government
ruling; emphasizing free association and freedom of choice.
Ethics of Care - ANS Caring is the basis for human relationships. The one giving care has to
address the needs/reality of the person being cared for.
autonomy - ANS The right to choice. The right to make decisions about one's own life and
body without coercion by others.
1 @COPYRIGHT 2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
, Beneficence - ANS refers to actions that promote the well-being of others. professionals
should benefit a party.
Non-maleficence - ANS refers to the avoidance of harming or hurting others. do not kill,
cause pain, or suffering.
Justice - ANS fair, equitable, and appropriate treatment of persons.
Elizabeth Bouvia - ANS - born w/ cerebral palsy
- 8 years in disabled institution SDSU
- September 1983, checked into Riverside hospital admits she wants to starve herself.
- Donald Fisher, chief of psychiatry ordered to forced feed her. Judge allowed force feeding.
- Elizabeth left Riverside hospital and went to TJ high desert and was ordered force feeding
again.
- California Supreme court rules in her favorite, giving her the right to refuse treatment.
- Elizabeth did not kill herself, lived with state assistance.
Anna Pou - ANS - Hurricane Katrina, 2015
- memorial medical center, New Orleans
- patients were not candidates for evacuation plan, had to get to rooftop for evacuation.
- up to 100 degrees and lower levels flooded with water. moved patients to top floors.
- back up generators failed and helicopters began to leave.
- After 72 hours, Dr. Anna Pou (head & neck specialist) only MD left, administered morphine and
midazolam to "help" patients with pain.
- Evacuated all surviving patients, 45 decomposing corpses were left behind.
- sparked murder Investigation, no charges by grand jury.
Brittany Maynard - ANS - April 2013, developed unbearable migraines that turned out to be
glioblastoma (worst type of brain cancer)
2 @COPYRIGHT 2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
