Medical Ethics Exam Questions And
Correct Answers (Verified Answers)
Plus Rationales 2025/2026 Q&A
1. Which ethical principle involves respecting a patient’s right to
make their own decisions?
A. Beneficence
B. Nonmaleficence
C. Justice
D. Autonomy
Answer: D. Autonomy
Rationale: Autonomy refers to respecting patients’ rights to make
informed decisions about their own healthcare.
2. The ethical principle of “do no harm” is known as:
A. Justice
B. Beneficence
C. Nonmaleficence
D. Fidelity
Answer: C. Nonmaleficence
Rationale: Nonmaleficence requires healthcare providers to avoid
causing harm to patients.
3. Which principle refers to acting in the best interest of the
patient?
A. Justice
B. Beneficence
,C. Fidelity
D. Veracity
Answer: B. Beneficence
Rationale: Beneficence involves promoting good and acting for the
benefit of patients.
4. Distributing healthcare resources fairly reflects which principle?
A. Autonomy
B. Beneficence
C. Justice
D. Fidelity
Answer: C. Justice
Rationale: Justice involves fairness in allocation of resources and
treatment.
5. A patient signs a consent form after understanding risks and
benefits. This demonstrates:
A. Veracity
B. Fidelity
C. Informed consent
D. Nonmaleficence
Answer: C. Informed consent
Rationale: Informed consent requires understanding risks, benefits,
and alternatives before agreeing to treatment.
6. Which condition must be met for informed consent to be valid?
A. Family approval
B. Physician recommendation
,C. Patient competence
D. Nurse documentation
Answer: C. Patient competence
Rationale: The patient must have the capacity to understand and
make decisions.
7. A healthcare provider telling the truth to patients reflects which
principle?
A. Fidelity
B. Veracity
C. Justice
D. Autonomy
Answer: B. Veracity
Rationale: Veracity involves truth-telling and honesty in healthcare.
8. Keeping promises made to patients demonstrates:
A. Justice
B. Beneficence
C. Fidelity
D. Autonomy
Answer: C. Fidelity
Rationale: Fidelity means keeping commitments and maintaining
trust.
9. A patient refuses life-saving treatment. The nurse should:
A. Force treatment
B. Ignore refusal
, C. Call police
D. Respect the patient’s decision
Answer: D. Respect the patient’s decision
Rationale: Respecting autonomy includes honoring competent
refusals.
10. Which is an example of confidentiality breach?
A. Charting patient data
B. Discussing patient details in a public elevator
C. Sharing data with care team
D. Recording vital signs
Answer: B. Discussing patient details in a public elevator
Rationale: Confidential information must not be shared in public
spaces.
11. A minor requiring emergency treatment without parents
present should receive:
A. No care
B. Delayed care
C. Emergency care without consent
D. Only basic care
Answer: C. Emergency care without consent
Rationale: Emergency doctrine allows treatment when delay risks
harm.
12. When a patient lacks decision-making capacity, consent is
obtained from:
Correct Answers (Verified Answers)
Plus Rationales 2025/2026 Q&A
1. Which ethical principle involves respecting a patient’s right to
make their own decisions?
A. Beneficence
B. Nonmaleficence
C. Justice
D. Autonomy
Answer: D. Autonomy
Rationale: Autonomy refers to respecting patients’ rights to make
informed decisions about their own healthcare.
2. The ethical principle of “do no harm” is known as:
A. Justice
B. Beneficence
C. Nonmaleficence
D. Fidelity
Answer: C. Nonmaleficence
Rationale: Nonmaleficence requires healthcare providers to avoid
causing harm to patients.
3. Which principle refers to acting in the best interest of the
patient?
A. Justice
B. Beneficence
,C. Fidelity
D. Veracity
Answer: B. Beneficence
Rationale: Beneficence involves promoting good and acting for the
benefit of patients.
4. Distributing healthcare resources fairly reflects which principle?
A. Autonomy
B. Beneficence
C. Justice
D. Fidelity
Answer: C. Justice
Rationale: Justice involves fairness in allocation of resources and
treatment.
5. A patient signs a consent form after understanding risks and
benefits. This demonstrates:
A. Veracity
B. Fidelity
C. Informed consent
D. Nonmaleficence
Answer: C. Informed consent
Rationale: Informed consent requires understanding risks, benefits,
and alternatives before agreeing to treatment.
6. Which condition must be met for informed consent to be valid?
A. Family approval
B. Physician recommendation
,C. Patient competence
D. Nurse documentation
Answer: C. Patient competence
Rationale: The patient must have the capacity to understand and
make decisions.
7. A healthcare provider telling the truth to patients reflects which
principle?
A. Fidelity
B. Veracity
C. Justice
D. Autonomy
Answer: B. Veracity
Rationale: Veracity involves truth-telling and honesty in healthcare.
8. Keeping promises made to patients demonstrates:
A. Justice
B. Beneficence
C. Fidelity
D. Autonomy
Answer: C. Fidelity
Rationale: Fidelity means keeping commitments and maintaining
trust.
9. A patient refuses life-saving treatment. The nurse should:
A. Force treatment
B. Ignore refusal
, C. Call police
D. Respect the patient’s decision
Answer: D. Respect the patient’s decision
Rationale: Respecting autonomy includes honoring competent
refusals.
10. Which is an example of confidentiality breach?
A. Charting patient data
B. Discussing patient details in a public elevator
C. Sharing data with care team
D. Recording vital signs
Answer: B. Discussing patient details in a public elevator
Rationale: Confidential information must not be shared in public
spaces.
11. A minor requiring emergency treatment without parents
present should receive:
A. No care
B. Delayed care
C. Emergency care without consent
D. Only basic care
Answer: C. Emergency care without consent
Rationale: Emergency doctrine allows treatment when delay risks
harm.
12. When a patient lacks decision-making capacity, consent is
obtained from:
