Grey's Anatomy Study Test 3:
Questions 101–150 with 100% verified
solutions (Case Studies) answers and
RATIONALES.
Grey's Anatomy Study Test: Questions 101–150
3. Character Arcs & Ethical Dilemmas (50 Questions)
101. Case Study Title/Brief: The Clinical Trial Manipulation
Case Presentation: A surgical resident, knowing a colleague is
dying of a rare, aggressive cancer, intentionally alters the inclusion
criteria for a highly restrictive, life-saving clinical trial to ensure the
colleague qualifies for treatment. The Question: The ethical
principle violated by manipulating the trial criteria to save a friend,
sacrificing the scientific integrity of the research, is: A. Non-
maleficence (Do no harm) B. Justice (Fairness and equality) C.
Autonomy (Patient choice) D. Beneficence (Act for the patient's
good) Correct Answer: B. Justice (Fairness and equality)
Rationale: * Medical/Plot Explanation: This refers to Meredith
Grey manipulating the Derek Shepherd Alzheimer's clinical trial
(Season 7) to ensure Adele Webber received the active drug, not the
placebo. This violated the principle of Justice, as it broke the blind
assignment protocol and denied unknown future participants
unbiased data. * Distractor Analysis: Beneficence drove the act,
but it conflicted with Justice. Non-maleficence and Autonomy were
not the central conflict.
102. Case Study Title/Brief: The DNR Conflict Case
Presentation: An elderly patient with a terminal illness expresses
their clear wish for a "Do Not Resuscitate" (DNR) order. Their
distraught daughter, however, pressures the doctors to ignore the
DNR and aggressively treat any cardiac arrest. The Question: In
the context of medical ethics, which principle dictates that the
patient's clearly expressed wishes regarding their care must be
honored, even if family disagrees? A. Veracity B. Fidelity C.
Autonomy D. Paternalism Correct Answer: C. Autonomy
Rationale: * Medical/Plot Explanation: The principle of
Autonomy states that a competent patient has the right to
determine their own medical care, including refusing treatment.
Doctors (like Webber with his former sponsor) often deal with
, families trying to override this. * Distractor Analysis: Veracity is
honesty; Fidelity is loyalty; Paternalism is acting in the patient's
perceived best interest against their wishes.
103. Case Study Title/Brief: The Physician Impairment Case
Presentation: A Chief of Surgery, under immense pressure,
relapses into a severe addiction. A surgical resident notices the
signs of impaired judgment and struggles with the decision to report
the Chief, fearing retaliation. The Question: The professional and
ethical responsibility to report an impaired colleague who poses a
risk to patient safety, overriding loyalty, falls under which category?
A. Primum Non Nocere (First, do no harm) B. Conflict of Interest C.
Professional Integrity/Accountability D. Patient Abandonment
Correct Answer: C. Professional Integrity/Accountability
Rationale: * Medical/Plot Explanation: This refers to Richard
Webber's alcohol relapse (Season 6). The surgical team's struggle,
particularly Bailey's, to report him centered on the duty of
Professional Integrity/Accountability to protect patients, even if
it harms a colleague. * Distractor Analysis: The others are related
but C is the most encompassing professional duty here.
104. Case Study Title/Brief: The Life Support Withdrawal
Case Presentation: A young, high-achieving neurosurgeon suffers
catastrophic injuries in a motor vehicle accident, leaving them brain-
dead with no hope of recovery. The family must make the agonizing
decision to withdraw life support. The Question: Which main
character's life support was eventually withdrawn after being
declared brain-dead following a tragic car accident? A. Dr. Lexie
Grey B. Dr. Derek Shepherd C. Dr. George O'Malley D. Dr. Mark Sloan
Correct Answer: B. Dr. Derek Shepherd Rationale: *
Medical/Plot Explanation: Derek Shepherd (Season 11) was
involved in a car crash. Due to poor care at a small hospital, he
became brain-dead, and Meredith was forced to make the decision
to withdraw support. * Distractor Analysis: Grey and Sloan died at
the crash site; O'Malley died after the bus accident but was not
declared brain dead in the same scenario.
105. Case Study Title/Brief: The Ghost Patient Case
Presentation: A surgical intern is overwhelmed by guilt after their
patient dies on the operating table following a complex heart
surgery. The intern begins hallucinating and seeing the deceased
patient in the halls. The Question: Which surgical intern was so
wracked with grief and guilt over the death of a patient (Denny
Duquette) that they experienced prolonged emotional distress and
, hallucinations? A. Dr. April Kepner B. Dr. Cristina Yang C. Dr. Izzie
Stevens D. Dr. Lexie Grey Correct Answer: C. Dr. Izzie Stevens
Rationale: * Medical/Plot Explanation: Izzie Stevens (Season
3) was deeply affected by the death of her fiancé, Denny Duquette,
leading to her seeing his ghost and struggling significantly with her
mental health and career. * Distractor Analysis: The others dealt
with trauma/grief differently (Yang—PTSD, Kepner—emotional
breakdown).
106. Case Study Title/Brief: The Incompetent Resident Case
Presentation: An attending surgeon recognizes that one of their
residents is consistently making errors, failing to master surgical
skills, and lacks the appropriate temperament for high-stakes
procedures. The attending debates reporting them to the program
director. The Question: The ethical conflict faced by the attending
involves balancing the duty to educate and mentor the resident with
the duty to ensure: A. The resident passes their boards. B. The
surgical schedule remains full. C. Patient safety is maintained. D.
The resident is financially compensated. Correct Answer: C.
Patient safety is maintained. Rationale: * Medical/Plot
Explanation: The central conflict in residency training, as seen in
many character evaluations (like Cristina with Shane Ross, or Bailey
with George), is the ethical obligation to protect Patient Safety
above all else, even if it means halting a resident's training. *
Distractor Analysis: The others are secondary or irrelevant
concerns.
107. Case Study Title/Brief: The Unplanned Pregnancy Case
Presentation: A young surgical intern discovers she is pregnant
and must choose between terminating the pregnancy, carrying to
term, or discussing adoption, all while managing her demanding
residency. The discussion with her then-partner becomes a major
ethical and relationship hurdle. The Question: Which major
character ultimately made the choice to have an abortion following
an unplanned pregnancy, leading to a major rupture in her
relationship? A. Dr. Meredith Grey B. Dr. April Kepner C. Dr. Callie
Torres D. Dr. Cristina Yang Correct Answer: D. Dr. Cristina Yang
Rationale: * Medical/Plot Explanation: Cristina Yang chose to
have an abortion after becoming pregnant by Owen Hunt (Season
8). This decision, driven by her focus on her surgical career, caused
a severe, long-term rift in their marriage. * Distractor Analysis:
Grey and Torres had children; Kepner chose to carry her children.
Questions 101–150 with 100% verified
solutions (Case Studies) answers and
RATIONALES.
Grey's Anatomy Study Test: Questions 101–150
3. Character Arcs & Ethical Dilemmas (50 Questions)
101. Case Study Title/Brief: The Clinical Trial Manipulation
Case Presentation: A surgical resident, knowing a colleague is
dying of a rare, aggressive cancer, intentionally alters the inclusion
criteria for a highly restrictive, life-saving clinical trial to ensure the
colleague qualifies for treatment. The Question: The ethical
principle violated by manipulating the trial criteria to save a friend,
sacrificing the scientific integrity of the research, is: A. Non-
maleficence (Do no harm) B. Justice (Fairness and equality) C.
Autonomy (Patient choice) D. Beneficence (Act for the patient's
good) Correct Answer: B. Justice (Fairness and equality)
Rationale: * Medical/Plot Explanation: This refers to Meredith
Grey manipulating the Derek Shepherd Alzheimer's clinical trial
(Season 7) to ensure Adele Webber received the active drug, not the
placebo. This violated the principle of Justice, as it broke the blind
assignment protocol and denied unknown future participants
unbiased data. * Distractor Analysis: Beneficence drove the act,
but it conflicted with Justice. Non-maleficence and Autonomy were
not the central conflict.
102. Case Study Title/Brief: The DNR Conflict Case
Presentation: An elderly patient with a terminal illness expresses
their clear wish for a "Do Not Resuscitate" (DNR) order. Their
distraught daughter, however, pressures the doctors to ignore the
DNR and aggressively treat any cardiac arrest. The Question: In
the context of medical ethics, which principle dictates that the
patient's clearly expressed wishes regarding their care must be
honored, even if family disagrees? A. Veracity B. Fidelity C.
Autonomy D. Paternalism Correct Answer: C. Autonomy
Rationale: * Medical/Plot Explanation: The principle of
Autonomy states that a competent patient has the right to
determine their own medical care, including refusing treatment.
Doctors (like Webber with his former sponsor) often deal with
, families trying to override this. * Distractor Analysis: Veracity is
honesty; Fidelity is loyalty; Paternalism is acting in the patient's
perceived best interest against their wishes.
103. Case Study Title/Brief: The Physician Impairment Case
Presentation: A Chief of Surgery, under immense pressure,
relapses into a severe addiction. A surgical resident notices the
signs of impaired judgment and struggles with the decision to report
the Chief, fearing retaliation. The Question: The professional and
ethical responsibility to report an impaired colleague who poses a
risk to patient safety, overriding loyalty, falls under which category?
A. Primum Non Nocere (First, do no harm) B. Conflict of Interest C.
Professional Integrity/Accountability D. Patient Abandonment
Correct Answer: C. Professional Integrity/Accountability
Rationale: * Medical/Plot Explanation: This refers to Richard
Webber's alcohol relapse (Season 6). The surgical team's struggle,
particularly Bailey's, to report him centered on the duty of
Professional Integrity/Accountability to protect patients, even if
it harms a colleague. * Distractor Analysis: The others are related
but C is the most encompassing professional duty here.
104. Case Study Title/Brief: The Life Support Withdrawal
Case Presentation: A young, high-achieving neurosurgeon suffers
catastrophic injuries in a motor vehicle accident, leaving them brain-
dead with no hope of recovery. The family must make the agonizing
decision to withdraw life support. The Question: Which main
character's life support was eventually withdrawn after being
declared brain-dead following a tragic car accident? A. Dr. Lexie
Grey B. Dr. Derek Shepherd C. Dr. George O'Malley D. Dr. Mark Sloan
Correct Answer: B. Dr. Derek Shepherd Rationale: *
Medical/Plot Explanation: Derek Shepherd (Season 11) was
involved in a car crash. Due to poor care at a small hospital, he
became brain-dead, and Meredith was forced to make the decision
to withdraw support. * Distractor Analysis: Grey and Sloan died at
the crash site; O'Malley died after the bus accident but was not
declared brain dead in the same scenario.
105. Case Study Title/Brief: The Ghost Patient Case
Presentation: A surgical intern is overwhelmed by guilt after their
patient dies on the operating table following a complex heart
surgery. The intern begins hallucinating and seeing the deceased
patient in the halls. The Question: Which surgical intern was so
wracked with grief and guilt over the death of a patient (Denny
Duquette) that they experienced prolonged emotional distress and
, hallucinations? A. Dr. April Kepner B. Dr. Cristina Yang C. Dr. Izzie
Stevens D. Dr. Lexie Grey Correct Answer: C. Dr. Izzie Stevens
Rationale: * Medical/Plot Explanation: Izzie Stevens (Season
3) was deeply affected by the death of her fiancé, Denny Duquette,
leading to her seeing his ghost and struggling significantly with her
mental health and career. * Distractor Analysis: The others dealt
with trauma/grief differently (Yang—PTSD, Kepner—emotional
breakdown).
106. Case Study Title/Brief: The Incompetent Resident Case
Presentation: An attending surgeon recognizes that one of their
residents is consistently making errors, failing to master surgical
skills, and lacks the appropriate temperament for high-stakes
procedures. The attending debates reporting them to the program
director. The Question: The ethical conflict faced by the attending
involves balancing the duty to educate and mentor the resident with
the duty to ensure: A. The resident passes their boards. B. The
surgical schedule remains full. C. Patient safety is maintained. D.
The resident is financially compensated. Correct Answer: C.
Patient safety is maintained. Rationale: * Medical/Plot
Explanation: The central conflict in residency training, as seen in
many character evaluations (like Cristina with Shane Ross, or Bailey
with George), is the ethical obligation to protect Patient Safety
above all else, even if it means halting a resident's training. *
Distractor Analysis: The others are secondary or irrelevant
concerns.
107. Case Study Title/Brief: The Unplanned Pregnancy Case
Presentation: A young surgical intern discovers she is pregnant
and must choose between terminating the pregnancy, carrying to
term, or discussing adoption, all while managing her demanding
residency. The discussion with her then-partner becomes a major
ethical and relationship hurdle. The Question: Which major
character ultimately made the choice to have an abortion following
an unplanned pregnancy, leading to a major rupture in her
relationship? A. Dr. Meredith Grey B. Dr. April Kepner C. Dr. Callie
Torres D. Dr. Cristina Yang Correct Answer: D. Dr. Cristina Yang
Rationale: * Medical/Plot Explanation: Cristina Yang chose to
have an abortion after becoming pregnant by Owen Hunt (Season
8). This decision, driven by her focus on her surgical career, caused
a severe, long-term rift in their marriage. * Distractor Analysis:
Grey and Torres had children; Kepner chose to carry her children.
