Study Guide for Medical Ethics Midterm
 

1.      You will be expected to identify the ethical theories we have studied by matching statements with the names of the theories.  The ethical theories are utilitarianism, Kantianism, moral relativism, the ethic of care, and the ethic of care.

2.      You will be expected to understand major concepts within medical ethics including autonomy, paternalism, informed consent, the different forms of euthanasia, competence, etc.
 

3.      You should know the major arguments that can be used in favor of informed consent and the arguments that can be used against it in certain circumstances.  For instance, some ethicists might argue that it is inappropriate to insist on informed consent for patients from cultures in which informed consent is not standard practice.
 

4.      You should know the major ways in which the physician-patient relationship can be defined and the arguments that can be used in favor and against these models.

5.      You should know the two major ways in which the role of the nurse can be defined and the different arguments that can be used for and against each conception.

6.      You must know the outlines of the Dax Cowart case and the  Nancy Cruzan case and the moral issues that are raised in these cases.
 

7.      You should know what arguments can be advanced for and against voluntary active euthanasia.

8.      You should be prepared to do a case analysis. In preparing an analysis, you must define as many moral issues as you can, use the appropriate concepts to discuss the issues, and use the ethical theory of your choice to argue for your position.  Before using an ethical theory, it is a good idea to explain what it is.  For example, you might state the formulations of the categorical imperative if you are going to do a Kantian analysis.  One way to make your case analysis even stronger is to anticipate objections and answer them.  If  the case presented involves a debate that we have covered in class such as the debate about the appropriate role for the nurse, your case analysis should show that you are aware of that debate and that you can provide arguments for the side that you are taking in that debate.  I strongly advise you to spend some time thinking about the case before you begin writing and to also use an outline since you need to write a coherent essay.
 

Author: Hollace Graff

Oakton Community College

October 5, 2005