DEPARTMENT OF RESPIRATORY THERAPY

MANAGEMENT AND HEALTHCARE ETHICS

FINAL EXAMINATION

Name: Ian Jewel M. Berbano

Course/ Yr/ Sec:BSRT-3B
Essay. Answer the following questions. (5 points each)

1. As a future healthcare professional, do you think you will ever put in a position where your
personal ethics are in conflict with the requirements of your profession? What will you do?
As a future healthcare professional, when faced with conflicting personal ethics and professional
requirements, I'll communicate openly, seek guidance, and follow ethical principles to find a resolution
aligning with both my values and professional duties. In pursuing a healthcare career, the inevitability
of personal ethics conflicting with professional demands is acknowledged. Anticipating such situations,
the commitment to patient well-being and ethical principles is emphasized. Healthcare professionals
operate under principles like autonomy and justice, but diverse personal beliefs may lead to clashes.
Conscientious objection, where personal convictions conflict with medical procedures, is discussed as a
common scenario. Addressing conflicts involves proactive approaches, open communication, and
seeking guidance from colleagues and ethical committees. Collaboration and alternative solutions
respecting personal values and professional responsibilities are highlighted. Continuous self-
awareness, reflection on biases, and ongoing education in ethics are deemed crucial. The conclusion
emphasizes a commitment to navigating ethical complexities while upholding high standards of care
and respecting patients' dignity and autonomy.

2. As a healthcare professional, will you be able to disengage your emotions when dealing with ethical
conflicts?
It's challenging for healthcare professionals to completely detach emotions in ethical conflicts, but
maintaining objectivity is crucial. Balancing empathy and professional judgment ensures patient-
centered care while upholding ethical standards. Healthcare professionals face inherent ethical
conflicts requiring a delicate balance between empathy and objectivity. While emotional connection
with patients is crucial, excessive involvement can impede impartial decision-making. Disengaging
emotions doesn't negate empathy but necessitates a measured approach, analyzing situations
objectively and prioritizing ethical principles. Recognizing and mitigating personal biases is vital for
objective evaluations. Emotional intelligence is essential in emotionally charged scenarios, like end-of-
life decisions. Ongoing professional development, including education and a supportive organizational
culture, equips healthcare professionals to navigate ethical conflicts with professionalism, ensuring
decisions are grounded in ethics and patient interests.

3. Should family members allowed to discontinue life support?

Ending life support for a family member is a complex decision involving the patient's wishes, quality of
life, and medical prognosis. Open communication and respecting the patient's directives or the family's
consensus are crucial in this personal choice. The essay explores the complex ethical dilemma of
discontinuing life support for a family member, emphasizing the principles of autonomy, informed
decision-making, and compassionate care. It delves into the challenges faced by families as surrogate
decision-makers when a patient is incapacitated, considering the importance of respecting the
patient's wishes and balancing medical realities. It discusses the ethical intertwining of prognosis,
meaningful recovery, and the imperative to prioritize the well-being and dignity of the individual. It
acknowledges the emotional toll on families and underscores the ethical responsibility of providing
emotional support. Emphasizing open communication and shared decision-making, the essay
recognizes the need for cultural competence and sensitivity in addressing diverse perspectives. In
conclusion, it advocates for a delicate balance in navigating this ethical terrain through a collaborative
approach involving medical expertise, empathy, and respect for individual values.
 4. Do parents have a religious right to refuse life-saving blood transfusions for their child?
Respecting religious beliefs is important, but when it comes to life-saving interventions for children,
their best interests should be prioritized. Legal intervention may be necessary if refusal threatens the
child's well-being. The essay delves into the complex ethical dilemma of whether parents possess a
religious right to deny life-saving blood transfusions for their child. It explores the interplay between
parental rights, religious freedom, and the obligation to safeguard a child's well-being. The discussion
acknowledges the fundamental parental autonomy but underscores ethical boundaries when a child's
life is endangered, necessitating medical intervention. Balancing religious freedom against the child's
best interests is recognized as a delicate ethical task, with the essay emphasizing the ethical duty of
prioritizing the child's well-being. It discusses the role of medical professionals, legal interventions, and
the nuanced considerations of a child's evolving autonomy in making health decisions. Additionally,
societal perspectives on the limits of religious freedom in cases involving minors contribute to the
ethical discourse. In conclusion, the essay advocates for a delicate balance involving open
communication, ethical education, and, when necessary, legal intervention to prioritize the child's well-
being over conflicting religious beliefs.

5. Should people be allowed to sell organs for use in transplant?

Selling organs for transplant raises ethical concerns about autonomy and exploitation. Strict
regulations and ethical frameworks are essential to ensure fairness, safety, and prevent the
exploitation of vulnerable individuals. It explores the complex issue of whether individuals should be
allowed to sell organs for transplantation. It examines the potential benefits of a regulated organ
market, including addressing the critical organ shortage and providing financial incentives for donors.
However, ethical concerns are highlighted, emphasizing the risk of exploitation, particularly for
vulnerable individuals in precarious socioeconomic positions. The essay also discusses potential
disparities in access to organs based on financial means, questioning justice and fairness. The impact
on the altruistic nature of organ donation and the potential emergence of an illegal organ trade are
additional ethical considerations. In conclusion, the essay underscores the need for a careful balance
between addressing the organ shortage and maintaining ethical standards, advocating for thorough
examination, robust regulation, and a careful evaluation of potential consequences for individuals and
society.

6. Should humans be cloned?

The ethical considerations of human cloning involve identity, autonomy, and potential misuse.
Decisions should be guided by a thorough examination of purpose, risks, and societal impact within a
strong ethical framework. It explores the ethical and scientific complexities surrounding the question of
human cloning. It discusses the potential benefits, such as advancements in organ transplantation and
regenerative medicine, along with the possibility of preserving exceptional traits. However, it highlights
profound ethical concerns related to autonomy, identity, societal implications, and the potential
misuse of cloning technology. The essay underscores the delicate balance needed between scientific
progress and ethical considerations, emphasizing the necessity of addressing the risks associated with
cloning, including developmental abnormalities and unforeseen health issues. Overall, the exploration
of human cloning requires careful consideration of both potential benefits and inherent risks to align
scientific progress with ethical values and societal well-being.

7. What should be done with fertilized frozen embryos when parents no longer want them?
Deciding the fate of fertilized frozen embryos is ethically complex, involving options like donation,
embryo adoption, or respectful disposal. Choices should reflect the parties' wishes and societal values.
It examines the intricate ethical dilemma surrounding the fate of fertilized frozen embryos when parents no
longer want them. It explores different perspectives, emphasizing the tension between reproductive autonomy
and moral considerations regarding the embryo's status. It discusses options such as donation for research or
adoption, highlighting the importance of informed consent and psychological support in collaborative decision-
making processes. Recognizing broader societal implications, the essay stresses the need for clear guidelines and
legal frameworks to ensure ethical decisions that respect the rights of all parties involved. Additionally, it
considers technological advancements like artificial wombs as potential solutions, concluding that responsible
navigation of these complexities requires ongoing ethical discussions and legal structures.
 8. Should a patient be told that the healthcare provider has AIDS?
Revealing a healthcare provider's HIV status to a patient requires a delicate balance of transparency,
patient safety, and non-discrimination. Decisions should be based on ethical principles, public health
guidelines, and legal obligations. The question of whether a patient should be told that their healthcare
provider has AIDS involves a delicate balance between patient autonomy, healthcare provider
confidentiality, and public health considerations. Striving for transparent communication while
respecting confidentiality is essential in navigating this ethical dilemma. Legal and ethical guidelines
should be consulted to ensure that decisions are made in the best interest of both the patient and the
healthcare provider, fostering an environment of trust, respect, and responsible medical practice.

9. Should aborted fetuses be used for medical research?

Using aborted fetuses for medical research raises concerns about consent and respect for human
remains. Clear guidelines, informed consent, and adherence to ethical standards are crucial in
addressing this sensitive issue. The use of aborted fetuses for medical research prompts a complex
examination involving potential benefits, ethical concerns, and cultural, religious, and legal factors.
Striking a balance between scientific knowledge pursuit and respect for the fetus's moral status and
diverse community values is crucial in responsibly navigating this ethically intricate landscape. Ongoing
dialogue should engage collaboration among the scientific community, ethicists, policymakers, and the
public to uphold ethical standards while advancing medical research for the benefit of humanity.

10. Who decides if a 75-year old patient or a 56-year old patient gets a single kidney available for
transplant?
Allocating a single kidney for transplant involves complex considerations like medical urgency and
potential success. Fair and transparent allocation systems, guided by medical expertise and ethical
principles, ensure an equitable distribution and deciding who receives a single kidney for transplant,
whether a 75-year-old or a 56-year-old patient, involves a delicate interplay of medical, ethical, and
societal considerations. Balancing age-related factors, medical urgency, distributive justice, and
individual autonomy requires a collaborative effort among healthcare professionals, ethics committees,
and the patients themselves. Engaging in ongoing societal conversations about organ allocation is
pivotal in fostering a collective understanding of the ethical principles guiding these decisions and
ensuring a fair and compassionate approach to transplant candidacy.