Lesson 9 Review

1. The 4 common principles of medical ethics are

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2. Generally, parents are considered to be the best surrogate
decision makers for their own newborns. (True/False)
3. The parents of a baby about to be born at 23 weeks gestation have
requested that, if there is any possibility of brain damage, they do
not want any attempt made to resuscitate their baby. Which of the
following is most appropriate?
A. Support their wishes and promise to give comfort care only
to the baby after birth.
B. Tell them that you will try to support their decision, but must
wait until you examine the baby after birth to determine what
you will do.
C. Tell them that all medical decisions regarding resuscitation are
made by the medical team and the physician-in-charge.
D. Try to convince them to change their mind.

4. You have been asked to be present for the impending birth of a

baby known from prenatal ultrasound and laboratory assessments
to have major congenital malformations. List 4 issues that should
be covered when you meet the parents.
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5. A mother enters the delivery suite in active labor at 34 weeks

gestation after having had no prenatal care. She proceeds to deliver
a live-born baby with major malformations that appear to be
consistent with trisomy 18 syndrome. An attempt to resuscitate the
baby in an adjacent room is unsuccessful. Which of the following is
the most appropriate action?
A. Explain the situation to the parents and ask them if they would
like to hold the baby.
B. Take the baby away from the area, tell the parents that she was
stillborn, and tell them that it would be best if they did not see
her.
C. Tell the parents that she had a major malformation and it was
for the best that she died because she would have been
disabled anyway.

6. Which of the following is (are) appropriate to say to parents whose

baby just died after an unsuccessful resuscitation? (Select all that
apply):
A. Im sorry, we tried to resuscitate your baby, but the
resuscitation was unsuccessful and your baby died.
B. This is a terrible tragedy, but, in view of the malformations, it
was meant to be.
C. Im so sorry that your baby died. She is a beautiful baby.
D. Fortunately, you are both young and can have another baby.