Ethics Flashcards
What are the four main cornerstones of medical ethics?
Autonomy
Non-maleficence
Beneficence
Justice
What is meant by the principle of autonomy in medical ethics?
‘Self-rule’ i.e. respecting and following the patient’s decisions in the management of their condition
What is meant by the principle of justice in medical ethics?
Doing what is good for the population as a whole and distributing resources fairly
What is needed to be proven in a case of potential medical negligence?
Doctor had a duty of care
There was a breach in the appropriate standard of care
Breath in duty of care caused harm
Under what circumstances must a doctor breach confidentiality to appropriate sources?
Notifiable diseases
Drug addiction
Abortion
IVF
Organ transplant
Births and deaths
Police request
Search warrant
Court order
Prevention, apprehension or prosecution of perpetrators of serious crime
What driving restrictions are in place for a person with a first unprovoked seizure with a low rate of recurrence?
For standard private license, 6 months if fit free. 6 months during any treatment changes.
For HGV/PGV license, 5 years and only then if risk of recurrence is <2% per year
What driving restrictions are in place for a person with a diagnosis of epilepsy?
standard license = 1 year if fit free
HGV/PGV license = only to be lifted after 10 years if fit free of medication
What driving restrictions are in place after an acute coronary event?
1 month if untreated/ongoing complications. 1 week if treated with PCI and normal LV function
for HGV license - 6 weeks if symptom free and no inducible ischaemia
What driving restrictions are in place after a stroke or TIA?
Normal license can resume after 1 month if no persistent deficit. If ongoing deficit, will depend on exact disability
For HGV license, can resume after 1 year if no persistent deficit
What driving restrictions are in place for someone with diabetes dependent on insulin?
Private license needs to inform DVLA. Can drive if no visual impairment and aware of hypos.
HGV drivers banned
How is brain stem death diagnosed?
Assessments by two independent consultants showing that:
Cause of death is known and all potentially treatable causes have been excluded. Unconscious state is irreversible and permanent
Brain stem reflexes are absent and no spontaneous respiratory drive and paCO2 of >50
What are the brain stem reflexes tested to ascertain brain stem death?
Pupillary reflex
Corneal reflex
Motor cranial nerve responses
Vestibulocochlear reflex
Gag and cough reflex
What are contraindications to organ harvesting?
HIV
Prion disease
Metastatic tumours
Severe atherosclerosis
