Benjamin Freedman | Offering Truth: One Ethical Approach to the Uninformed

question 95

Multiple Choice

Benjamin Freedman | Offering Truth: One Ethical Approach to the Uninformed Cancer Patient
Freedman details an approach to ameliorating the tensions that can arise among and between health-care providers, patients, and family members over disclosing the truth about cancer diagnoses, particularly in cases in which the family's cultural background does not include Western medicine. His "offering truth" approach allows patients to determine exactly how much truth about a diagnosis they are willing to hear. Family members are generally happy to accept a patient's own desires in this matter.
-The failure to discuss with the patient his or her diagnosis can directly result in

• A) inadequate medical care.
• B) inappropriate medical care.
• C) depriving the patient of taking care of "unfinished business."
• D) all of the above

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Definitions:

Ratification

The principal’s approval of an unauthorized act performed by an agent or by one who has no authority to act as an agent. Also, an approval of a contract made by a minor after reaching maturity.

Contractual Obligation

A legal duty that arises out of a contract, requiring a party to either perform or refrain from performing certain acts.

Exculpatory Agreement

A clause that says one of the parties to a contract, generally the one who wrote the contract, is not liable for any economic loss or physical injury, even if that party caused the loss or injury.

Exculpatory Clause

A clause in a contract that releases a party from liability for his or her wrongful acts. These clauses are not favored by law.