Medical ethics: refusal of treatment: practice question

A Forensic Medicine question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Forensic Medicine · Medical ethics: refusal of treatment

Sample item

A 35-year-old competent Jehovah's Witness with a haemoglobin of 6 g/dL after postpartum haemorrhage refuses blood transfusion after being fully informed. Which ethical principle most directly requires the doctor to respect this refusal?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

D. Autonomy

Autonomy is the right of a competent, informed adult to accept or refuse treatment, even when refusal may result in harm or death. The doctor should explain the risks, offer alternatives such as iron or erythropoietin and cell salvage where acceptable, and document the refusal. Beneficence and non-maleficence would push towards transfusion but cannot override a valid refusal.

Option by option

  • A. Beneficence

    Beneficence is the duty to do good, which would favour transfusion but does not override refusal.

  • B. Non-maleficence

    Non-maleficence is the duty to avoid harm, which does not justify forcing treatment on a competent adult.

  • C. Justice

    Justice concerns fair distribution of resources and is not the principle at stake.

  • D. Autonomy (correct)

    Correct. A competent informed refusal is protected by respect for autonomy.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

More Forensic Medicine questions

Questions about this Forensic Medicine question

What is the answer to this Forensic Medicine question?

The best answer is D, Autonomy. Autonomy is the right of a competent, informed adult to accept or refuse treatment, even when refusal may result in harm or death.

Why is "Beneficence" not the answer?

Beneficence is the duty to do good, which would favour transfusion but does not override refusal.

Why is "Non-maleficence" not the answer?

Non-maleficence is the duty to avoid harm, which does not justify forcing treatment on a competent adult.

Why is "Justice" not the answer?

Justice concerns fair distribution of resources and is not the principle at stake.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Medical ethics: refusal of treatment in Forensic Medicine. The doctor should explain the risks, offer alternatives such as iron or erythropoietin and cell salvage where acceptable, and document the refusal. Beneficence and non-maleficence would push towards transfusion but cannot override a valid refusal.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Medical ethics: refusal of treatment?

Learn postmortem changes with their timelines, and toxicology as poison, sign, test and antidote. Then use the flashcards and the other Forensic Medicine questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.