Medical ethics: principle of double effect: 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: principle of double effect

Sample item

A doctor titrates morphine to relieve severe pain in a terminally ill cancer patient, knowing that respiratory depression might hasten death, though the intent is only to relieve pain. Which ethical principle justifies this?

APaternalismBDoctrine of necessityCPrinciple of double effectDTherapeutic privilege

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Principle of double effect

The principle of double effect holds that an action with a good intended effect (pain relief) can be ethical even if a foreseen but unintended bad effect (hastened death) may occur, provided the good effect is not achieved through the bad one and is proportionate. It differs from euthanasia, where death itself is the intention.

Option by option

A. Paternalism
Paternalism means overriding a patient's wishes for his supposed benefit.
B. Doctrine of necessity
Doctrine of necessity justifies action in emergency without consent.
C. Principle of double effect (correct)
Correct. Intended pain relief with an unintended risk fits the principle of double effect.
D. Therapeutic privilege
Therapeutic privilege concerns withholding information from a patient.

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.

Questions about this Forensic Medicine question

What is the answer to this Forensic Medicine question?

The best answer is C, Principle of double effect. The principle of double effect holds that an action with a good intended effect (pain relief) can be ethical even if a foreseen but unintended bad effect (hastened death) may occur, provided the good effect is not achieved through the bad one and is proportionate.

Why is "Paternalism" not the answer?

Paternalism means overriding a patient's wishes for his supposed benefit.

Why is "Doctrine of necessity" not the answer?

Doctrine of necessity justifies action in emergency without consent.

Why is "Therapeutic privilege" not the answer?

Therapeutic privilege concerns withholding information from a patient.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Medical ethics: principle of double effect in Forensic Medicine. It differs from euthanasia, where death itself is the intention.

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: principle of double effect?

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.