Medical law and ethics: distributive justice in triage: 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.

Try it

Forensic Medicine · Medical law and ethics: distributive justice in triage

Sample item

During a surge, an ICU with one free ventilator allocates it to a 30-year-old with reversible pneumonia rather than a 78-year-old with advanced dementia, based on likelihood of benefit. Which principle chiefly governs fair allocation of such scarce resources?

AAutonomyBVeracityCNon-maleficenceDJustice

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Justice

Justice, especially distributive justice, is the ethical principle about the fair allocation of limited resources and benefits among patients. Allocation criteria should be transparent and not based on social worth, wealth or status.

Option by option

A. Autonomy
Autonomy concerns a patient's right to decide, not who gets scarce resources.
B. Veracity
Veracity is the duty of truth-telling.
C. Non-maleficence
Non-maleficence is the duty not to cause harm.
D. Justice (correct)
Correct. Fair allocation of scarce resources is a question of justice.

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 D, Justice. Justice, especially distributive justice, is the ethical principle about the fair allocation of limited resources and benefits among patients.

Why is "Autonomy" not the answer?

Autonomy concerns a patient's right to decide, not who gets scarce resources.

Why is "Veracity" not the answer?

Veracity is the duty of truth-telling.

Why is "Non-maleficence" not the answer?

Non-maleficence is the duty not to cause harm.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Medical law and ethics: distributive justice in triage in Forensic Medicine. Allocation criteria should be transparent and not based on social worth, wealth or status.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. 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 law and ethics: distributive justice in triage?

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.