'Mercy killing' refers to which concept?

'Mercy killing' refers to which concept?

• A. Autonomy
• B. Euthanasia
• C. Caring
• D. Honesty

Answer: (B)

Mercy killing is the term that directly describes euthanasia—the intentional act of ending a person’s life to relieve unbearable suffering. This matches the concept because it focuses on the deliberate cause of death to prevent or relieve pain. Autonomy is about a patient’s right to make their own choices, including end-of-life decisions, but it refers to decision-making rather than the act of ending life. Caring refers to a concern for another’s well-being, a motivation that can underlie decisions but is not the specific term for the act itself. Honesty involves truth-telling and integrity, which don’t capture the action of ending life to relieve suffering. Euthanasia, then, is the term that best fits mercy killing.

Mercy killing is the term that directly describes euthanasia—the intentional act of ending a person’s life to relieve unbearable suffering. This matches the concept because it focuses on the deliberate cause of death to prevent or relieve pain. Autonomy is about a patient’s right to make their own choices, including end-of-life decisions, but it refers to decision-making rather than the act of ending life. Caring refers to a concern for another’s well-being, a motivation that can underlie decisions but is not the specific term for the act itself. Honesty involves truth-telling and integrity, which don’t capture the action of ending life to relieve suffering. Euthanasia, then, is the term that best fits mercy killing.