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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why does Dr. Butler suggest to Kenny that they may "let nature take its course" with Landon?

2. What do Lin, Randy and Cindy discuss at the beginning of Chapter 10?

3. What is Claire doing at the beginning of Chapter 21?

4. Who is the financial administrator at Hermann?

5. Who is Armando's social worker?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Armando's condition, as described in the Epilogue?

2. What is Mary Coffey's relationship with Armando?

3. What happens with Taylor's ventilator in Chapter 13?

4. What are the guidelines the Committee must follow regarding withdrawing life support, as set forth by Randy in Chapter 25?

5. What happened to Javier after he quit Hermann?

6. Why wasn't Hermann Hospital built right away?

7. What is the hospital's situation when the book was written in 1988?

8. How does Armando behave with his nurses at Hermann?

9. What are the other two hospitals in Houston?

10. What are Hazel Mitchell's responsibilities at Hermann?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The Ethics Committee at Hermann is a very important part of the hospital's function. Why is their job so important? What would happen to the functioning of the hospital, if the Ethics Committee did not exist? What would the doctors have to do differently? How does the Ethics Committee help to comfort patients' families when they have to make difficult decisions? Be sure to cite specific examples from the text to support your thesis.

Essay Topic 2

The Ethics Committee has strict rules regarding when it is appropriate to withdraw a patient's life support. Do you agree with the rules and standards they have? Why or why not? Do you believe it is ever appropriate to withdraw life support from a patient? Why or why not? If you were the family of one of the patients at Hermann, what would you have done, and why? Be sure to cite specific examples from the text to support your thesis.

Essay Topic 3

Compare and contrast the actions and personalities of Patrick and Armando. What is different about their relationships with the hospital staff, and why? What are the similarities and differences in their home situations? What do you think would have happened if they had met? Why do they have such different attitudes about their respective illnesses? Be sure to cite specific examples from the text to support your thesis.

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