'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.