Final answer:
A consultation is when one physician seeks another's opinion for patient care, and the doctor primarily responsible for a patient in a hospital is the attending physician. These roles are influenced by the ethical principles of autonomy and beneficence, particularly in complex situations, like those involving ethical decisions about end-of-life care.
Step-by-step explanation:
Those services rendered by a physician whose opinion or advice is requested by another physician or agency in the evaluation and/or treatment of a patient is known as a consultation, whereas the physician who has primary responsibility for the patient in the hospital is called the attending physician. The principle of autonomy indicates that patients have the right to make their own health care decisions, which can include seeking a consultation. Meanwhile, the principle of beneficence suggests that physicians should act in ways that are beneficial for their patients, including providing thorough care and potentially consulting with specialists when necessary for the patient's well-being.
Furthermore, when discussing medical ethics, it is crucial to understand that actively ending a patient's life through euthanasia is seen by many as incompatible with the physician's role to do no harm. This ties back into the primary responsibility of the attending physician, who is responsible for overseeing the patient's care, including navigating complex ethical decisions that might involve consultations with other healthcare professionals.