Deck 11: Perspectives on the Rights of Nurses

Question 1

Is it acceptable for a nurse to refuse to care for a patient with a highly contagious illness, such as severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)?

A) It is acceptable because the nurse might become infected and could then pass the infection on to her family.
B) It is not acceptable because the Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) Code of Ethics for Registered Nurses states that in a natural or human-made disaster, nurses have a duty to provide care to all patients.
C) It is acceptable if appropriate safety precautions are not in place.
D) It is not acceptable because the principle of justice dictates that a patient with an infectious disease deserves the same care as everyone else.

Answer 1

It is acceptable if appropriate safety precautions are not in place.

Question 2

A common concern of nurses considering a strike vote is based on the ethical principle of nonmaleficence.

Answer 2

True

Question 3

Which of the following strategies has a positive impact on reducing moral distress?

A) Providing mentoring programs
B) Altering the skill mix on inpatient units
C) Increasing the length of nurses' shifts
D) Increasing the emphasis on justice

Answer 3

Providing mentoring programs

Question 4

Which of the following is the most common form of nurse-to-nurse violence?

A) Sexual harassment
B) Nurses "eating their young"
C) Assault
D) Bullying

Question 5

Which of the following is an example of a conscientious objection?

A) A nurse refuses to care for a homosexual patient.
B) A nurse refuses to care for a patient with cocaine addiction.
C) A nurse refuses to assist in an abortion.
D) A nurse refuses to care for patients of the opposite sex.

Question 6

What is the primary purpose of occupational health and safety committees in the workplace?

A) To conform with provincial legislation
B) To protect employees and keep employers from "cutting corners"
C) To identify and recommend solutions to potential workplace hazards
D) To meet collective agreement obligations

Question 7

Moral distress is the state of being convinced of the morally correct action to take but being unable to carry out the action.

Question 8

Union representatives are involved in which of the following two functions?

A) Arbitrations and decertification processes
B) Representing nurses during a disciplinary process and preventing the termination of a nurse with cause
C) Collective bargaining and the management of grievances
D) Performance appraisals and sick time management

Question 9

Unions in Canada are organized under the provisions of the Canada Labour Relations Act.

Question 10

Which of the following is an indicator of a healthy work environment?

A) Reduced absenteeism
B) Increased staff commitment to the organization
C) High levels of staff satisfaction
D) All are correct

Question 11

Which of the following is the least effective way of managing workplace violence?

A) Taking immediate disciplinary action when a nurse is accused of bullying behaviour
B) Undertaking risk assessments to identify vulnerable environments
C) Following up on every incident
D) Engaging leaders in in fostering awareness in their teams about what constitutes workplace violence

Question 12

The main purpose of collective bargaining is the protection of workers' rights.

Question 13

Which of the following is an implication of workplace violence?

A) Compromising patient safety
B) Injury and emotional and psychological trauma
C) Impact on retention, absenteeism, morale, and productivity
D) All are correct

Question 14

A nurse who works in a busy emergency department is invited to a family reunion planned for the weekend she is scheduled to work 12-hour shifts. She has been unsuccessful in having her manager change the schedule or in finding colleagues to relieve her. What are her next steps?

A) Engage and pay for the services of an agency nurse.
B) Revisit the request with the manager, and try to negotiate a reciprocal arrangement.
C) Express concerns to the manager's supervisor.
D) Plan to call in sick.

Question 15

Home care nurses are expected to deal with additional risk in their jobs because they are sent to unknown environments.