Deck 3: Guiding Ethical Decision Making: Resources for Nurses

Question 1

Which of the following is being used by an interdisciplinary team that implements and evaluates a plan of action after considering key players, clarifying values, and exploring alternatives?

A) A code of ethics
B) An ethics committee
C) Practice standards
D) An ethical decision-making model

Answer 1

An ethical decision-making model

Question 2

Of those listed below, who is most likely to be a member of a hospital ethics committee?

A) Funeral director
B) Chaplain
C) Community activist
D) Palliative care volunteer

Answer 2

Chaplain

Question 3

The use of an ethical decision-making model ensures the protection of an organization from liability.

Answer 3

False

Question 4

All nurses in Canada are expected to meet the ethical standards embedded in the Canadian Nurses Association Code of Ethics for Registered Nurses.

Question 5

Which primary value from the Canadian Nurses Association's Code of Ethics is being followed by a nurse who intervenes to address an unsafe nursing practice?

A) Being accountable
B) Providing safe, compassionate, competent, and ethical care
C) Promoting justice
D) Promoting health and well-being

Question 6

Which of the following is demonstrated when a nurse takes an unresolved ethical situation forward to an ethics committee?

A) Nonmaleficence
B) Beneficence
C) Accountability
D) Promoting justice

Question 7

Which of the following is true of the Canadian Nurses Association's Code of Ethics for Registered Nurses?

A) It offers suggestions on resolving routine practice issues.
B) It contains a dispute resolution mechanism.
C) It offers a framework and guide for ethical practice.
D) It is closely aligned with the physician's code of ethics.

Question 8

Which of the following statements best describes the "ethical responsibilities" in the Canadian Nurses Association's Code of Ethics?

A) Ethical responsibility deals with ethical endeavours.
B) Nurses' ethical responsibilities are informed by seven primary values.
C) Social justice must be addressed consistently.
D) Primary nursing values outline caring responsibilities.

Question 9

Which of the following was a focus of codes of ethics during earlier nursing times?

A) Professional standards
B) Practice standards
C) The scope of practice standards
D) The virtue and morality of nurses

Question 10

The Registered Nurses Association of Ontario has introduced over 50 best practice guidelines that were developed by nurses across Canada and have been adopted internationally.

Question 11

Which of the following rationale explains the development of the ethical endeavours section of the Canadian Nurses Association's Code of Ethics?

A) Nurses are expanding their advocacy role.
B) Canadians have become more diverse and have different health care needs.
C) Nurses work with more "English as a second language" clients.
D) Health resources are increasingly scarce.

Question 12

A code of ethics identifies disciplinary actions and resulting consequences for nurses who are investigated for misconduct.

Question 13

Which primary ethical nursing value is being followed by a nurse who respects the wishes of a patient to decline to receive information about his or her health condition?

A) Promoting and respecting informed decision making
B) Preserving dignity
C) Being accountable
D) Promoting health and well-being

Question 14

Which of the following statements best describes an outcome of the ethical decision-making process?

A) There must only be one possible outcome.
B) There must be several equally acceptable options.
C) The goal is to discuss options, not decisions.
D) More than one proposed intervention may be ethical.

Question 15

What is the main role of an ethics committee?

A) Consultation
B) Education
C) Policy
D) All are correct

Question 16

Ethical principles inform only modern codes of ethics.

Question 17

Which of the following best describes the goals of an ethics committee?

A) To provide a single view toward the outcome of an ethical issue
B) To present various views or "lenses" on the issues
C) To develop standards of practice for nurses
D) To ensure that comfort is achieved