Deck 9: Professional Relationship Issues

Question 1

In general, which is true of the physician-nurse relationship in a hospital setting?

A) The physician is the nurse's "boss," and the nurse is obligated to follow the physician's orders.
B) The physician has total autonomy. The nurse is a limited moral agent.
C) Facility policies and procedures determine the nature and extent of each person's moral agency.
D) Both the nurse and the physician are autonomous moral agents with primary obligation owed to the patient.

Answer 1

Both the nurse and the physician are autonomous moral agents with primary obligation owed to the patient.

Question 2

A 56-year-old African American nurse applied for a job at a small privately owned clinic. Even though she was well qualified for the job, she was not hired because her preemployment physical revealed that she has severe, long-term, uncontrolled hypertension. Which of the following is true?

A) Because the clinic is small and privately owned, the administrator must prove that the woman's medical condition will cause undue hardship on the business.
B) Because the nurse is an African American, this action violates the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
C) Because the clinic is an at-will employer, the administrator can institute these types of criteria for employment.
D) To base employment decisions on preemployment physical examinations violates the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Answer 2

To base employment decisions on preemployment physical examinations violates the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Question 3

A staff nurse suspects that her friend, another nurse on her unit, is impaired by illicit drugs. The nurse doesn't want to get her friend in trouble, but she fears that patients may be harmed. This conflict of loyalty is an example of:

A) a moral dilemma.
B) a practical dilemma.
C) moral uncertainty.
D) moral distress.

Answer 3

a practical dilemma.

Question 4

Racism is prohibited by which of the following?

A) The Civil Rights Act of 1964
B) The ICN Code of Ethics for Nurses
C) The ANA Code of Ethics for Nurses
D) All of the above

Question 5

Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination that violates the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Which statements are true regarding sexual harassment? Select all that apply.

A) The two categories of sexual harassment include quid pro quo and hostile work environment.
B) Hostile-work-environment sexual harassment occurs when submission to or a rejection of the sexual conduct of an individual is used as a basis for employment.
C) Majority of sexual harassment claims are filed by women.
D) Sexual harassment entails emotional costs such as anger, humiliation, and fear.
E) Direct costs of sexual harassment may include counseling and lawyers fees.

Question 6

Sexual harassment is defined as:

A) unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal, nonverbal, or physical conduct of a sexual nature.
B) multiple episodes of inappropriate sexual behavior in the workplace.
C) intermittent and continual threats of a sexual nature.
D) sexual advances, whether welcome or unwelcome, sexual contact, and oral and written communication of a sexual nature.

Question 7

When delegating patient care activities, the registered nurse has a responsibility to:

A) assess individual competency when assigning nursing care activities to other health care workers.
B) divide the activities fairly between health care workers.
C) teach subordinate health care workers proper techniques and procedures.
D) observe ancillary staff as they perform delegated activities.

Question 8

A facility administrator systematically passes over all Hispanic nurses who apply for promotion, regardless of their qualifications and abilities. According to the Civil Rights Act of 1964, this is an example of which of the following?

A) Disparate impact
B) Segregation
C) Stereotyping
D) Disparate treatment

Question 9

Employer discrimination based on race, gender, ethnicity, and disabilities violates which ethical principle?

A) Justice
B) Beneficence
C) Nonmaleficence
D) Confidentiality

Question 10

Cues for recognizing harassment could include:

A) invasion of space.
B) lack of respect.
C) confirmation.
D) all of the above.

Question 11

The nurse's primary obligation is to which of the following?

A) The patient
B) The employer
C) The physician
D) The profession

Question 12

Any physiologic disorder or condition, cosmetic disfigurement, or anatomical loss affecting any body system is a:

A) mental impairment.
B) disability.
C) physical impairment.
D) major life enjoyment.

Question 13

_____________ occurs when one directs hostile or aggressive behavior toward another member of the same group.

A) Discrimination
B) Lateral violence
C) Sexual harassment
D) Disparate impact

Question 14

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) has several positions including which of the following? Select all that apply.

A) It ensures people with disabilities are not excluded from job opportunities.
B) It allows the practice of requiring medical examinations before employment.
C) Prospective employers may ask questions about disabilities, past medical history, or previous workers' compensation claims.
D) Employers may question individuals about educational qualifications, experience, and their ability to perform the job safely with or without accommodations.
E) Upon request from disabled employees, employers must make necessary physical accommodations to the workplace.

Question 15

A physician writes an order that the registered nurse believes will harm the patient. She views the physician as incompetent. Which of the following is the most appropriate action for the nurse?

A) She should follow the order anyway because the physician's education is superior to hers.
B) She should pursue the chain of authority. If the supervisor and others support the physician, she should follow the order.
C) After pursuing the issue with the physician and her superiors, she should disobey all orders that she believes are illegal, immoral, or incompetent.
D) If she is forced to follow the order, she should file a formal complaint against the physician.