Deck 5: Legal and Ethical Aspects of Health Care

Question 1

A client recovering from surgery does not want to move out of bed because of pain. The nurse explains the long-term effects of staying in bed and the benefits of movement. The client agrees and is assisted out of bed. This is an example of:

A) autonomy.
B) nonmaleficence.
C) beneficence.
D) justice.

Answer 1

beneficence.

Question 2

The nurse caring for elderly clients begins to experience anger, guilt, and frustration over the prescribed medical treatments for the clients. The nurse is demonstrating which of the following?

A) Moral distress
B) Burnout
C) Signs of a chronic illness
D) Evidence of an acute illness

Answer 2

Moral distress

Question 3

An elderly client with septic leg wounds develops multi-system organ failure. The physicians discuss treatment options with the family but explain that success to reverse the condition is minimal. The family has decided to stop all further treatment of the client. This scenario is an example of:

A) medical futility.
B) do-not-resuscitate.
C) assisted suicide.
D) active euthanasia.

Answer 3

medical futility.

Question 4

A client, hospitalized with an extensive cerebral vascular accident, is unable to make any treatment decisions. Which of the following documents addresses the client's treatment choices? (Select all that apply.)

A) Living will
B) Durable power of attorney for health care
C) Incident report
D) Verbal advance directive
E) Advance directive
F) Medication administration record

Question 5

When the nurse obtains a client's signature for informed consent, the nurse's responsibility is the verification that:

A) the client understands everything about the procedure.
B) a family member witnesses the signature.
C) the client was not coerced into signing the form.
D) the client has asked questions.

Question 6

The nurse is preparing a consent form for a client to sign before a procedure. Which of the following statements explains a characteristic of informed consent?

A) The client does not need autonomy to give consent.
B) Minors are permitted to give consent.
C) The client does not need to give consent if the situation is an emergency.
D) If the client is of legal age, he or she does not need the cognitive ability to understand.

Question 7

The nurse who bases client care actions on the principle of "greatest good" is implementing which ethical theory?

A) Teleology
B) Deontology
C) Utilitarian
D) Justice

Question 8

The nurse reviews the American Nurses Association's Code of Ethics for Nurses. Which of the following is included in this code?

A) Care is provided with compassion and respect.
B) Primary commitment is to the client.
C) Strive to protect the health, safety, and rights of the client.
D) Delegation is not an option.
E) Client needs supercede those of the nurse.
F) Collaboration with other health care professionals is expected.

Question 9

The care a nurse provides to clients is considered as being a benefit to their health and recovery. The principle that supports the nurse's behavior is considered:

A) autonomy.
B) nonmaleficence.
C) beneficence.
D) justice.

Question 10

The nurse is providing care for a client who is 18 years old. Which of the following ethical principles should be implemented for this client?

A) Liberty
B) Agency
C) Justice
D) Autonomy

Question 11

A client, being treated with chemotherapy and radiation for terminal cancer, decides to stop any further treatment and enter the hospice program. The nurse realizes this client's decision is supported by the ethical principle of:

A) autonomy.
B) nonmaleficence.
C) beneficence.
D) justice.

Question 12

The nurse, caring for an elderly client recovering from a fractured coccyx, wants to discuss palliative care. The client becomes alarmed and asks "is there something you aren't telling me? Am I dying?" Which of the following should the nurse respond?

A) "We are all dying."
B) "It's an approach to care to help relieve pain and provide you with support."
C) "It's care provided to all elderly patients."
D) "Since it is covered by Medicare, you are entitled to it."

Question 13

An elderly terminally ill client is experiencing apnea periods and within an hour, dies. No efforts were provided to resuscitate this client. Which of the following would describe this client event?

A) Do-not-resuscitate
B) Coma depasse
C) Brain death
D) Passive euthanasia
E) Assisted suicide
F) Active euthanasia

Question 14

The health care team is addressing an ethical issue regarding one client's continuing care. The nurse wants to ensure that the principle of justice is taken into consideration. Which of the following ethical decision-making modules would support this principle?

A) Medical indications
B) Patient preferences
C) Quality of life
D) Contextual features

Question 15

A client is asked to participate in a research study. The client does not want to participate but does not want to seem unwilling to receive treatment for an illness. Which of the following should the nurse explain to this client?

A) Negative effects from research rarely occur.
B) It is an honor to be asked to participate in a research study.
C) Refusing to participate is the client's right.
D) The physician wants the client to participate.

Question 16

The nurse provides a terminally ill client with dose of a newly prescribed pain medication. Shortly afterwards, the client experiences respiratory arrest and dies. Which of the following describes this client scenario?

A) Euthanasia
B) Assisted suicide
C) Intended effect
D) Double effect

Question 17

The nurse is analyzing the main principles of clinical ethics prior to planning care for a client. Which of the following are considered the main principles of clinical ethics? (Select all that apply.)

A) Malfeasance
B) Autonomy
C) Liberty
D) Nonmaleficence
E) Beneficence
F) Justice

Question 18

The nurse is confronted with an ethical decision regarding a client's continuing care. Which of the following approaches can be used to reach a decision for this client? (Select all that apply.)

A) Medical indications
B) Client preferences
C) Quality of life
D) Health insurance plan
E) Contextual features
F) Integrated model