Deck 11: Ethical and Legal Considerations

Question 1

The nurse realizes that a medication error has been made. The nurse then reports the error and takes responsibility to ensure patient safety despite personal consequences. This nurse has exhibited:

A) autonomy.
B) accountability.
C) justice.
D) advocacy.

Answer 1

accountability.

Question 2

The Code of Ethics for Nurses is:

A) like the Constitution and not revisable.
B) a succinct statement of ethical obligations.
C) required by entry level nurses only.
D) a negotiable document dependent on individual conscience.

Answer 2

a succinct statement of ethical obligations.

Question 3

The nurse is providing care for a patient who has had a stroke recently and has multiple self-care deficits. The nurse is coordinating care with in-home agencies and arranging for the delivery of needed equipment. What ethical concept is being applied?

A) Advocacy
B) Confidentiality
C) Autonomy
D) Accountability

Answer 3

Advocacy

Question 4

The nurse is providing patient care and pays special attention to meeting the needs of the patient while maintaining the patient's right to privacy, confidentiality, autonomy, and dignity. This nurse is applying what ethical theory?

A) Deontology
B) Utilitarianism
C) Autonomy
D) Accountability

Question 5

In the nursing profession, ethical issues:

A) are rare occurrences, but take a great deal of time to resolve.
B) have required The Joint Commission to mandate ethics committees.
C) most frequently lead to legal intervention in patient care matters.
D) lead to ethics committees made up entirely by nurses.

Question 6

The nurse is providing end-of-life care. It is essential for the nurse to:

A) tell the patient what he might like to hear to relieve anxiety.
B) begin making health care decisions for the patient.
C) provide the patient with the nurse's personal opinions.
D) offer unconditional support for the patient and family.

Question 7

Starting an intravenous (IV) infusion line on a patient against his will may be classified as:

A) assault.
B) battery.
C) a felony.
D) a misdemeanor.

Question 8

The nurse is caring for a patient whose family does not want the patient to be told about the new diagnosis of cancer because of the poor prognosis. Keeping this secret from the patient is in direct conflict with the ethical concepts of:

A) autonomy and veracity.
B) veracity and advocacy.
C) justice and nonmaleficence.
D) confidentiality and justice.

Question 9

The nurse is caring for a patient who has been belligerent and is in four-point "leather" restraints. The patient is verbally abusive and still tries to kick and punch staff even though he is restrained. The nurse should:

A) ignore the patient's needs until he "calms down."
B) strike the patient if necessary to protect herself/himself.
C) continue to attempt to meet the patient's needs.
D) threaten the patient with retaliation if he doesn't stop.

Question 10

The nurse is providing care to a patient experiencing pain. The nurse assesses the pain and promptly administers the ordered analgesics as promised to the patient. This nurse has applied:

A) autonomy.
B) accountability.
C) confidentiality.
D) fidelity.

Question 11

Nurses are consistently considered to be honest and ethical professionals by most respondents in an annual Gallup poll. This is because professional nurses understand that ethics are:

A) internal values developed outside the influence of societal norms.
B) influenced by family, friends, and socioeconomics, among other variables.
C) societal in nature and do not involve personal influences.
D) totally independent from a person's character.

Question 12

A nurse has been asked to care for a patient who is an inmate from a nearby prison. During shift report, the nurse asks, "Why was the man convicted and imprisoned?" Another nurse responds that this is not important since nurses are required to provide compassionate care for all people in all circumstances. The responding nurse has displayed what concept?

A) Beneficence
B) Advocacy
C) Confidentiality
D) Autonomy

Question 13

The nurse is caring for a patient who has had many admissions and readmissions. The nurse believes that the patient keeps coming to the hospital because the patient "wants his drugs," and is "non-compliant" at home with his diabetic therapy. To reduce the risk of slander against this patient, the nurse should:

A) write observations and opinions in the medical record only.
B) never share observations.
C) make judgmental statements only when necessary.
D) Avoid stating judgmental statements.

Question 14

Practicing nursing without a license is a:

A) misdemeanor.
B) statute.
C) felony.
D) tort.

Question 15

Which of the following statements indicates an appropriate understanding by the student nurse (SN)?

A) "I will be held to the same ethical standards as professional nurses."
B) "I will not be held ethically accountable until I graduate."
C) "My nurse educators are responsible for my ethical standards."
D) "Ethics are not important as a student."

Question 16

The nurse is caring for a patient recently diagnosed with cancer that is being asked to participate in a new chemotherapy trial. How would the nurse respond if working under the ethical principle of utilitarianism?

A) "The patient should be allowed to decide."
B) "As your nurse, I'll support your right to refuse."
C) "You should do this because many could benefit from it."
D) "If this is against your beliefs, you should not do it."

Question 17

"First, do no harm" defines what ethical principle?

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

Question 18

Each state has a nurse practice act that establishes the standards of care required for legal nursing practice. In order to protect herself/himself from litigation, the nurse should understand that:

A) laws create liability issues for nurses.
B) licensure laws are devised to protect the nurse.
C) the nurse is not responsible for other disciplines' mistakes.
D) keeping current with changing laws can protect the nurse.

Question 19

Which one of the following actions by the nursing student would be considered uncivil?

A) Prompt arrival to class
B) Texting during class
C) Attentive listening
D) Active participation in class

Question 20

The nurse frequently cares for patients who are nearing the end of life. A strategy that is designed to prolong the time of death rather than restoring life is:

A) establishing a do-not-resuscitate (DNR) order.
B) adherence to living will requests.
C) removal of extraordinary measures already in place.
D) continuance of futile care.

Question 21

State legislatures give authority to administrative bodies, such as state boards of nursing, to:

A) create statutory laws.
B) establish regulatory laws.
C) try case law cases.
D) create laws based on social mores.

Question 22

The nurse has been involved sexually with a patient. This is considered an act of:

A) malpractice.
B) libel.
C) slander.
D) battery.

Question 23

Which of the following nurses has committed a serious documentation error?

A) Susan documents all medications for her patients prior to administration.
B) Jim documents medication administration as the medications are given.
C) Jane documents assessments as they are completed.
D) Jon documents meal intake as he picks up meal trays.

Question 24

The nurse is providing care for a patient who demands discharge from the hospital against the physician's orders. In order to remove liability from the institution and the physician, the nurse has the patient review and sign the:

A) Against Medical Advice form.
B) Code of Academic and Clinical Conduct.
C) Nursing Code of Ethics.
D) Informed consent form.

Question 25

Who is ultimately responsible for explaining the content of the informed consent?

A) The registered nurse
B) The hospital social worker
C) Educated family members
D) The provider of the procedure

Question 26

Which statements are correct regarding informed consent and someone who requires an interpreter? (Select all that apply.)

A) A professional interpreter is needed.
B) A family member may interpret when convenient.
C) Detailed medical information remains a priority.
D) Professional interpreters are not effective in providing medical information.
E) If necessary, family members can make decisions regarding informed consent.

Question 27

Which law protects health care professionals from charges of negligence when providing emergency care at the scene of an accident?

A) Good Samaritan Act
B) HIPPA
C) Licensure
D) Living wills

Question 28

In addition to maintaining current professional practice knowledge, competent practice skills, and professional relationships with patients and their families, nurses should: (Select all that apply.)

A) maintain confidentiality.
B) follow legal guidelines for sharing information.
C) block document once per shift.
D) change nursing procedures according to latest journal articles.
E) meet licensure and continuing education requirements.

Question 29

Health care providers are required to supply patients with written information regarding their rights to make medical decisions and implement advance directives, which consist of three documents. Which of the following are considered "advanced directives"? (Select all that apply.)

A) Living will
B) Durable power of attorney
C) Health care proxy
D) Patient's Bill of Rights
E) The Uniform Anatomical Gift Act