Question 1

The nurse is asked to explain the meaning of ethics to a patient. The nurse should correctly state, "Ethics is a system of standards that refer to ideas and actions in terms of being (Select all that apply.):

Accepted Answer

Ethics is concerned with all of the options except "legal and illegal" and "like and dislike." Ethics and legalities are not the entirely the same, although some ethical principles may be enacted into law. "Like and dislike" refer to values.

Question 2

Leaving an unconscious patient exposed during a treatment or procedure is a violation of the ethical principle of

Accepted Answer

Autonomy includes the patient's right to privacy. It is assumed that an autonomous patient would reject unnecessary exposure of the body. Fidelity challenges the nurse to be faithful to the charge of acting in the patient's best interest when the capacity to make free choice is no longer available to the patient. Justice means the nurse must deliver fair and equal treatment to all patients, recognizing and avoiding personal bias. Nonmaleficence is the ethical principle of "first do no harm."

Question 3

Which situation can be identified as abandonment of patients by the nurse?

Accepted Answer

The nurse cannot leave a unit unless able to turn the care of patients over to a qualified nurse.

Question 4

A nurse injects himself or herself with a narcotic prescribed for a patient. This is an example of

Accepted Answer

It is unethical because the nurse has the ethical obligation to place the patient's needs above his or her own. It is illegal to use a narcotic prescribed for another person.

Question 5

The patient asks the nurse what he should do about continuing cancer treatment. The nurse responds, "You should stop before you get so weak you can't enjoy a few good weeks with your family." This is an example of

Accepted Answer

This response assumes the nurse knows what is right for the patient and robs the patient of decision making. It discounts the patient's knowledge of self. The scenario does not describe the other ethical principles listed as options.

Question 6

What actions should be taken by the nurse to increase the possibility of doing no harm while caring for a patient? (Select all that apply.)

Accepted Answer

Each of these measures, except option D, would increase the potential for nonmaleficence in practice. Performing new procedures without seeking supervision has an increased potential for doing harm.

Question 7

The nurse providing care for patients or residents must act on the knowledge that a basic right of a patient or a resident is to receive

Accepted Answer

The individual rights of patients are an important ethical theme in health care. It is imperative that nurses separate personal ethics from nursing ethics and provide appropriate care to patients regardless of whether the nurse likes or dislikes the patient and regardless of the nurse's values relating to the patient's lifestyle, ethnicity, or other factors. Receiving information about the diagnosis and prognosis is not considered a right that is met by the LPN/LVN. The remaining options are not rights.

Question 8

A way of practicing fidelity to a patient would be to

Accepted Answer

The nurse who documents the patient's expression of feelings or wishes without subjective interpretation is demonstrating fidelity (being true) to the patient. The other options demonstrate lack of fidelity.

Question 9

A major change in medical ethics that affected nursing occurred when the Western secular belief system shifted emphasis from duties to

Accepted Answer

Freedom of choice (autonomy) and the ability to assert one's individual rights have become the major operative beliefs of the Western secular belief system affecting medical ethics today. These beliefs, in turn, affect the way nurses interact with patients. Satisfying Medicare regulations and the cost-effectiveness of care are not aspects of the Western secular belief system. The remaining option is an ethical principle that has always been important in medical ethics.

Question 10

What ethical principle underlies the statement in the National Federation of Licensed Practical Nurses (NFLPN) Code for Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurses, "The practical nurse provides health care to all patients regardless of race, creed, cultural background, disease, or lifestyle"?

Accepted Answer

Justice means treating all patients fairly according to their needs; that is, with dignity and respect. The other principles listed in the options do not fit the scenario. Autonomy is having control over personal decisions. Confidentiality means avoiding sharing patient information with anyone not directly involved in care without the patient's permission. Beneficence means to "do good" with your nursing actions.

Question 11

When a student nurse prepares diligently for a clinical assignment, the ethical principle being observed is

Accepted Answer

Being prepared to provide skillful nursing care, anticipating problems that may occur, and thinking through alternative solutions qualifies as observing the principle of doing no harm. Autonomy and justice are not principles that apply. Fear of punishment is not an ethical principle.

Question 12

Which nursing actions are examples of use of the ethical principle of beneficence? (Select all that apply.)

Accepted Answer

Beneficence means to do good. It also involves preventing harm, removing harm, and putting the patient's interests first.

Question 13

The nurse states, "I like being part of the health care team caring for the traditional two-parent family during the postpartum period as they bond with their newborn." This statement reveals the nurse's

Accepted Answer

Values involve the worth assigned to an idea or action. In this statement the nurse reveals that she values the traditional two-parent family. The statement does not clearly address any of the other options. Duty refers to the nurse's responsibility to provide care in an acceptable way. Fidelity challenges the nurse to be faithful to the charge of acting in the patient's best interest when the capacity to make free choice is no longer available to the patient. Ethics is a system of standards or moral principles that direct actions as being right or wrong.

Question 14

A student nurse is assigned to care for a patient with complex nursing care needs. The student was busy and did not prepare in advance for the assignment. In preconference, the student is unable to describe the care to be given and admits not knowing how to execute one of the treatments. The instructor would be ethically justified in

Accepted Answer

Nonmaleficence is the operative ethical principle. The student is ethically obligated to provide safe care to assigned patients. The instructor is also obligated to do no harm. Sending the student home and turning the patient's care over to staff is a safe alternative to allowing the student to care for the patient. Suspending or dismissing the student from the program does not permit the student to have due process.

Question 15

The introduction of the nursing process and critical thinking into nursing practice has resulted in increased ethical and legal responsibilities for nurses in the areas of (Select all that apply.):

Accepted Answer

Peer monitoring and reporting are essential to patient safety and professional integrity. Accountability means being held accountable for all nursing actions performed. Because the scope of practice has expanded, nursing accountability is greater. Patient advocacy requires the nurse to provide more information to patients. Personal ethics and cost containment are not included as areas of increased ethical and legal responsibility.

Question 16

To provide justice to patients on the unit, the nurse must

Accepted Answer

Being fair does not mean giving every patient the same thing. It means treating them the same; that is, with dignity and respect. Basing care on a patient's culture, religion, and social status and determining who is most deserving of extra care would result in care that is provided based on subjective criteria.

Question 17

When a treatment team decides to go to court to obtain permission to provide chemotherapy for a child whose parents refuse to give consent for the treatment based on religious grounds, the ethical principles that are in conflict are

Accepted Answer

The parents' autonomy to make decisions for their child is in conflict with the beneficence (doing good) of the health care team. The other principles are not relevant to the scenario.

Question 18

Encouraging a patient to be involved in planning and carrying out his or her own care is a nursing action that supports the ethical principle of

Accepted Answer

Autonomy means being free to choose. Possible patient choices include identifying goals and care measures compatible with one's culture, religion, and personal values. Confidentiality means avoiding sharing patient information with anyone not directly involved in care without the patient's permission. Privacy is the patient's right to choose care based on personal beliefs, feelings, or attitudes. Justice means the nurse must deliver fair and equal treatment to all patients, recognizing and avoiding personal bias.

Question 19

The patient asks the nurse, "I overheard the instructor talking to a student about accountability. What does the word 'accountability' really mean?" The best response by the nurse would be

Accepted Answer

Accountability means that one is personally answerable for specific actions. The other options do not accurately explain accountability.

Question 20

A student nurse asks, "What's the difference between laws and ethics?" Which response best explains the difference between nursing laws and ethics?

Accepted Answer

Ethics refers to behaviors nurses "ought" to observe. Laws refer to statutes that must be observed.

Quiz 6: Ethics Applied to Nursing: Personal Versus Professional Ethics

The nurse is asked to explain the meaning of ethics to a patient. The nurse should correctly state, "Ethics is a system of standards that refer to ideas and actions in terms of being (Select all that apply.) :