Question 1

The nurse is caring for two clients,one who is rich and famous and one who is a homeless person.The nurse has difficulty providing the same quality of care to each of these clients.This is an example of a breach in:

Accepted Answer

Justice is the principle of fairness requiring that all people be treated equally and that scarce resources be distributed on the basis of individual need.For example,the quality of care a nurse provides to a client who is rich and famous should be the same as the care provided to a homeless person.Unequal treatment can be justified according to the material principle of justice,such as the designation of Veterans Affairs health care facilities for only those who serve or served in the military.

Question 2

The nurse administers care to all clients in exactly the same manner,without regard to race,gender,age,or expected outcome.This is an example of which ethical theory?

Accepted Answer

According to the theory of deontology,the intrinsic significance of an act itself is the criterion for determination of good;the motives of the person performing the act are as important as the consequences of that act.The basic concept of this theory is the categorical imperative,which states that a person should act only if the action is based on a universal principle (everyone would act the same way in a similar situation)and that a person should never be treated as the means to an end.

Question 3

Which term describes omission of treatments and procedures such as orogastric feedings or ventilatory support to clients who are dying?

Accepted Answer

Passive euthanasia is working with the client's dying process.An example is not putting in a feeding tube to provide nourishment when the client can no longer eat.

Question 4

A nurse who bases actions on behavior that creates the greatest good for the greatest number is following which ethical theory?

Accepted Answer

The theory of teleology asserts that the value of a situation is determined by its consequences;this means that the outcome of an action,not the action itself,is the criterion for determining the goodness of that action.The principle of utility,a basic concept of teleology,is that an act must result in the greatest good for the greatest number of people.

Question 5

A client who is dying has not spoken to the doctor about her status but suspects that death is imminent.The client asks you about her status and while you feel awkward,you answer honestly without omissions of uncomfortable information.This situation represents which ethical principle?

Accepted Answer

Veracity is the principle of truthfulness in dealing with others.For example,if a client asks a nurse about data such as vital signs,it is the nurse's responsibility to provide these data to the client.In some instances,if a health care provider believes that providing truthful information may be harmful to a client,the principle of nonmaleficence would justify withholding the information.

Question 6

A friend who staunchly supports "right to life" recently scheduled a therapeutic abortion because of a personal health risk.While the friend's personal decision is in direct conflict with the values she so strongly advocates,which of the following ethical theories do you recognize was used in her decision making?

Accepted Answer

Situational theory holds that there is no set norms,rules,or majority-focused results.Each situation must be considered individually,with an emphasis on the uniqueness of the situation and a respect for the person involved.

Question 7

A client diagnosed with terminal cancer is constantly in pain and has an order for morphine IV.While you are giving this medication,the client asks you to "accidentally" administer a much larger dose than prescribed so death would ensue.Compliance with the client's request would be considered:

Accepted Answer

Assisted suicide is a form of active euthanasia where another person provides the client with the means to end the client's own life.This is an illegal process and is considered to violate the ethical principles on which the practice of nursing is based.

Question 8

Upon reviewing a health care provider's orders for an assigned client,you notice that tetracycline,Maalox,and an iron supplement have been prescribed.You understand tetracycline absorption is decreased when administered with antacids or ferrous sulfate,and that the antibiotic should be taken on an empty stomach.You then schedule these medications to be given several hours apart and the tetracycline 2 to 3 hours before meals.This nursing intervention represents an example of which ethical principle?

Accepted Answer

Nonmaleficence is the principle of duty to avoid causing harm to others;it refers to both intentional harm and the risk of harm,which may be physiologic,social,financial,or spiritual in nature.Nonmaleficence requires that a nurse weigh potential risks and benefits of treatment or research,following professional and legal standards of care.

Question 9

A method of identifying a person's priorities in life,including values about God,family,truth,love,sex,and pleasure is known as:

Accepted Answer

Because of the diversity of nurse and client backgrounds in any health care setting,it is very likely that there will be a conflict between a nurse's values and the client's values.Thus it is essential for nurses to have a clear understanding of their own value systems and those of clients before conflicts in values arise,and to use this understanding to resolve such conflicts.The process of values clarification can be used to analyze personal values and to use this information when caring for clients who have different values.

Question 10

Which term BEST describes an individual's collection of inner beliefs,which guide actions and help determine life choices?

Accepted Answer

Values are personal collections of beliefs and attitudes,both positive and negative,that guide the individual's choices and actions;they reflect personal taste and are often not identified until a particular situation arises.Personal values can be in conflict,and a person may choose one value or set of values over another.

Question 11

The nurse encourages a client who had abdominal surgery earlier in the day to breathe deeply and cough to keep the lungs clear,while recognizing the procedure is painful to the client at this point in the postoperative recovery process.This is an example of:

Accepted Answer

Beneficence is the principle of promoting good and preventing harm to others;it is often viewed as the core of nursing practice.For example,a nurse encourages a client who had abdominal surgery earlier in the day to breathe deeply and cough to keep the lungs clear,while recognizing the procedure is painful to the client at this point in the postoperative recovery process.

Question 12

Which ethical principle considers action from the point of view of society's least fortunate people and results in equal and similar treatment of all people?

Accepted Answer

Justice is the principle of fairness requiring that all people be treated equally and that scarce resources be distributed on the basis of individual need.

Question 13

A client who is terminally ill has been told of his prognosis by his physician,but doesn't want his adult children to know he has only a few months to live.When the children approach you and request information about their father's prognosis,which actions would BEST represent the nurse in the role of client advocate?

Accepted Answer

Autonomy refers to a person's right to choose and to act on that choice;it means that each person's right to make decisions is to be respected.In client care situations,a nurse must respect a client's right to decide a course of action;if a client is unable to make a decision because of legal incompetence,the nurse is responsible to protect that client,thus becoming the client's advocate.

Question 14

A client undergoing renal dialysis is on a transplant list awaiting a suitable donor.Since donors are scarce and transplant candidates are selected according to greatest need and greatest possibility of successful transplant,you realize the client may undergo dialysis for many months or even years.Which ethical principle does this situation represent?

Accepted Answer

Justice is the principle of fairness requiring that all people be treated equally and that scarce resources be distributed on the basis of individual need.Unequal treatment can be justified according to the material principle of justice,such as Veterans Affairs health care facilities designated for only those who serve or served in the military.

Question 15

The administrators and staff of a health care facility determine that it will become "smoke free" in 2 weeks;if smokers among the staff wish to smoke,they must go to a designated area.This is an example of:

Accepted Answer

The principle of utility,is a basic concept of teleology,is that an act must result in the greatest good for the greatest number of people.Alternative actions should be analyzed for their potential consequences,both positive and negative.In this theory,the action selected provides the most benefit and the least harm to those involved.

Question 16

Which term refers to a situation in which there is not an obvious right or wrong choice?

Accepted Answer

An ethical dilemma is when an ethically correct decision is not clear or when there is conflict between rights and duties.Nurses need to use the process of ethical reasoning,systematically evaluating what should be done based on principles.

Question 17

A client is angry and crying as the nurse assists her out of bed to a chair 4 hours after a cesarean section,saying that she is in great pain and is more comfortable in bed.The nurse recognizes the long-term value of this therapy and encourages the client to sit up for 30 minutes.This nursing intervention represents an example of which of these ethical principles?

Accepted Answer

Beneficence is the principle of promoting good and preventing harm to others;it is often viewed as the core of nursing practice.For example,a nurse encourages a client who had abdominal surgery earlier in the day to breathe deeply and cough to keep the lungs clear,while recognizing the procedure is painful to the client at this point in the postoperative recovery process.

Question 18

On which of these ethical principles is whistle-blowing based?

Accepted Answer

Veracity is the principle of truthfulness in dealing with others.For example,if a client asks a nurse about data such as vital signs,it is the nurse's responsibility to provide these data to the client.In some instances,if a health care provider believes that providing truthful information may be harmful to a client,the principle of nonmaleficence would justify withholding the information.Nonmaleficence is the principle of duty to avoid causing harm to others;it refers to both intentional harm and the risk of harm,which may be physiologic,social,financial,or spiritual in nature.Nonmaleficence requires that a nurse weigh potential risks and benefits of treatment or research,following professional and legal standards of care.

Question 19

The nurse is caring for a client with a diagnosis of terminal cancer.The client's respirations are dangerously decreased following administration of pain medication.The nurse is aware that if interventions are not taken immediately,the client's respirations will most likely result in the client's death.The nurse's actions represent:

Accepted Answer

Euthanasia refers to the intentional act or lack of action that causes a merciful death of someone suffering from either a terminal illness or incurable condition.

Question 20

A client asks the nurse about her vital signs,and the nurse refuses to provide the client with this information.This is an example of a breach in:

Accepted Answer

Veracity is the principle of truthfulness in dealing with others.For example,if a client asks a nurse about data such as vital signs,it is the nurse's responsibility to provide these data to the client.In some instances,if a health care provider believes that providing truthful information may be harmful to a client,the principle of nonmaleficence would justify withholding the information.

Quiz 4: Legal and Ethical Responsibilities

The nurse is caring for two clients,one who is rich and famous and one who is a homeless person.The nurse has difficulty providing the same quality of care to each of these clients.This is an example of a breach in:

The nurse administers care to all clients in exactly the same manner,without regard to race,gender,age,or expected outcome.This is an example of which ethical theory?

Which term describes omission of treatments and procedures such as orogastric feedings or ventilatory support to clients who are dying?

A nurse who bases actions on behavior that creates the greatest good for the greatest number is following which ethical theory?

A client who is dying has not spoken to the doctor about her status but suspects that death is imminent.The client asks you about her status and while you feel awkward,you answer honestly without omissions of uncomfortable information.This situation represents which ethical principle?

A client diagnosed with terminal cancer is constantly in pain and has an order for morphine IV.While you are giving this medication,the client asks you to "accidentally" administer a much larger dose than prescribed so death would ensue.Compliance with the client's request would be considered:

A method of identifying a person's priorities in life,including values about God,family,truth,love,sex,and pleasure is known as:

Which term BEST describes an individual's collection of inner beliefs,which guide actions and help determine life choices?

The nurse encourages a client who had abdominal surgery earlier in the day to breathe deeply and cough to keep the lungs clear,while recognizing the procedure is painful to the client at this point in the postoperative recovery process.This is an example of:

Which ethical principle considers action from the point of view of society's least fortunate people and results in equal and similar treatment of all people?

The administrators and staff of a health care facility determine that it will become "smoke free" in 2 weeks;if smokers among the staff wish to smoke,they must go to a designated area.This is an example of:

Which term refers to a situation in which there is not an obvious right or wrong choice?

On which of these ethical principles is whistle-blowing based?

A client asks the nurse about her vital signs,and the nurse refuses to provide the client with this information.This is an example of a breach in: