Question 1

Regarding the nurse's use of the specific ethical principle of autonomy in a client situation,an example would be:

Accepted Answer

Following the ethical principle of autonomy,the nurse allows a client to make his or her own decisions regarding care and then supports that decision.Learning how to perform a procedure safely and effectively is a nurse's use of ethical responsibility.Returning to speak to a client at an agreed upon time demonstrates the ethical principle of fidelity.Preparing the client's room for comfort and privacy is a nurse's use of ethical responsibility.

Question 2

A nurse's use of ethical responsibility can best be seen in which of the following nursing actions?

Accepted Answer

The term responsibility refers to the characteristics of reliability and dependability.In professional nursing,responsibility includes a duty to perform actions well and thoughtfully.When the nurse provides competent care,the nurse is demonstrating ethical responsibility.Formation of interpersonal relationships is not an ethical responsibility.Application of the nursing process is not an ethical responsibility.Evaluation of new computerized technologies is not an ethical responsibility.

Question 3

The correct sequence for attaining the resolution of an ethical problem is:

Accepted Answer

The correct sequence for resolving ethical problems is recognizing the dilemma,gathering facts,examining one's own values,verbalizing the problem,considering actions,negotiating the outcome,and evaluating the action.

Question 4

A nurse is ambivalent as to the need to vigorously suction the secretions of a terminal client in a comatose state.Which of the following is an appropriate statement by the nurse in regard to processing an ethical dilemma?

Accepted Answer

The first step in processing an ethical dilemma is determining whether the problem is an ethical one.The nurse who cannot figure out what is right,is stating a characteristic of an ethical dilemma,which is that the problem is perplexing.The next step is to gather as much information as possible that is relevant to the case."I just feel like I should not suction this client" is the nurse is stating the problem according to her feelings."I need to know the legalities of the living will of this client" is the nurse who wants to know the legalities of the living will of a client is collecting some,but not all,data pertaining to the problem."My spiritual beliefs mandate that I continue to provide all the interventions in my scope of practice" is the nurse stating her own beliefs.

Question 5

Which of the following statements best reflects the nurse's ethical concern for nonmaleficence regarding the client's treatment plan?

Accepted Answer

Nonmaleficence is the avoidance of harm or hurt.Whether the discomforts of treatment are benefiting the client or are worse than the disease itself have to be considered.The health care professional tries to balance the risks and benefits of a plan of care while striving to do the least harm possible.The remaining options are related to veracity (truthfulness),fidelity (keeping a promise),and possibly fairness.

Question 6

Which of the following statements best illustrates the deontological ethical theory?

Accepted Answer

"Under no circumstances would it ever be right for a person to stop CPR efforts" is correct.Deontology defines actions as right or wrong based on their right-making characteristics,such as fidelity to promises,truthfulness,and justice.Deontology does not look at consequences of actions to determine rightness or wrongness.Fidelity to promises and beneficence may be principles upon which this statement is based on determining wrongness."I believe this disease was allowed by a supreme being" does not reflect the deontological ethical theory.Because it reflects a relationship between disease and a supreme being,it follows the feminist ethical theory."He has become a stronger individual through experiencing the loss of his father" does not best illustrate the deontological ethical theory because it is citing a consequence.It follows the utilitarian ethical theory."The chemotherapy did not cure this person,but it provided a better life for him" does not best illustrate the deontological ethical theory because it is citing a consequence.It follows the utilitarian ethical theory.

Question 7

A secondary school teacher with advanced multiple sclerosis insists on teaching from a wheelchair and being treated the same as other colleagues.The teacher is demonstrating which of the following?

Accepted Answer

The teacher is demonstrating prizing her choice.She cherishes her choice of being treated like everyone else despite her medical condition and publicly affirms the choice by teaching from a wheelchair and insisting she be treated the same as her colleagues.At this point,the teacher is not choosing from alternatives.She could have chosen to quit teaching,but she did not.She has already made her choice.The teacher is not demonstrating considering all consequences.She has already made her choice.At this point,the teacher is not demonstrating acting with a pattern of consistency.She is not repeating a behavior.

Question 8

At an accident scene a nurse stopped and began to provide emergency care for the victims.Her actions are best labeled ethically as:

Accepted Answer

Beneficence refers to taking positive actions to help others,as in providing emergency care at an accident scene.Triage is the screening and classification of casualties to make optimal use of treatment resources and to maximize the survival and welfare of clients.Nonmaleficence is the avoidance of harm or hurt.Respect for persons has to do with treating people equally despite their social standing,for example.

Question 9

On admission to the hospital,a terminal cancer patient says he has a living will.This document functions to state the client's desire to:

Accepted Answer

A living will is an advance directive,prepared when the individual is competent and able to make decisions,regarding that person's specific instructions about end-of-life care.Living wills allow people to specify whether they would want to be intubated,treated with pressor drugs,shocked with electricity,and fed or hydrated intravenously.A living will specifies what interventions the client does not want,so that his or her life will not be prolonged.If his wife has power of attorney she would be able to make decisions regarding the client's care.Assisted suicide,such as a lethal injection,is not a function of a living will.A living will defines a client's wishes for withholding treatment that would prolong his or her life.

Question 10

The nurse is aware that an ethics committee in a health care facility serves to:

Accepted Answer

Ethics committees serve as a resource to support the processing of ethical dilemmas.Ethics committees serve several purposes: education,policy recommendation,and case consultation or review.Although an ethics committee may gather further information,ethics committees do not interview all persons involved in a case.Rather,they offer consultation or case review.Illustrating circumstances that demonstrate malpractice is not a purpose of an ethics committee.Examining similar previous instances for comparison of outcome decisions may be part of data gathering to help process an ethical dilemma or for policy recommendation,but it is not the purpose of an ethics committee.

Question 11

A client has actively picketed for gun control.During a robbery of his business,he was shot in the leg.As the nurse assists him with morning care,which statement would the nurse expect him to make that coincides with his values?

Accepted Answer

Individual experience influences what we come to value.The client who experienced a gunshot during a robbery of his business may value gun control and verbalize a desire to have his attacker prosecuted for the violent crime.The client who has picketed for gun control and who was gunshot is unlikely to value firearms in our society.The individual who has actively picketed for gun control is unlikely to desire the use of guns.The individual would be more likely to believe that if there were gun control,there would be no need for guns.The individual who has actively picketed for gun control is unlikely to desire the use of guns.The individual would be more likely to believe that if there were gun control,there would be no need for guns.

Question 12

The nurse is working with the client and trying to clarify the client's values regarding his care.Which of the following statements reflects an example of the type of response a nurse should use in a values clarification situation?

Accepted Answer

"Tell me what you're thinking right now" is correct.Values clarification is a process of self-discovery in which the nurse should assist the client.The goal of values clarification with a client is effective nurse-client communication.As the client becomes more willing to express problems and feelings,the nurse can better establish an individualized plan of care.The character of a nurse's response to a client can motivate the client to examine personal thoughts and actions.When the nurse makes a clarifying response,it should be brief and nonjudgmental."Your questions were pretty blunt" is incorrect.Values clarification is a process of self-discovery in which the nurse should assist the client.The character of a nurse's response to a client can motivate the client to examine personal thoughts and actions.When the nurse makes a clarifying response,it should be brief and nonjudgmental.The client is being judgmental in this response."I've felt that way before.I'd be upset,too" is incorrect as well.The nurse should not influence the client with his or her own values,even if they are similar."You seem concerned about your tests.Let me explain them" is also incorrect.This statement is therapeutic in that it is reflective of a client's feeling,and offers information.However,it does not encourage the client to examine their values.

Question 13

The client states that she needs to exercise regularly,watch her weight,and reduce her fat intake.This demonstrates that the client:

Accepted Answer

A value is a personal belief about the worth of a given idea,attitude,custom,or object that sets standards that influence behavior.The client is expressing her value of health promotion activities.A belief is a conviction of the truth or reality of a thing.The client does not state she believes these health promotion activities will keep her from becoming sick.A belief is a conviction of the truth of a thing.The client's statement does not indicate she believes she will have a heart attack.These are not unrealistic expectations.

Question 14

In the emergency department a client feels that she has been waiting longer than the other individuals due to the fact that she has no insurance.The ethical principle that is involved in this exact situation is:

Accepted Answer

Justice refers to treating people fairly.Allocation of resources and access to health care involves the ethical principle of justice.The client without medical insurance should not have to wait longer to receive health care than those with insurance.Autonomy refers to a person's independence.Autonomy represents an agreement to respect another's right to determine a course of action.Beneficence refers to taking positive actions to help others.Nonmaleficence refers to the avoidance of harm or hurt.

Question 15

A client who is recently diagnosed with cancer is encouraged to consider sharing the information with her family so they can support her through the decisions she will need to make regarding her care.The nurse is using the principle of:

Accepted Answer

Veracity in general means accuracy or conformity to truth.The nurse is encouraging the client to be truthful with the client's family.Confidentiality means to not impart private matters.Fidelity refers to the agreement to keep promises.Justice refers to fairness.

Question 16

Which of the following statements related to confidentiality made by a nurse requires immediate follow-up by the nurse manager?

Accepted Answer

This information is private and the nurse is violating the client's right to confidentiality because the information has no bearing on the care needs of the client.The remaining options are not reflective of an ethical breech because the exchange of that information has a direct bearing on the client's care.

Question 17

A nursing student that immediately informs her clinical instructor after she realizes that she has administered the wrong dose of medication to a patient is best described professionally as:

Accepted Answer

Accountability refers to the ability to answer for one's own actions.The goal is the prevention of injury to the client.The student nurse who informs her instructor of an error is being accountable for her actions and has a goal to prevent injury to the client.The student nurse would not be described professionally as confident (i.e. ,sure of oneself).The student is not best described as trustworthy.To be trustworthy,one is worthy of trust or confidence and reliable.In this case,the student was not reliable to administer medication correctly.This student nurse is not best described professionally as compliant.The student is not acting in accordance with wishes,commands,or requirements.

Question 18

The client has been diagnosed with malignant bone cancer and the treatment involves chemotherapy on an outpatient basis.While treating the cancer the client unfortunately becomes very ill,experiences significant side effects from the therapy,and has a severe reduction in the quality of life.The specific ethical principle that is in question in this situation is:

Accepted Answer

Nonmaleficence is the avoidance of harm or hurt.Whether the discomforts of treatment are benefiting the client or are worse than the disease itself have to be considered.The health care professional tries to balance the risks and benefits of a plan of care while striving to do the least harm possible.Veracity refers to truthfulness.This situation is not questioning truthfulness.Fidelity refers to the agreement to keep promises.This situation does not question fidelity.Justice refers to fairness.This situation is not a matter of justice.

Question 19

The nurse recognizes that values clarification interventions are beneficial for the client when:

Accepted Answer

Values clarification can help clients gain an awareness of personal priorities,identify ambiguities in values,and resolve major conflicts between values and behavior.Values clarification for nurses can help nurses strengthen their ability to advocate for a client because nurses are better able to identify personal values and accurately identify the values of the client.Values clarification is not necessarily beneficial for the client when the client and nurse have different beliefs.Values clarification for the client will not necessarily help the nurse who is unsure of the client's values.Values clarification interventions for the client will help the client,not the nurse,gain awareness.The values that an individual holds reflect cultural and social influences,relationships,and personal needs.Values vary among people and develop and change over time.Therefore it may be inappropriate to state a client has rejected "normal" values when value systems vary among people.What is considered normal to one person may not be to another.

Question 20

Which of the following statements reflects application of the specific ethical principle of confidentiality?

Accepted Answer

"I cannot share that information with you about the client's condition" reflects the application of the ethical principle of confidentiality.Information is not to be shared with others without specific client consent."I'm concerned that funding may affect the outpatient program" reflects a concern regarding allocation of resources.It is not a confidentiality issue.The nurse who makes sure a client has gained understanding is being ethically responsible."I need to get more information about the client's personal health history" reflects data gathering.Information gathered is to be used for the purpose of providing competent health care.It should not be shared with others without specific consent of the client.

Quiz 22: Ethics and Values