Deck 22: Ethics and Values

Question 1

Regarding the nurse's use of the specific ethical principle of autonomy in a client situation,an example would be:
1) Learning to do a procedure safely and effectively
2) Returning to speak to a client at an agreed upon time
3) Preparing the client's room for comfort and privacy
4) Supporting a client's right to refuse a specific type of therapy

Answer 1

4
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?
1) Delivery of competent care
2) Formation of interpersonal relationships
3) Correct application of the nursing process
4) Evaluation of new computerized technologies

Answer 2

1
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:
1) Examine values,evaluate,and identify the problem
2) Evaluate the outcomes,gather data,and consider actions
3) Gather facts,verbalize the problem,and consider actions
4) Recognize the dilemma,evaluate,and gather information

Answer 3

3
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?
1) "I just feel like I should not suction this client."
2) "I need to know the legalities of the living will of this client."
3) "I cannot figure out what's right in this situation.I need to collect more data."
4) "My spiritual beliefs mandate that I continue to provide all the interventions in my scope of practice."

Question 5

Which of the following statements best reflects the nurse's ethical concern for nonmaleficence regarding the client's treatment plan?
1) "The radiation therapy has not substantially decreased the client's tumor related pain."
2) "The client expressed the idea that this treatment was definitively going to cure her cancer:
3) "The client's family requested that she not be informed of the seriousness of her cardiac condition."
4) "The procedure is quite invasive,and there is little chance that it will improve the client's quality of life."

Question 6

Which of the following statements best illustrates the deontological ethical theory?
1) "I believe this disease was allowed by a supreme being."
2) "He has become a stronger individual through experiencing the loss of his father."
3) "Under no circumstances would it ever be right for a person to stop CPR efforts."
4) "The chemotherapy did not cure this person,but it provided a better life for him."

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?
1) Prizing her choice
2) Choosing from alternatives
3) Considering all consequences
4) Acting with a pattern of consistency

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:
1) Triage
2) Beneficence
3) Nonmaleficence
4) Respect for persons

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:
1) Receive all technical assistance to prolong his life
2) Have his wife make the decisions regarding his care
3) Be allowed to die without life-prolonging techniques
4) Have a lethal injection administered to relieve his suffering

Question 10

The nurse is aware that an ethics committee in a health care facility serves to:
1) Interview all persons involved in a case
2) Illustrate circumstances that demonstrate malpractice
3) Serve as a resource for specific situations that may occur
4) Examine similar previous instances for comparison of outcome decisions

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?
1) "Firearms may have a place in our society."
2) "Individuals should arm themselves for protection."
3) "Prosecution should be the maximum for that felon."
4) "Protection is a necessary evil for the good guy of the world."

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?
1) "Your questions were pretty blunt."
2) "Tell me what you're thinking right now."
3) "I've felt that way before.I'd be upset,too."
4) "You seem concerned about your tests.Let me explain them."

Question 13

The client states that she needs to exercise regularly,watch her weight,and reduce her fat intake.This demonstrates that the client:
1) Values health promotion activities
2) Believes she will not become sick
3) Believes she will have a heart attack
4) Has unrealistic expectations for herself

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:
1) Justice
2) Autonomy
3) Beneficence
4) Nonmaleficence

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:
1) Confidentiality
2) Fidelity
3) Veracity
4) Justice

Question 16

Which of the following statements related to confidentiality made by a nurse requires immediate follow-up by the nurse manager?
1) "I believe the client is eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid."
2) "The client with pneumonia has tested positive for TB (tuberculosis)."
3) "Did you know that the client in Room 45 has a daughter who has type 1 diabetes mellitus?"
4) "I arranged for the client's information to be faxed to the assistive living facility she will be transferred to."

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:
1) Confident
2) Trustworthy
3) Compliant
4) Accountable

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:
1) Veracity
2) Fidelity
3) Justice
4) Nonmaleficence

Question 19

The nurse recognizes that values clarification interventions are beneficial for the client when:
1) The client and nurse have different beliefs
2) The client is experiencing a values conflict
3) The nurse is unsure of a client's personal values
4) The client has chosen to reject the normal values

Question 20

Which of the following statements reflects application of the specific ethical principle of confidentiality?
1) "I'm concerned that funding may affect the outpatient program."
2) "I'm going to make sure that the client understands the instructions."
3) "I cannot share that information with you about the client's condition."
4) "I need to get more information about the client's personal health history."

Question 21

The nursing professional code of ethics is best defined as:
1) The criteria for judging nursing professionalism
2) A benchmark for professional nursing deeds and actions
3) The nursing profession's expectations of its members' behavior
4) A document that holds nurses responsible for professional behavior

Question 22

The nurse is explaining the rationale for seeking the family's permission to apply a physical restraint to a combative client.This is an example of the nurse exhibiting the professional principle of:
1) Advocacy
2) Responsibility
3) Accountability
4) Confidentiality

Question 23

The nurse realizes that sharing one's computer password is a violation of which of the professional nursing principles?
1) Advocacy
2) Responsibility
3) Accountability
4) Confidentiality

Question 24

The nurse holds a client's hand during a painful procedure.This action shows a positive act towards the client that is referred to as:
1) Veracity
2) Fidelity
3) Beneficence
4) Nonmaleficence

Question 25

Which of the following nursing actions best reflects a nurse's commitment to the ethical principle of fostering autonomy regarding an older client living in an extended care facility?
1) Providing options regarding the furniture arrangement of the client's room
2) Supporting a client's decision to adopt a DNR (do not resuscitate)status
3) Allowing sufficient time for the client to independently accomplish morning hygiene
4) Consulting the client regarding personal preferences regarding treatment options

Question 26

The belief that all life is sacred and must be preserved regardless of the quality of that life is an example of:
1) Cultural bias
2) Personal value
3) Universal truth
4) Individual preference

Question 27

The nurse is showing respect for a client's right to autonomy regarding an invasive procedure by:
1) Obtaining consent for the procedure
2) Performing the procedure appropriately
3) Providing client education regarding the procedure
4) Being frank when discussing the pros and cons of the procedure

Question 28

Abandoning a client would be an example of a nurse's failure to professionally display:
1) Justice
2) Fidelity
3) Beneficence
4) Nonmaleficence

Question 29

An older client is experiencing the greatest problem with the concept of autonomy when he has difficulty:
1) Expressing his need for pain medication
2) Disagreeing with his health care provider
3) Participating in discussions regarding his treatment
4) Discussing his need for assistive living arrangements

Question 30

Which of the following statements made by a terminally ill client reflects the best understanding of the purpose of a living will?
1) "It will make sure my wishes are respected."
2) "My family won't be burdened with making those hard decisions."
3) "I don't want strangers making those kinds of decisions for me."
4) "I can make my wishes known while I still have the ability to express them."

Question 31

When a client who is in need of a lung transplant is placed on the organ donor registry according to his current health needs,this is an example of ethical:
1) Justice
2) Fidelity
3) Beneficence
4) Nonmaleficence

Question 32

The nurse has successfully completed a distance learning class on ECG (electrocardiogram)interpretation.This is an example of the nurse exhibiting the professional principle of:
1) Advocacy
2) Responsibility
3) Accountability
4) Confidentiality

Question 33

The nurse realizes that an individual client's value system is most affected by:
1) Life experiences
2) Economic status
3) Spiritual beliefs
4) Formal education

Question 34

When a nurse considers the possible positive effect a treatment will have against the pain it may cause the client,the nurse is displaying:
1) Justice
2) Fidelity
3) Beneficence
4) Nonmaleficence