Deck 44: Ethics Values

Question 1

The nurse manager's goals include allowing staff members to schedule vacation while still ensuring that an adequate number of staff members are present to deliver safe patient care. To determine the minimum number of staff members who must be scheduled to work during holidays, the nurse manager performs a risk-benefit analysis. Which ethical framework best describes the nurse manager's problem-solving approach?
1)Utilitarianism
2)Deontology
3)Categorical imperative
4)Feminist ethics

Answer 1

1

Question 2

The nurse preceptor observes a novice nurse preparing to insert an intravenous (IV) access device into a patient's antecubital vein. Prior to inserting the IV, the novice nurse tells the patient, "You won't feel a thing." The nurse preceptor recognizes the novice nurse's violation of which ethical principle?
1)Beneficence
2)Nonmaleficence
3)Veracity
4)Confidentiality

Answer 2

3

Question 3

The nurse is assigned to provide care to an unconscious, mechanically ventilated patient who is receiving palliative treatment. The patient is receiving an intravenous morphine infusion. The primary care provider's orders include discontinuing the patient's mechanical ventilation and increasing the morphine infusion rate, as needed, to maintain the patient's comfort. The nurse refuses to implement the orders based on a belief that implementing the orders would be equivalent to killing the patient. The nurse's decision illustrates which concept?
1)Ethical agency
2)Morals
3)Bioethics
4)Clinical decision making

Answer 3

1

Question 4

The nurse admits a patient to the hospital medical-surgical unit of the hospital. During the admission process, the nurse asks whether or not the patient has an advance directive. The basis for the nurse's inquiry is:
1)The International Council of Nurses (ICN) Code of Ethics for Nurses
2)Values clarification
3)Patient advocacy
4)The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)

Question 5

The nurse provides care to a patient who is admitted to the hospital for management of severe migraines. After administering a prescribed pain medication, the nurse states, "I will return in 20 minutes to reassess your pain." By following through on the commitment to return at the specified time, which ethical principle does the nurse display?
1)Nonmaleficence
2)Autonomy
3)Beneficence
4)Fidelity

Question 6

The emergency department nurse is providing discharge teaching to a patient. The patient asks the nurse, "I appreciate everything you've done for me and I really like you. Can I take you out for dinner?" Which response does the nurse choose?
1)"Yes, that would be nice. It is really great to be appreciated."
2)"No, and please do not ask again. Your request is inappropriate."
3)"I appreciate your kindness, but I will have to decline your offer."
4)"We cannot socialize until 3 days following your hospital discharge."

Question 7

The primary care provider orders limited treatments for patients who are diagnosed with a terminal illness and distributes the majority of resources to patients who have a high likelihood of survival. The primary care provider's intention is to serve the greater good. Which ethical principle best describes the primary care provider's approach to allocation of resources?
1)Ethics of care
2)Utilitarianism
3)Deontology
4)Categorical imperative

Question 8

Which issue represents an internal constraint that may prevent the implementation of ethical decisions?
1)Nurse administrators are viewed by staff nurses as being primarily a source of punishment.
2)Nurses view other staff nurses as being unsupportive on ethical issues.
3)Nursing students are socialized to follow orders and not to question them.
4)Nurses fear retaliation from primary care providers who disagree with nursing decisions.

Question 9

Which action is included in Step 3 of the MORAL decision-making model?
1)Realizing information gaps
2)Resolving the dilemma
3)Requesting a review of opposing viewpoints
4)Recognizing the values and options of all major players

Question 10

A 60-year-old patient who is diagnosed with a treatable form of breast cancer chooses not to pursue radiation or chemotherapy. The nurse persuades the patient to receive treatment by continuing to remind the patient about her responsibilities toward her children and grandchildren. The nurse's behavior best illustrates which principle?
1)Nonmaleficence
2)Autonomy
3)Paternalism
4)Beneficence

Question 11

The nurse provides care to an alert, oriented patient who is prescribed a blood transfusion for treatment of severe anemia. The patient refuses the treatment. The primary care provider explains to the patient that the blood transfusion is necessary for survival; however, the patient continues to refuse the transfusion. Which action does the nurse anticipate implementing?
1)Document the patient's confusion and administer the blood.
2)Request a psychological evaluation to ensure that the patient understands the risks.
3)Ask family members to persuade the patient to consent to receiving blood.
4)Follow the patient's wishes and do not administer the blood.

Question 12

The nurse states, "I believe nurses who do not regularly exercise should not talk to patients about the importance of physical activity. Nurses should practice what they teach." Which term best relates to the content of the nurse's statement?
1)Morals
2)Ethics
3)Values
4)Compromise

Question 13

The nursing student is delivering a classroom presentation about professional values identified by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN). Which example does the nursing student use to illustrate the value of integrity?
1)Acting in accordance with an appropriate code of ethics and standards of practice
2)Treating others fairly regardless of disability
3)Ensuring equal access to quality healthcare
4)Respecting the inherent worth and uniqueness of individuals and populations

Question 14

The postoperative care unit (PACU) nurse provides care to a patient who underwent a total hip replacement. The nurse is aware that the patient is a practicing Jehovah's Witness. The primary care provider orders administration of blood for treatment of severe postoperative anemia. The patient is still very drowsy following general anesthesia and is unable to discuss the plan of care. The nurse understands the blood transfusion is necessary for the patient's survival. However, the nurse is also aware that the patient's religious beliefs may prohibit the patient from receiving blood products. Which term best describes the conflict the nurse is experiencing?
1)Ethical agency
2)Ethical dilemma
3)Moral outrage
4)Moral distress

Question 15

Confidentiality will be maintained by the nurse who believes in and values the ethical principle of:
1)Fidelity
2)Veracity
3)Beneficence
4)Autonomy

Question 16

An alert, oriented, competent older adult patient is diagnosed with a terminal illness. The patient requests a Do Not Attempt Resuscitation/Allow Natural Death (AND) prescription. The patient's family members oppose the patient's decision and ask the healthcare team to ignore the request. Despite lengthy discussions among the patient, physician, nurse, and family, the conflict is unresolved. The nurse asks the hospital chaplain to help the family and healthcare team members understand each other's opposing views. Which step of the MORAL model is the nurse implementing?
1)M-Massage the dilemma
2)O-Outline the options
3)R-Resolve the dilemma
4)L-Look back and evaluate

Question 17

An alert, oriented, competent 87-year-old patient requests a Do Not Attempt Resuscitation/Allow Natural Death (AND) prescription. The patient's family members oppose the patient's decision and ask the hospital's ethics committee to intervene on their behalf. Which framework is the ethics committee most likely as a guide for their decision making process?
1)Social justice
2)Patient benefit
3)Autonomy
4)Consequentialist

Question 18

The nurse is assigned to provide care to a patient who developed septicemia following an abortion. The nurse believes abortion is murder of the unborn child. Which concept most specifically requires the nurse to provide high-quality patient care regardless of personal beliefs?
1)Ethics
2)Moral beliefs
3)Bioethics
4)Nursing ethics

Question 19

The nursing student asks the nurse educator to explain the American Nurses Association (ANA) Code of Ethics for Nurses. Which statement does the nurse educator include in the explanation?
1)"The ANA Code of Ethics is not subject to public scrutiny."
2)"The ANA Code of Ethics is not legally binding."
3)"Nursing codes cannot be used to determine the legality of nursing actions."
4)"Laws related to nursing practice usually exceed ethical obligations."

Question 20

Which concept refers to conflicts that arise between two or more ethical principles in patient care scenarios?
1)Nursing ethics
2)Bioethics
3)Ethical dilemma
4)Moral distress

Question 21

The nurse provides care to a 12-year-old patient who is diagnosed with leukemia. The patient's parents refuse to allow the patient to receive chemotherapy, saying they will not ruin what is left of his life with drugs that will make him feel sicker. Which solution represents an integrity-producing compromise?
1)Supporting the parents' refusal to include chemotherapy as a patient treatment
2)Instructing the parents that the child will die without chemotherapy
3)Seeking a court order to ensure that chemotherapy is administered
4)Discussing administration of a chemotherapy agent that causes the fewest side effects

Question 22

The patient is struggling with deciding whether or not to receive experimental treatment. To support the patient's decision-making process, which action does the nurse take?
1)Offer recommended solutions.
2)Teach the patient how to apply logic to resolve the situation.
3)Advocate for the patient with the primary healthcare provider.
4)Ask the patient questions.

Question 23

Whistleblowing includes reporting which kind of information? Select all that apply.
1)Fraudulent billing practices
2)Patient's health status against the patient's wishes
3)Unsafe work practices
4)A coworker who works under the influence of drugs
5)An incompetent surgeon

Question 24

The nurse provides care for a patient who experienced a stroke leaving the left side of the body paralyzed. The patient states, "I can still bathe myself." To ensure that the patient is properly cleaned, the nurse proceeds to bathe the patient. The nurse's behavior illustrates violation of which ethical principles? Select all that apply.
1)Beneficence
2)Fidelity
3)Autonomy
4)Veracity
5)Nonmaleficence

Question 25

When faced with a true ethical dilemma, the nurse plans implementation of a variety of strategies to resolve the issue. Which outcome does the nurse anticipate?
1)A satisfying solution will be found if the nurse logically applies more than one strategy for decision making.
2)If the nurse involves other members of the healthcare team in the decision-making process, a compromise will be reached that satisfies everyone.
3)The nurse will probably not find any course of action to be satisfactory, regardless of the strategy, model, or type of reasoning used.
4)A satisfactory decision can be reached that is comfortable for the nurse if the nurse applies a decision model to the dilemma.

Question 26

The nurse's obligations in ethical situations include which actions? Select all that apply.
1)Advocating for the patient.
2)Engaging with institutional ethics committees.
3)Improving personal ethical decision making abilities.
4)Respecting patient confidentiality.
5)Functioning independently when ethical problems arise.

Question 27

The emergency department nurse provides care to a 17-year-old patient who is diagnosed with cervical cancer secondary to human papillomavirus. The patient declines treatment and states, "I don't want my parents to know I have been sexually active. If they find out about the cancer, they'll know I have been having sex." When planning a course of action, the nurse recognizes a conflict between the ethical principles of nonmaleficence and __________.
1)Autonomy
2)Veracity
3)Fidelity
4)Justice

Question 28

Through application of the MORAL model to decision making, the nurse who opposes abortion determines that caring for patients who undergo an abortion is still an ethical duty. Which outcome is the best indicator that the nurse effectively applied the MORAL model to the decision making process?
1)The patient is discharged without experiencing complications from the procedure.
2)The nurse believes quality care was delivered and feels satisfied with the decision.
3)The nurse manager commends the nurse for providing excellent patient care.
4)The patient thanks the nurse for being supportive during a difficult time.

Question 29

The nurse witnesses the patient's signature on a consent form to participate in a physician's research study. After the physician leaves the room, the patient tells the nurse, "I don't really want to participate, but I'm afraid my doctor will be upset with me if I say no." To advocate for the patient, which nursing action is most appropriate?
1)Tell the patient the physician will not be upset if she declines to participate.
2)Inform the physician about why the patient agreed to participate.
3)Explain the importance of the research study to the patient.
4)Ask the patient to tell the nurse whether or not any action should be taken.

Question 30

The nurse applies the MORAL model to decision making. After recognizing a problem, which action does the nurse take next?
1)Define the main issues associated with the dilemma.
2)Consult a member of the organization's ethics committee.
3)Outline available options for all involved parties.
4)View the situation using alternate ethical frameworks.