Deck 44: Ethics Values

Question 1

The nurse receives a prescription to begin a morphine drip for a patient who is to be taken off the ventilator,and to increase the infusion rate as needed to maintain the patient's comfort.The nurse refuses to carry out the order because the morphine will depress respirations and the nurse believes this is equivalent to killing the patient.Which concept best describes what this nurse is demonstrating?

A) Moral agency
B) Morals
C) Bioethics
D) Clinical decision making

Answer 1

Moral agency

Question 2

An alert,oriented,and competent frail older adult man has been told that he is dying and has asked to have a DNAR (AND)prescription put on his chart.The patient's family does not agree with his decision and asks the healthcare team to ignore the request.The healthcare team does not comply with the family's wishes,and after several days the family takes the matter to court.The court sides with the family and orders the healthcare team to remove the DNAR (AND)prescription.This is an example of which of the following?

A) An integrity-producing (good) compromise
B) An ethically sound compromise
C) Settlement of an issue by force
D) An effort to keep peace on the unit

Answer 2

Settlement of an issue by force

Question 3

Which is not a professional value identified by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN)?

A) Altruism
B) Equality
C) Education
D) Honesty

Answer 3

Altruism

Question 4

Confidentiality will be maintained by a nurse who believes in and values the ethical principle of:

A) Fidelity
B) Veracity
C) Beneficence
D) Autonomy

Question 5

The Code of Ethics for Nurses:

A) Is legally binding
B) Is not legally binding
C) Is legally binding in some circumstances
D) Cannot be used in legal cases

Question 6

The nurse overhears a coworker say,"How can an overweight nurse teach proper nutrition? That nurse should practice what is taught." Which concept best describes what the coworker is expressing?

A) Morals
B) Ethics
C) Values
D) Compromise

Question 7

The nurse observes a new graduate nurse preparing to place an IV catheter in the patient's arm.The new graduate tells the patient,"You won't feel a thing" before inserting the needle under the skin.What ethical principle did the new graduate violate?

A) Beneficence
B) Nonmaleficence
C) Veracity
D) Confidentiality

Question 8

A surgeon refused a patient's request to restart a patient's total parenteral nutrition (giving nutrition through the intravenous route)because he believed that a greater good would be achieved by not using medical resources to prolong the life of a terminally ill patient when the resources could be used for other patients.Which ethical theory best explains the surgeon's rationale?

A) Ethics of care
B) Utilitarianism
C) Deontology
D) Categorical imperative

Question 9

A mentally competent patient has an extremely low blood count and will likely die without a blood transfusion.The patient knows the risk,but continues to refuse the blood.Which action by the nurse is the most appropriate?

A) Assume the patient is confused and give the blood anyway.
B) Request a psychological evaluation to ensure that the patient understands the risk.
C) Ask family members to intervene and make the patient consent to receiving blood.
D) Follow the patient's wishes and do not administer a blood transfusion.

Question 10

A patient has asked the nurse to explain her laboratory results.The nurse informs the patient that he must first assist another patient to the bathroom and then he will return to explain the results.After assisting the other patient to the bathroom,the nurse returns to explain the results to the patient.What ethical principle has the nurse displayed?

A) Nonmaleficence
B) Autonomy
C) Beneficence
D) Fidelity

Question 11

A nurse is providing care to a patient who is a Jehovah's Witness.Against the patient's wishes,the physician ordered the nurse to give the patient two units of packed red blood cells.The nurse knows that the blood will save the patient's life,but also that it is against the patient's wishes; she is unsure what is the right thing for her to do.The nurse is experiencing a(n):

A) Reflection encounter
B) Ethical dilemma
C) Moral outrage
D) Moral distress

Question 12

A 60-year-old patient with a treatable form of breast cancer has decided not to pursue radiation or chemotherapy.The nurse believes that the patient should be treated.She coerces her into receiving treatment by continuing to remind the patient about her responsibilities for raising her children.What type of behavior has the nurse displayed?

A) Nonmaleficence
B) Autonomy
C) Paternalism
D) Beneficence

Question 13

On a patient's admission to the hospital,a nurse asks the patient whether he has a living will or durable power of attorney for healthcare.He states he does and provides a copy for the chart.The basis for the nurse's inquiry is which of the following?

A) Code of Ethics for Nurses
B) Patient Care Partnership
C) Patient Self-Determination Act (PSDA)
D) Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)

Question 14

The nurse believes that abortion is murder of the unborn child.While at work,the nurse is assigned a woman with septicemia following an abortion.Which concept most specifically requires the nurse to provide high-quality care for this patient?

A) Ethics
B) Morals
C) Bioethics
D) Nursing ethics

Question 15

The nurse manager performs a risk-benefit analysis to determine the minimum number of staff the unit will need over the Christmas and New Year's holiday to allow as many nurses to take time off as possible while maintaining the safety of the patients.What ethical problem-solving approach is this nurse manager using?

A) Utilitarianism
B) Deontology
C) Categorical imperative
D) Feminist ethics

Question 16

An alert,oriented,and competent frail older adult man has been told that he is dying and has asked to have a DNAR (AND)prescription put on his chart.The patient's family does not agree with his decision and asks the healthcare team to ignore the request.After a great deal of discussion among the physician,nurse,and family,they are no closer to resolution of the conflict.The nurse asks the hospital chaplain to come and help the family and the team understand each other's opposing views.Which step of the MORAL model does this illustrate?

A) M-Massage the dilemma
B) O-Outline the options
C) R-Resolve the dilemma
D) L-Look back and evaluate

Question 17

A patient who is being discharged asks the nurse,"Can I take you out for dinner to show my appreciation for all that you have done for me? I really like you." The nurse's best response is which of the following?

A) "Yes, that would be nice. It is really great to be appreciated."
B) "No, and please do not ask again. You should have been told that already."
C) "Thank you; however, I have to refuse, even though the thought is appreciated."
D) "We will have to wait 3 days after you have been discharged to have a relationship."

Question 18

The nurse is a member of the ethics committee.An alert,oriented,and competent 87-year-old man has asked to have a DNAR (AND)prescription put on his chart.The patient's family does not agree with his decision and requests the ethics committee to intervene on their behalf.The ethics committee would most likely use which model in this patient's case?

A) Social justice
B) Patient benefit
C) Autonomy
D) DNAR (AND) determination

Question 19

Identify the third step in the MORAL decision-making model.

A) Reassess the dilemma.
B) Resolve the dilemma.
C) Review the problem.
D) Recall the history of the problem.

Question 20

Which of the following concepts refers to conflicts that arise between two or more ethical principles in patient care scenarios?

A) Nursing ethics
B) Bioethics
C) Ethical dilemma
D) Moral distress

Question 21

The emergency department nurse cares for a 17-year-old adolescent who is diagnosed with cervical cancer secondary to human papillomavirus.The patient declines treatment,saying,"I don't want my parents to know I have been sexually active,and if they find out about the cancer,they'll figure out the rest of it." The nurse explains the risk of death if the cancer is not treated,but the patient continues to refuse therapy.What conflicting principles is this nurse facing as the result of this patient's choices?

A) Autonomy versus nonmaleficence
B) Autonomy versus veracity
C) Fidelity versus justice
D) Veracity versus beneficence

Question 22

The nurse arrives at work to find the unit will be short staffed for the shift because a nurse called in sick at the last minute,leaving no time to find a replacement.What factors contribute to the dilemma faced by the nurse working this shift? Select all that apply.

A) The nurse's multiple obligations and relationships
B) Value conflicts and lack of clarity within the profession
C) Autonomy versus escaping hard choices
D) Higher pay versus cost effectiveness
E) Caring versus the decreased time to spend with patients

Question 23

The patient is struggling with a decision whether or not to receive experimental treatment.What is the nurse's role when caring for this patient?

A) Provide recommendations for decision making.
B) Teach the patient how to apply logic to the situation.
C) Advocate for the patient with the primary healthcare provider.
D) Listen to the patient's thoughts, ask questions, and provide support.

Question 24

The nurse's obligations in ethical decisions include which of the following? Select all that apply.

A) Be a patient advocate.
B) Involve institutional ethics committees.
C) Improve one's own ethical decision making.
D) Respect patient confidentiality.
E) None of the above

Question 25

Which of the following is an example of whistleblowing? Select all that apply.

A) Reporting fraudulent billing practices
B) Reporting patient's health status against the patient's wishes
C) Reporting unsafe work practices
D) Reporting a coworker for working under the influence of drugs

Question 26

The nurse is caring for a patient who experienced a stroke leaving the left side of the body paralyzed.The patient says,"I can still bathe myself," but the nurse performs the bath to make certain the patient gets clean.What ethical principles is the nurse violating with this behavior? Select all that apply.

A) Beneficence
B) Fidelity
C) Autonomy
D) Veracity
E) Nonmaleficence

Question 27

The parents of a 12-year-old boy refuse chemotherapy to treat the child's leukemia,saying they will not ruin what is left of his life with drugs that will make him feel sicker.Which solution to this ethical dilemma would demonstrate compromise,maintaining the integrity of all involved?

A) Agreeing to allow the child to avoid chemotherapy
B) Explaining to the parents that without chemotherapy the child will die.
C) Obtaining a court order to require the parents to allow chemotherapy.
D) Agreeing to administer the chemotherapy agent with the fewest side effects.

Question 28

The nurse witnesses the patient's signature on a consent form to participate in her physician's research study.After the physician leaves the room,the patient tells the nurse she really doesn't want to participate but didn't have the heart to turn down the request because of fear that the physician would be upset.What should the nurse do to advocate for this patient?

A) Tell the patient the physician will not be upset.
B) Tell the physician why the patient agreed to participate.
C) Explain the importance of the research study to the patient.
D) Ask the patient what she would like you to do.

Question 29

The nurse is facing a moral dilemma and applies the MORAL model to decision making.After writing down all the possible options to solve the problem,what will the nurse do next?

A) Consider all the options and choose the best one.
B) Implement the chosen option.
C) Evaluate the effectiveness of the action.
D) Consider the dilemma and whom it involves.

Question 30

The nurse believes that abortion is wrong,but applies the MORAL model and decides that caring for patients following an abortion is her ethical duty.When evaluating the effectiveness of the nurse's decision process,what finding would indicate the nurse made the best choice?

A) The patient is discharged without experiencing complications from the procedure.
B) The nurse believes quality care was delivered and feels satisfied with the decision.
C) The nurse manager commends the nurse for providing excellent patient care.
D) The patient thanks the nurse for being supportive during a difficult time.

Question 31

The nurse faces a true ethical dilemma and uses several strategies for resolving the issue.What is the likely outcome?

A) A satisfying solution will be found if the nurse logically applies more than one strategy for decision making.
B) If the nurse involves other members of the healthcare team in the decision-making process, a compromise will be reached that satisfies everyone.
C) The nurse will nevertheless probably not be comfortable with any course of action, regardless of the strategy, model, or type of reasoning used.
D) A decision can be reached that is comfortable for the nurse if the nurse applies a decision model to the dilemma.