Question 1

A nurse's support of client autonomy is an example of which of the following?&#10;A) A value system&#10;B) A personal value&#10;C) A professional value&#10;D) A bioethical value

Accepted Answer

Client autonomy is a professional value in nursing. This means that nurses believe in respecting their clients' rights to make decisions about their own healthcare.

Question 2

Which of the following influenced the shift in ethical thinking away from abstract rules that reinforce a deductive reasoning process?&#10;A) Patricia Benner&#10;B) Maternalistic attitudes&#10;C) Feminine ethics&#10;D) The principle of nonmaleficence

Accepted Answer

Feminine ethics, also known as care ethics, challenged the traditional framework of ethical reasoning that prioritized abstract rules and principles. This approach emphasized the importance of personal relationships and the context of individual situations in ethical decision-making. The feminist movement in the 1970s and 1980s brought increased attention to care ethics and its influence on nursing ethics. Patricia Benner, a nursing theorist, also contributed to this shift in ethical thinking by emphasizing the importance of intuition and practical wisdom in nursing practice, rather than relying solely on deductive reasoning. Maternalistic attitudes and the principle of nonmaleficence are not directly related to this shift in ethical thinking towards care ethics.

Question 3

How may ethics best be described?&#10;A) The philosophical study of morality&#10;B) The study of right versus wrong&#10;C) The beliefs and norms of a society&#10;D) The application of ethical principles to moral issues

Accepted Answer

Ethics is primarily concerned with the philosophical study of morality, including the nature of moral values and the principles and concepts used to evaluate and justify ethical judgments. While ethics is concerned with issues of right and wrong, it is not limited to this dichotomy alone. Ethics also deals with concepts such as justice, fairness, virtue, and duty, and explores the relationships between these concepts and moral decision-making. Additionally, Ethics does not focus solely on the beliefs and norms of a particular society, but rather is concerned with moral reasoning that is applicable across different cultures and societies. Finally, while ethical principles can be applied to moral issues in practice, this is only one aspect of ethics as a field of inquiry.

Question 4

Which of the following considers the influence of the nurse-patient relationship on ethical decision making?&#10;A) Caring ethics&#10;B) Autonomous ethics&#10;C) Feminine ethics&#10;D) Relational ethics

Accepted Answer

Relational ethics focuses on the nurse-patient relationship and how it influences ethical decision making. This approach considers the context of the relationship, the power dynamics, and the importance of trust, communication, and mutual understanding. Caring ethics also considers the relationship, but is more focused on the nurse's responsibility to provide care and compassion. Autonomous ethics focuses on individual autonomy and decision making, while feminine ethics emphasizes the importance of relationships and interconnectedness but may not specifically address the nurse-patient relationship.

Question 5

Which of the following fields of ethics applies ethical theories and principles to actual moral problems?&#10;A) Philosophical ethics&#10;B) Biomedical ethics&#10;C) Nursing ethics&#10;D) Applied ethics

Accepted Answer

Applied ethics applies ethical theories and principles to actual moral problems. Philosophical ethics and biomedical ethics are subfields of ethics that focus on theories and principles, while nursing ethics is a subfield that focuses specifically on ethical issues related to nursing practice.

Question 6

What is the result when a nurse believes that a course of action is correct,but is prevented (through a law or policy,for example)from carrying out that action or influencing the decision,resulting in feelings of guilt?

A) An ethical dilemma
B) Moral distress
C) Ethical reasoning
D) Moral irresponsibility

Accepted Answer

This situation describes moral distress, which occurs when a healthcare professional knows what the right course of action is but is prevented from taking it due to external factors. This can lead to feelings of guilt, frustration, and powerlessness. Ethical dilemmas involve conflicting moral obligations, while ethical reasoning involves the process of analyzing and resolving ethical issues. Moral irresponsibility is a different concept altogether, referring to a lack of concern for ethical principles.

Question 7

Which of the following ethical principles is the foundation of informed consent?&#10;A) Beneficence&#10;B) Justice&#10;C) Nonmaleficence&#10;D) Autonomy

Accepted Answer

The principle of autonomy refers to an individual's right to make decisions about their own healthcare and well-being. Informed consent requires that individuals be fully informed of their options, risks, and benefits in order to make an autonomous decision. Therefore, autonomy is the foundation of informed consent.

Question 8

Which of the following exists when mutually exclusive alternatives can both be supported by strong moral reasons?&#10;A) Moral distress&#10;B) An ethical dilemma&#10;C) A value conflict&#10;D) A moral conflict

Accepted Answer

An ethical dilemma occurs when mutually exclusive alternatives can both be supported by strong moral reasons. Moral distress refers to a situation where an individual feels unable to act on their moral values due to internal or external constraints. A value conflict refers to a disagreement over the relative importance of different values, whereas a moral conflict is a clash between competing moral principles. Therefore, the best choice is B.

Question 9

Which of the following describes the concept of equality for all Canadians?&#10;A) A belief&#10;B) A value&#10;C) A principle&#10;D) A moral dilemma

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following describes the concept...

Question 10

Which of the following is the basis for ethical decision-making frameworks?&#10;A) Ethical reasoning&#10;B) Ethical values&#10;C) Ethical dilemmas&#10;D) Ethical principles

Accepted Answer

Ethical principles are the foundation of ethical decision-making frameworks. They provide guidance and direction when faced with complex ethical dilemmas. Ethical reasoning, ethical values, and ethical dilemmas are also important considerations when making ethical decisions, but they are not the basis for the framework itself.

Question 11

Which of the following is the focus of normative ethics?&#10;A) The analysis of morality without taking a moral position&#10;B) The question of what is right or wrong&#10;C) Explaining how moral attitudes and beliefs differ from person to person&#10;D) Distinguishing between what is normal and what is not

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following is the focus...

Question 12

Which of the following theories may guide nurses to choose actions that will lead to the best consequences,outcomes,or results?&#10;A) Utilitarian&#10;B) Deontological&#10;C) Normative&#10;D) Relative

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following theories may guide...

Question 13

What is the main difference between deontological and teleological theories?&#10;A) Teleological theory focuses on choosing correct actions.&#10;B) Deontological theory focuses on ends or outcomes and consequences of decisions.&#10;C) Deontological theory suggests that standards for moral behaviour are independent of the ends or outcomes of actions.&#10;D) Teleological theory is rule-based.

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is the main difference between deontological...

Question 14

What is the correct terminology to describe a framework of principles and guidelines that helps to identify ethical issues and reconcile conflicts?&#10;A) Ethical principles&#10;B) Ethical theory&#10;C) Ethical values&#10;D) Descriptive ethics

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is the correct terminology to describe...

Question 15

What is the main principle underlying a rule-based theory of utilitarianism?&#10;A) The theory is always deontological.&#10;B) The theory considers individual acts.&#10;C) The theory considers general patterns of behaviour.&#10;D) The theory is the foundation of nursing ethics.

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is the main principle underlying a...

Deck 2: Ethical Theoretical Perspectives