Question 1

What element in health care is most responsible for the ethical dilemma of whether health care is a privilege or a right?

Accepted Answer

Variables of the justice principle involve the allocation of scarce or expensive health care resources.The following questions are a few examples illustrating this principle: What kind of access to health care should illegal immigrants receive-preventive care or only more costly emergency care? How should the health care of children be allocated? Should all children receive the same health care regardless of ability to pay?

Question 2

The ethical principle of autonomy is not applicable in which patient situation?

Accepted Answer

This principle assumes rational thinking on the part of the individual,and being unaware of who and where the patient is,is not indicative of the ethical principle of autonomy.Autonomy is a patient's right to self-determination implies the freedom to make choices and decisions about one's own care without interference even if those decisions are not in agreement with those of the health care team.In the other situations,the patient has rational thinking even though he or she may not understand or speak English because an interpreter could assist.

Question 3

A nurse is educating themself on the ANA Code of Ethics.Which action by the nurse would be unethical,according to the ANA Code of Ethics?

Accepted Answer

ANA Code 1: The nurse provides services with respect for human dignity and the uniqueness of the patient unrestricted by considerations of social or economic status,personal attributes,or the nature of the health problem.Nurses have the right to engage in collective bargaining and lobbying for health care issues.Nurses have a legal responsibility based on the Nurse Practice Act in their states to report an incompetent of impaired colleague.

Question 4

A patient with cancer has decided to end treatment and is discussing end-of-life care with family.The nurse notices that the attending physician has just ordered another dose of chemotherapy.What would be the best action for the nurse to take as an advocate for the patient?

Accepted Answer

As an advocate for the patient,the nurse should advocate for the patient with the attending physician and family by facilitating communication.It would be best for all parties to be in a room together so that a discussion can take place.It would not be appropriate to send the order to pharmacy,try to convince the patient to receive chemotherapy,or to tell the patient that the drug must be given because it was already ordered.

Question 5

A nurse is educating a group of nursing on the deontological model of ethical reasoning.The nurse determines that the teaching has been effective when a student states:

Accepted Answer

The deontological model of ethical reasoning states that all life is worthy of respect.Abortions and euthanasia are never acceptable because they violate the duty to respect the sanctity of all life.Lying is never acceptable because it violates the duty to tell the truth.

Question 6

What ethical principle is implemented,or supported,when the nurse encourages a patient to be involved in planning and implementing self-care?

Accepted Answer

A patient's right to self-determination implies the freedom to make choices and decisions about one's own care without interference even if those decisions are not in agreement with those of the health care team.Justice is the duty to treat all patients fairly without regard to age,socioeconomic status,or other variables.This principle involves the allocation of scarce and expensive health care resources.Fidelity involves keeping information confidential and maintaining privacy and trust.Veracity is the duty to tell the truth.

Question 7

A nurse and a patient are discussing the patient's wishes regarding resuscitation.The patient decides that resuscitated is not wanted under any circumstances.What action can the nurse take to identify the ethical issues of the situation?

Accepted Answer

When identifying the ethical issues of the situation,the nurse should encourage the patient to share his wishes with his family.It is not the position of the nurse to try to change the patient's mind or force him to remain a "full code." The nurse should respect the patient's wishes and document them accordingly.

Question 8

A nurse manager is teaching the purpose of the nurse's Code of Ethics to a group of high school students.Which statement by one of the students indicates that the teaching has been effective? The purpose of the nurse's Code of Ethics is

Accepted Answer

The American Nurses Association (ANA)Code of Ethics (2001)is a statement to society that outlines the values,concerns,and goals of the profession.It should be compatible with the values and goals of each nurse.It does not outline moral or immoral acts or make statements regarding legal aspects of nursing.

Question 9

The nurse is educating a coworker on the ethical principle of beneficence.The nurse judges the teaching to be effective when her coworker states:

Accepted Answer

Beneficence is the ethical principle of actively doing good for patients.Allowing patients to make their own health care decisions is autonomy.Doing no harm to the patient is nonmaleficence.Justice involves treating all patients equally.

Question 10

Which statement best describes the Code of Ethics of the American Nurses Association?

Accepted Answer

The Code of Ethics is a moral statement of accountability for practicing nurses and for student nurses.It is a statement to society that outlines the values,concerns,and goals of the profession,thereby addressing accountability.The code provides direction for ethical decisions and behavior by repeatedly emphasizing the obligations and responsibilities that the nurse-patient relationship entails.It lacks legal enforceability and is not a legal document like licensure laws

Question 11

What action can the nurse take to uphold the ethical principle of fidelity?

Accepted Answer

The nurse can uphold the ethical principle of fidelity by reporting unscrupulous billing practices.Disclosing the results of an HIV test to a patient's family would violate fidelity.Making health care decisions would violate autonomy.Accepting an assignment that is unsafe violates nonmaleficence.

Question 12

Which action by the nurse shows an understanding of the ethical principle of autonomy?

Accepted Answer

The nurse shows understanding of the ethical principle of autonomy by allowing patients the right to make their own health care decisions even if the nurse does not agree with their decisions.It is not up to the nurse or the attending physician to make health care decisions for patients.

Question 13

A patient who has a terminal illness wants to be able to take a prescription medication to end life when suffering becomes unbearable.The patient asks the nurse for advice.Operating from a deontological point of reference,what action does the nurse take?

Accepted Answer

Deontology is rule-bound and inflexible,obtaining moral authority from absolutes revealed by God.To preserve the sanctity of life,the nurse cannot participate in this situation.Advising the patient of providers to see is working from a teleological viewpoint because the end (patient death)might be seen as outweighing the means (helping the patient find a provider to provide a lethal prescription of drugs).Assessing the situation to see how the patient is affected (versus how some other patient would be affected)is situational.Determining financial status is not related to a specific philosophical outlook but might violate the principle of justice.

Question 14

A nurse is educating nursing students on the teleological model of ethical reasoning.The nurse judges that the education has been effective when a student states:

Accepted Answer

The teleological model of ethical reasoning is interpreted as meaning "the end justifies the means." The rights of some individuals may be sacrificed for the majority.Therefore,abortion may be acceptable because it results in fewer unwanted babies.Euthanasia may be acceptable because it results in decreased suffering.

Question 15

A nurse is caring for a patient who has just been diagnosed with cancer.The patient's family has requested that the patient not be told at this time because it would be devastating.The patient asks the nurse if the diagnosis is cancer.If the nurse were to uphold the ethical principle of veracity,what would the response be?

Accepted Answer

If the nurse were to uphold the ethical principle of veracity,the nurse would inform the patient of the diagnosis and involve the physician in the discussion.The nurse should not lie to the patient or withhold information at the family's request; the patient has a right to know information regarding his or her health care.

Question 16

The nurse is very busy caring for a large case load.An adult patient mentions that by having slow mobility,"people just do things for me rather than allowing me to do as much as possible on my own." To solve the dilemma of needing to conserve time versus supporting the patient's involvement in self- care,what principle may help the nurse?

Accepted Answer

Autonomy implies the freedom to have choices and make decisions about one's own care without interference.Just because this patient is slow does not mean he or she cannot make choices and participate in self-care.Justice is the duty to treat all patients fairly without regard to age,socioeconomic status,or other variables.This principle involves the allocation of scarce and expensive health care resources.Veracity is the duty to tell the truth.Fidelity involves keeping information confidential and maintaining privacy and trust.

Question 17

A nurse is educating a nurse aide on patient confidentiality.The nurse believes the teaching to be effective when the nurse aide states that confidentiality will be maintained by a nurse who believes in and values the ethical principle of

Accepted Answer

Fidelity involves keeping information confidential and maintaining privacy and trust.Veracity means to tell the truth.Autonomy involves the patient making an informed decision and implies the freedom to make choices and decisions about one's own care without interference even if those decisions are not in agreement with those of the health care team.Justice is the duty to treat all patients fairly without regard to age,socioeconomic status,or other variables.

Question 18

A nurse is educating an adult patient on patient rights,according to the American Hospital Association.The teaching has been effective when the adult states that the patient's rights include:

Accepted Answer

When you are a patient in the hospital,you have the right to receive considerate and respectful care.The American Hospital Association published a Patient's Bill of Rights,which is now revised and called The Patient Care Partnership.This document reflects acknowledgment of patients' rights to participate in their health care and was developed as a response to consumer criticism of paternalistic provider care.The statements detail the patient's rights with corresponding provider responsibilities.This document reflects the increasing emphasis on patient autonomy in health care and defines the limits of provider influence and control.It does not contain information on diets,nursing diagnosis,or the ability to pay for medical care.

Question 19

Advance directives such as the health care proxy and living will support what ethical principle?

Accepted Answer

Autonomy implies the freedom to make choices and decisions about one's own care without interference even if those decisions are not in agreement with those of the health care team.Veracity is the duty to tell the truth.Beneficence is the duty to actively do good for patients.Speaking out on behalf of the patient is an essential part of the advocacy role of the nurse.

Question 20

Which ethical principle is applied when the nurse acts to safeguard the patient and the public by reporting poor nursing practice?

Accepted Answer

Veracity-the duty to tell the truth-is represented in this situation.Autonomy is the right of the patient to make an informed decision.Fidelity means to act in a way that is loyal,such as keeping information private and confidential.Justice requires the nurse to treat all patients fairly without regard to age,socioeconomic status,or other variables.

Quiz 19: Ethical Issues