Ethics PrepUs

Which nursing situations are examples of the care-based approach to ethics? Select all that apply. 1.Documenting data in the electronic medical record 2.Holding the hand of a dying client 3.Taking a week's vacation from work 4.Involving the parent in the bed bath of a child 5.Providing a back rub to a client on bed rest

2.Holding the hand of a dying client 4.Involving the parent in the bed bath of a child 5.Providing a back rub to a client on bed rest

A client with cancer of the stomach tells the nurse, "I cannot bear the pain anymore. Please give me some poison to free myself from this agonizing pain." The nurse faces a value conflict. Which of the following is true in such a condition? 1.Value conflict has no effect on the client's compliance. 2.Human need may affect the values conflict. 3.Values conflict is always destructive in nature. 4.The nurse should solely consider the values of the client.

2.Human need may affect the values conflict.

Which of the following is a true statement about critical thinking according to Alfaro-LeFevre (2006)? 1.It makes judgments based on conjecture. 2.It is guided by professional standards and codes of ethics. 3.It is based on the medical model. 4.It considers only the client's needs.

2.It is guided by professional standards and codes of ethics.

The principle of autonomy by a client is applied in which situation? 1.An order for an antibiotic is being written in the chart. 2.The client has decided to stop chemotherapy treatments. 3.A hospice consult is ordered by the nurse. 4.The family of a client is discussing care with the physician.

2.The client has decided to stop chemotherapy treatments.

When an ethical decision is made based on the reasoning of the "greatest good for the greatest number," what theory is the nurse following? 1.Deontological theory 2.Utilitarian theory 3.Formalist theory 4.Moral-justification theory

2.Utilitarian theory

The nurse educator provides an educational session to the nursing staff on protection of a client's privacy. Which circumstances, identified by the staff, would indicate to the educator that the teaching was effective? Select all that apply. 1.The nurse questioned the client about her social life even though it did not affect care planning. 2.With the client's permission, the nurse explained the client's diagnosis to the client's spouse. 3.During a bed bath, the nurse exposed the client's upper torso while washing the client's face. 4.The nurse removed the client from the emergency department waiting room into a private area to collect assessment data. 5.Because the facility is a teaching facility, the nurse allowed the nursing student to take the client's picture for his care plan.

2.With the client's permission, the nurse explained the client's diagnosis to the client's spouse. 4.The nurse removed the client from the emergency department waiting room into a private area to collect assessment data.

A psychiatric nursing class is discussing current trends in mental health care. A student voices the opinion that there should be equitable access to mental health care and resources for those who live in rural areas, for those without health insurance, and for those with very little income. The student nurse's opinion most closely reflects which ethical principle? 1.paternalism 2.justice 3.nonmaleficence 4.veracity

2.justice

A nurse is caring for a client diagnosed with myocardial infarction. A person identifying himself as the client's friend asks the nurse for the client's records, but the nurse refuses. The nurse's refusal is based on the understanding that which people would be entitled to access of the client's records? 1.any family member of the client 2.those directly involved in the client's care 3.close friends of the client 4.health care professionals of the facility

2.those directly involved in the client's care

A terminally ill client asks the nurse what assisted suicide is. Which response is best for the nurse to provide? 1."It is best if you talk to your doctor about that since assisted suicide is illegal in all states." 2."It is when the clinician administers a lethal dose of medication to cause the client's death." 3."It is when a lethal combination of drugs is made available to the client wishing to die." 4."It is withdrawing medical treatment with the intention of causing a client's death."

3."It is when a lethal combination of drugs is made available to the client wishing to die."

A nurse is determining whether or not informed consent has been obtained from the family of a child who is going to have abdominal surgery. Which statement by the family would lead the nurse to suspect that informed consent is lacking? 1."Although there are risks involved, our son needs the surgery to cure the problem." 2."We are amazed that he'll be up and walking around the day after surgery." 3."We had to sign the form right away so the surgery could get scheduled." 4."He might miss some school afterwards, but he'll be feeling much better."

3."We had to sign the form right away so the surgery could get scheduled."

The nurse working in the operating room is scheduled to circulate for an elective abortion. The nurse tells the supervisor that it will not be possible to assist with this case due to religious beliefs. What problem is the nurse experiencing with this surgical case? 1.Trust issues 2.Nonmaleficence 3.An ethical dilemma 4.Veracity

3.An ethical dilemma

The patient has become confused and attempts to climb out of bed. What interventions can the nurse provide prior to using restraints? 1.Place the patient in a chair at the nurses' station with a sheet tied around the waist. 2.Place all four side rails of the bed in the upright position. 3.Ask a family member to sit with the patient. 4.Call the physician to prescribe sedation for the patient.

3.Ask a family member to sit with the patient.

The American Nurses Association's Code of Ethics provides practice guidelines, based on universal moral principles, for all nurses. Select the statement that reflects the nurse's primary commitment within this framework. The nurse is: 1.Expected to collaborate with other health care professionals. 2.Expected to maintain competence and professional development. 3.Committed to the patient, whether an individual, family, group or community, to promote health, safety and individual rights. 4.Responsible for enhancing the profession of nursing practice, working within its set parameters.

3.Committed to the patient, whether an individual, family, group or community, to promote health, safety and individual rights.

A client is brought to the emergency department by an adult child, who states, "I am unable to care for my parent anymore. Although I would like to, financially and physically I can't do it anymore." What ethical problem is the adult child experiencing? 1.Uncertainty 2.Dilemma 3.Distress 4.Dissatisfaction

3.Distress

An inmate from a correctional facility is admitted to the hospital wearing handcuffs. The nurse caring for the client needs to provide morning care and notices the two correctional officers socializing with the nursing staff at the desk. What is the best action by the nurse in this situation? 1.Perform morning care while the client is handcuffed. 2.Ask one of the officers to remove the handcuffs. 3.Insist that the officers stay in the room at all times. 4.Ask another nurse to accompany the nurse into the room.

3.Insist that the officers stay in the room at all times.

A client scheduled to have a surgery for a hernia the next day is anxious about the whole procedure. The nurse assures the client that surgery for hernias is very common and that the prognosis is very good. What skills of the nurse are reflected here? 1.Systems skills. 2.Imaginal skills. 3.Interpersonal skills. 4.Instrumental skills.

3.Interpersonal skills.

An HIV-positive client discovers that his name is published in a research report on HIV care prepared by his nurse. He is hurt and files a lawsuit against her. Which offense has the nurse committed? 1.Unintentional tort 2.Defamation of client 3.Invasion of privacy 4.Negligence of duty

3.Invasion of privacy

Which of the following is a true statement about a living will? 1.It is legal consent. 2.It is a type of financial attainment. 3.It states the client's wishes regarding healthcare if terminally ill. 4.It specifies information regarding nontreatment only.

3.It states the client's wishes regarding healthcare if terminally ill.

A nurse caring for older adults in a long-term care facility is teaching a novice nurse characteristic behaviors of older adults. Which statement is not considered ageism? 1.Intelligence declines with age. 2.Most older adults are ill and institutionalized. 3.Personality is not changed by chronologic aging. 4.Old age begins at age 65.

3.Personality is not changed by chronologic aging.

Nursing students in an ethics class have been asked to define "ethics." What would be the best definition of ethics? 1.The adherence to formal personal values. 2.The informal, systematic study of moral beliefs. 3.The formal, systematic study of moral beliefs. 4.The adherence to informal personal values.

3.The formal, systematic study of moral beliefs.

Which example may illustrate a breach of confidentiality and security of client information? 1.The nurse accesses client information on the computer at the nurse's station then logs off before answering a client's call bell. 2.The nurse informs a colleague that she should not be discussing client information in the hospital cafeteria. 3.The nurse provides information over the phone to the client's family member who lives in a neighboring state. 4.The nurse provides information to a professional caregiver involved in the care of the client.

3.The nurse provides information over the phone to the client's family member who lives in a neighboring state.

A nurse is caring for a client who is a practicing Jehovah's Witness. The physician orders two units of packed cells based on his low hemoglobin and hematocrit levels. The nurse states to the surgeon that it is unethical to go against the client's beliefs even though his blood counts are very low. What is the best description of the nurse's intentions? 1.being legally responsible 2.observing institutional policies 3.acting in the client's best interest 4.siding with the client over the surgeon

3.acting in the client's best interest

Prioritizing client care is an ongoing process within the art of nursing. Abraham Maslow proposed five levels of need and grouped them according to significance. Which client need is of primary importance? 1.being safe from falling 2.liking one's roommate 3.breathing easily 4.being able to keep up with current events while ill

3.breathing easily

The nurse enters the nondiabetic client's room shortly after a group of health care providers has made rounds. The client asks, "Why did the doctor tell the others that I am not compliant with my diabetes regimen?" The nurse is aware that which ethical principle has been violated? 1.respect for persons 2.trust 3.confidentiality 4.fidelity

3.confidentiality

A nursing student is initiating a relationship with an assigned client. After meeting and spending approximately 20 minutes talking with the client, the student makes arrangements to visit again after lunch. After lunch, fellow classmates invite the student to go to the gym with them and a group of clients to play volleyball. The student starts to go with them but then remembers the promise to meet with the client. The student decides to forgo volleyball and talk with the client. The student's decision reflects which ethical principle? 1.veracity 2.beneficence 3.fidelity 4.autonomy

3.fidelity

During the introductory phase of interviewing for the purpose of obtaining information for the nursing history, the nurse should: 1.review literature pertinent to the client's attributes. 2.assess personal feelings regarding similar clinical situations. 3.inform the client of the maintenance of confidentiality. 4.implement supportive nursing interventions.

3.inform the client of the maintenance of confidentiality

An adolescence is in the process of value formation. What does the nurse determine that will be the greatest influence in the child's formation of values in this developmental stage? 1.work. 2.school administration. 3.peers. 4.awareness of other cultures.

3.peers.

A nurse saw a coworker steal drugs from a locked cabinet. The supervisor notices the missing drugs and has a good idea who is responsible for the theft. The supervisor asks if the nurse saw anything out of the ordinary. Which professional value reflects a nurse's duty to tell the truth? 1.nonmaleficence 2.autonomy 3.veracity 4.beneficence

3.veracity

A nurse is caring for a client declared brain dead following a motor vehicle accident. When the nurse enters the client's room, his spouse and family are talking with friends about the possibility of organ donation. Which statement by the nurse reflects an ethical practice dilemma? 1."I can ask someone to come by to talk with you and answer any questions you may have." 2."I can come back after you've finished your visit." 3."The health care team will support you in your decision on this difficult subject." 4."If you're thinking about organ donation, my sister is waiting for a kidney transplant. She'd be an excellent recipient. I can give you her phone number."

4."If you're thinking about organ donation, my sister is waiting for a kidney transplant. She'd be an excellent recipient. I can give you her phone number."

Which term is defined as a formal systematic study of moral beliefs? 1.Fidelity 2.Veracity 3.Morality 4.Ethics

4.Ethics

A client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease presents with respiratory acidosis and hypoxemia. He tells the nurse that he doesn't want to be placed on a ventilator. What action should the nurse take? 1.Consult the palliative care group to direct care for the client. 2.Have the client sign a do-not-resuscitate (DNR) form. 3.Determine whether the client's family was consulted about his decision. 4.Notify the physician immediately so he can determine client competency.

4.Notify the physician immediately so he can determine client competency.

To ensure ethical nursing care when dealing with genetic and genomic information, which principle would the nurse integrate as the foundation for all nursing care? 1.Veracity 2.Fidelity 3.Justice 4.Respect for people

4.Respect for people

A nurse is conducting a physical assessment on an adolescent who doesn't want her parents informed that she had an abortion in the past. Which statement best describes the information security measures the nurse can implement in this situation? 1.Discussing the adolescent's medical history with her parents and thoroughly document it in the medical record. 2.Before agreeing to maintain confidentiality, determine whether the adolescent is an emancipated minor. 3.Because the adolescent is a minor, inform her parents about her medical history. 4.Respect the adolescent's wishes and maintain her confidentiality.

4.Respect the adolescent's wishes and maintain her confidentiality.

An older couple approaches the nurse's station seeking information about their hospitalized grandchild. What should be the nurse's response? 1.Answer the grandparents' questions in a less public place. 2.Ask to see identification from the two individuals. 3.Assume "busy-looking" behaviors and move away. 4.Tell the couple to seek information directly from the child's parents.

4.Tell the couple to seek information directly from the child's parents.

What would be an example of the nurse practicing fidelity? The nurse: 1.withholds information as requested. 2.regulates visitors. 3.provides continuity of care. 4.stays with the client during his death as promised.

4.stays with the client during his death as promised.

A nursing student is making notes that include client data on a clipboard. Which statement by the nursing instructor is most appropriate? 1."Clipboards with client data should not leave the unit." 2."You can get an electronic print out of client lab data to take with you." 3."Be sure to put the client's name and room number on all paperwork." 4."Be sure to write down specific information for your clinical paperwork."

1."Clipboards with client data should not leave the unit."

What is the term for the beliefs held by the individual about what matters? 1.Ethics 2.Values 3.Bioethics 4.Morals

2.Values

The client asks the nurse, "Why can't the doctor tell me exactly how much of my leg they're going to take off? Don't you think I should know that?" What information should the nurse use to answer the client's question? 1.the ease with which a prosthesis can be fitted 2.the client's ability to walk with a prosthesis 3.the need to remove as much of the leg as possible 4.the adequacy of the blood supply to the tissues

4.the adequacy of the blood supply to the tissues

The term used to guide the cultural aspects of nursing care and respect individual differences is: 1.family nursing. 2.ethnicity nursing. 3.diversity nursing. 4.transcultural nursing.

4.transcultural nursing.

A minister approaches a nurse caring for a client who is a member of the minister's congregation. The minister inquires as to whether the member has been made aware of his/her diagnosis. Which of the following would be the best response by the nurse? 1."I understand your concern, but have you asked the client?" 2."I saw the physician this morning, so I imagine the client has been told." 3."Yes, the client is aware and is taking it quite well." 4."I don't think that the client's diagnosis should be your concern."

1."I understand your concern, but have you asked the client?"

A home care nurse is approached by the client's neighbor while walking to the car after visiting the client. The neighbor asks, "What's wrong with Tom? Is he sick?" How should the nurse respond? 1."I'm a nurse caring for Tom, but I cannot tell you anything about his condition." 2."I'm a nurse caring for Tom. I can say he is improving dramatically." 3."I'm a nurse caring for Tom but can't talk now. Here is my contact information for questions." 4."I'm a nurse caring for Tom, but you should ask his wife about his condition."

1."I'm a nurse caring for Tom, but I cannot tell you anything about his condition."

Which ethical principle is related to the idea of self-determination? 1.Autonomy 2.Nonmaleficence 3.Beneficence 4.Confidentiality

1.Autonomy

A nurse who works on a palliative care unit has participated in several clinical scenarios that have required the application of ethics. Ethics is best defined as: 1.The principles that determine whether an act is right or wrong. 2.The laws that govern acceptable and unacceptable behavior. 3.The relationship between law and culture. 4.Moral values are considered to be universal.

1.The principles that determine whether an act is right or wrong.

To practice ethically, the nurse should: 1.avoid allowing her judgment to guide practice. 2.allow a committee to guide her practice. 3.ask the family their views on caring. 4.review past cases before guiding practice.

1.avoid allowing her judgment to guide practice.

A nurse in a hospice facility cares for clients with terminal illnesses and witnesses a great deal of pain and emotional distress. Which factor that affects healthcare ethics determines how the nurse must respond when a client asks for help in ending his or her suffering? 1.legislative and judicial decisions 2.advances in scientific research 3.advances in technology 4.healthcare reform

1.legislative and judicial decisions

Which is a true statement regarding placebos? 1.A placebo should be used as the first line of treatment for a client. 2.A placebo effect is an indication that the client does not have pain. 3.A positive response to a placebo indicates that the client's pain is not real. 4.A placebo should never be used to test a client's truthfulness about pain.

4.A placebo should never be used to test a client's truthfulness about pain.

What is provided in the Code of Ethics for Nurses of the American Nurses Association (ANA)? 1.A guideline for nurses regarding ethical conduct 2.Information about what to do when confronted with an ethical dilemma 3.A description of case studies featuring ethical dilemmas 4.Pathways to follow for each of the ethical principles

1.A guideline for nurses regarding ethical conduct

In which circumstance may the nurse legally and ethically disclose confidential information about a client? 1.A taxi driver's diagnosis of an uncontrolled seizure disorder to a state agency 2.A single male client's human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) status to his family members 3.The fact that a woman is 32 weeks pregnant with twins to the husband from whom she is legally separated 4.A diagnosis of pancreatic cancer to a client's significant other

1.A taxi driver's diagnosis of an uncontrolled seizure disorder to a state agency

The nurse has inadvertently administered medication ordered for Client A to Client B. What is the appropriate nursing action? Select all that apply. 1.Assess Client B thoroughly. 2.Contact the provider to report the error. 3.Complete an incident report. 4.Tell Client A that the wrong drugs were given to Client B. 5.Do nothing, as long as Client B has no reaction.

1.Assess Client B thoroughly. 2.Contact the provider to report the error. 3.Complete an incident report.

A nurse is asked to serve on an ethics committee. Which roles of the nurse would the nurse be required to fill on the committee? Select all that apply. 1.presenting explanations about technical terminology 2.making the final decision about end-of-life care 3.deciding whether mechanical ventilation is appropriate for a client 4.serving as a liaison between the family and the committee members 5.advocating for the client's wishes

1.presenting explanations about technical terminology 4.serving as a liaison between the family and the committee members 5.advocating for the client's wishes

A nurse is caring for a client who is well known in society. A person inquires about the medical details of the client, saying that he is a family member. The nurse reveals the requested information. Later, the nurse comes to know that the inquirer was not a family member. Which of the following ethical rules of professional-client relationships has the nurse violated? 1.Privacy. 2.Confidentiality. 3.Fidelity. 4.Veracity.

2.Confidentiality.

A nurse is working within the managed care delivery model. Which of the following is true regarding managed care? 1.All plans have the same values underlying the delivery of care. 2.Their values are not reflected in the decision making. 3.There are no conflicts between cost-effectiveness and respectful care. 4.All systems reflect the values of efficiency and effectiveness.

4.All systems reflect the values of efficiency and effectiveness.

A nurse has completed four hours of his eight-hour shift on a medical-surgical unit when he receives a phone call from the nursing supervisor. The nursing supervisor informs him that he needs to give a report to the other two nurses on the medical-surgical unit and immediately report to the telemetry unit to assist with staff needs on that unit. The nurse informs the supervisor that he has been busy with his client assignment and feels this will overwhelm the nurses on the medical-surgical unit. The supervisor informs the nurse that the need is greater on the telemetry unit. This is an example of which type of ethical problem? 1.Deception 2.Conflicts concerning new technology 3.Advocacy in a market-driven environment 4.Allocation of scarce nursing resources

4.Allocation of scarce nursing resources

The use of patient restraints limits which ethical principle? 1.Beneficence 2.Trust 3.Justice 4.Autonomy

4.Autonomy

A nurse is caring for a toddler who was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor. The parents are having difficulty deciding on a course of action for their child. Why is it important to have the nurse involved in an ethical discussion about a planned course of treatment? 1.The nurse can easily make time to discuss issues with the parents. 2.It isn't important to involve the nurse in this type of discussion. 3.The nurse is viewed as the authority on ethical issues at the hospital. 4.The nurse can act as a liaison between the child, the child's parents, and the health care team.

4.The nurse can act as a liaison between the child, the child's parents, and the health care team.

An illegal immigrant with no health insurance sustained life-threatening injuries following an automobile accident. Which action demonstrates the ethical principle of justice? 1.filing the paperwork for the client to receive retroactive health insurance 2.avoiding treating the client so as to not do any additional harm 3.telling the client honest information about the client's medical condition and prognosis 4.airlifting the client to a local trauma center for emergency surgery

4.airlifting the client to a local trauma center for emergency surgery

A client with metastatic brain cancer is admitted to the oncology floor. According to the Self-Determination Act of 1991 concerning the execution of an advance directive, the hospital is required to: 1.decide on a treatment plan if the client can't. 2.advise clients not to execute their advance directives because they limit treatment options. 3.respect individuals' moral rights. 4.inform the client or legal guardian of their rights to execute an advance directive.

4.inform the client or legal guardian of their rights to execute an advance directive.

A nurse is of the Catholic faith and votes pro-life. He is considered to have: 1.ethics. 2.legal obligations. 3.personal morality. 4.personal values.

4.personal values.