Ch. 6 Values, Ethics, and Advocacy

A nurse who is infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) accidentally gets a cut while debriding a wound, exposing the client to possible HIV infection. Failure of the nurse to report this incident violates which ethical principles? Select all that apply.

Nonmaleficence Veracity Fidelity

A nurse has completed 4 hours of an 8-hour shift on a medical-surgical unit when the nursing supervisor calls. The nursing supervisor directs the nurse 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 the nurse has been busy with client assignments 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?

Allocation of scarce nursing resources

A client is scheduled to have an elective surgical procedure performed but cannot decide whether to go forward with the procedure or cancel it. The client asks the nurse to help make the decision because the client lacks knowledge about the procedure. Which action by the nurse is the best way for this nurse to advocate for the client?

Allow the client to verbalize feelings, and provide information to help the client assess options.

A nurse volunteers to serve on the hospital ethics committee. Which action should the nurse expect to take as a member of the ethics committee?

Assist in decision making based on the client's best interests.

A client diagnosed with cancer has met with the oncologist and is now weighing whether to undergo chemotherapy or radiation for treatment. This client is demonstrating which ethical principle in making this decision?

Autonomy

Which theory of ethics prioritizes the nurse's relationship with clients and the nurse's character in the practice of ethical nursing?

Care-based ethics

Which nursing situation is an example of an ethical dilemma?

Deciding whether to perform cardiac compressions against a client's wishes

Which example most accurately depicts the ethical principle of autonomy?

Describing a surgery to a client before the consent is signed

A nurse working in a critical care unit has experienced personal tragedy, extreme shortage of staff in the work environment, and health issues. The nurse has overcome much of these hardships and is now mentoring other nurses in similar situations. What behavior is this nurse demonstrating?

Moral resilience

What would be an example of the nurse practicing fidelity? The nurse:

stays with a client during death as promised.

A nurse is providing care to a client and is preparing the client for breakfast. The nurse assists the client out of bed to the chair and then helps the client open the items on the breakfast tray. The client begins to eat breakfast. The nurse tells the client, "I'll be back in about 10 minutes to check on you. In the meantime, here is your call light in case you need me." About 10 minutes later, the nurse returns to check on the client. The nurse is demonstrating which ethical principle?

Fidelity

A nurse knows that the expression "Do not cause harm" refers to which ethical principle?

Nonmaleficence

A nurse is caring for a hospitalized client. Which nursing actions demonstrate a caring and compassionate attitude? Select all that apply.

Notifying the client before leaving for lunch Offering snacks and beverages to visiting family Explaining all nursing procedures clearly Listening to the client tell stories about past experience.

A nurse is having lunch in the break room and overhears the other nurses talking about a difficult client in an inappropriate way. The nurses attempt to engage her in the conversation. Which response by the nurse would best represent behavior that supports the value of human dignity in nursing practice?

Saying that this discussion is inappropriate and disrespectful to the client and that the nurse does not want to be a part of it

A nurse is providing care to an older adult client who was just diagnosed with cancer. The client together with the immediate family discuss their preferences with the health care providers involved. The health care providers offer their clinical recommendations about possible treatments. Utlimately, the group arrives at a decision. The nurse interprets this decision-making process as reflecting which type?

Shared

The principle of autonomy by a client is applied in which situation?

The client has decided to stop chemotherapy treatments.

Which statements indicate a correct understanding of the tenets of the Code of Ethics for Nurses? Select all that apply.

The nurse maintains standards of personal conduct. The nurse is active in developing a core of research-based principles. The nurse holds personal information as confidential.

Which is a characteristic of the care-based approach to bioethics?

The promotion of the dignity and respect of clients as people

Which actions by the nurse demonstrate the ethical principle of fidelity? Select all that apply.

Maintaining current nursing registration and meeting continuing education requirements Performing an intervention for a client at the time that was promised Taking an extra client assignment so that the client will be cared for

A nurse is providing care to a client with end-stage cancer. After weighing the alternatives, the client decides not to participate in a clinical trial offered and is requesting no further treatment. The nurse advocates for the client's decision based on the understanding that the client has the right to self-determination, interpreting the client's decision as reflecting which ethical principle?

Autonomy

Nurses who value client advocacy follow what guideline?

They give priority to the good of the individual client rather than to the good of society in general.

Which traits are examples of virtues that can exemplify character and conduct as a professional nurse? Select all that apply.

Trustworthiness Humility Compassion

A client tells the nurse that the client does not want to have a painful procedure. By respecting and supporting the client's right to make decisions, the nurse is demonstrating:

advocacy.

To practice ethically, the nurse should avoid:

allowing the nurse's own judgment to guide practice.