Chapter 6

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

The nurse has been educating a young adult client about living with type 1 diabetes and the importance of adhering to a strict dietary regimen. The client is repeatedly admitted and is not following the prescribed plan. What statement made by the nurse may facilitate values clarification for the client?

"Rank the three most important things in your life."

Which example best describes feminist ethics?

An approach critiquing existing patterns of oppression and domination in society

Which word is best described as protection and support of another's rights?

Advocacy

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

Which scenario is an example of the laissez-faire approach to value transmission?

Allowing a child to decide not to have an intravenous line inserted

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 ethical principle is related to the idea of self-determination?

Autonomy

Which ethical principle refers to the obligation to do good?

Beneficence

The nurse is involved in making a decision in an ethical dilemma. Drag and drop the steps of making this decision in correct order. Use all options.

Describe the situation and the contextual factors involved. Determine that the situation is, indeed, an ethical dilemma. Identify personal and professional moral positions of those involved. Compare the outcome of actions with what was expected. Identify how this situation can help with future decision-making.

Which example most accurately depicts the ethical principle of autonomy?

Describing a surgery to a client before the consent is signed

Using the nursing process to make ethical decisions involves following several steps. Which step is the nurse implementing when reflecting on the decision-making process and the role it will play in making future decisions?

Evaluating

A female client is brought to the emergency room with matted hair, bruising, and malnutrition. The nurse suspects physical abuse and neglect. The nurse states, "This happens to many women." Which type of ethical approach is the nurse exhibiting?

Feminist

A client rings the call bell to request pain medication. On performing the pain assessment, the nurse informs the client that the nurse will return with the pain medication. After a few moments, the nurse returns with the pain medication. The nurse's returning with the pain medication is an example of which principle of bioethics?

Fidelity

The nurse is caring for clients in a hospital setting. Which situations encountered by the nurse have a significant ethical component? Select all that apply.

Helping a client make end-of-life decisions Addressing a suspected breach in confidentiality Deciding how to reassign staff in light of budget cuts Deciding when to stop cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on a client in cardiac arrest

A nurse reports to the charge nurse that a client medication due at 9 am was omitted. Which principle is the nurse demonstrating?

Integrity

In the delivery of care, the nurse acts in accordance with nursing standards and the code of ethics and reports a medication error that the nurse has made. The nurse is most clearly demonstrating which professional value?

Integrity

The nurse beginning practice would like to access the standards for ethical practice. Which organization should the nurse research for these standards?

International Council of Nurses

A parent of a 17-year-old high school student is allowing the child to decide which college the child will attend. When the child requests direction from the parent in making this decision, the parent responds by stating, "You will need to make this decision on your own." What type of value transmission is the parent displaying?

Laissez-faire

The nurse is managing the care for a postoperative client. How does the nurse demonstrate advocacy?

Limiting visitors due to the client reporting pain

Which action most clearly demonstrates a nurse's commitment to social justice?

Lobbying for an expansion of healthcare resources and benefits to those in poverty

A charge nurse is always careful to listen carefully to clients and to be respectful of their privacy and care needs. The nurse says, "I want the staff on this unit to see me interacting with clients in the manner I would like for them to interact with clients." The nurse is using which technique to guide value development of the staff?

Modeling

The nurse has identified an ethical dilemma that has the potential to interfere with a client receiving optimal care. The nurse discussed this issue with the charge nurse on the unit. What action should the nurse choose next?

Monitor for resolution of the problem.

A nurse obtains an order for a bed alarm for a confused client. This is an example of which ethical principle?

Paternalism

A nurse is reviewing The International Council of Nurses (ICN) Code of Ethics for Nurses. Based on this code, the nurse would identify which responsibilities as being fundamental? Select all that apply.

Promoting health Preventing illness Restoring health Alleviating suffering

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. Ultimately, the group arrives at a decision. The nurse interprets this decision-making process as reflecting which type?

Shared

What is the term for the beliefs held by the individual about what matters?

Values

Several nurses on the same hospital unit communicate on the same social networking site. A nurse posts the following statement to the social networking page, "The lady in room 34 with heart failure was a train wreck!" In which manner has the nurse failed to apply the principles of confidentiality?

Sharing information about a client beyond the area of client care is unacceptable and breaches the client's confidentiality rights.

A nurse uses the utilitarian action guiding theory when deciding how to handle the following ethical conflict: A 13-year-old client with anorexia refuses to eat food despite slowly starving to death. The parents insist that the nurse use a feeding tube to feed the client. Which statement is an example of this theory in practice?

The nurse forces food via an eating tube because the end result is good in that it will save the client's life.

A nurse seeks to incorporate the principle of bioethics known as nonmaleficence when caring for clients in a long-term care facility. Which nursing action(s) exemplify this principle? Select all that apply.

The nurse performs regular client assessments for pressure injuries. The nurse follows "medication rights" when administering medicine to clients.

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

The promotion of the dignity and respect of clients as people

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 personal judgment to guide practice

A nurse is providing care for a client with cancer. The client's spouse requests that the client not be told that the client is terminal. The nurse complies with this request. The nurse's action is a breach of which ethical principle?

fidelity

Ethical distress is:

knowing the correct action but being unable to perform it due to constraints.

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 cannot do it anymore." What ethical problem is the adult child experiencing?

moral distress

An older adult was just diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer. The client states, "I am so overwhelmed and I feel like everyone has already decided that I need to be put in hospice care."

offering to answer questions the client may have about care and treatment options and providing the client with the information needed to obtain a second opinion

A nurse is of the Catholic faith and votes pro-life. This nurse is considered to have:

personal values.

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

stays with a client during death as promised.