Deck 6: Ethics

Question 1

A patient is about to undergo a new,controversial bone marrow transplant procedure.The procedure may cause periods of pain and suffering.Although nurses agree to do no harm,this procedure may be necessary to promote health.This is an example of which ethnical principle?

A) Autonomy
B) Justice
C) Fidelity
D) Nonmaleficence

Answer 1

Nonmaleficence

Question 2

The mother of a 45-year-old patient is a retired physician and requests to discuss the patient's plan of care with the nurse caring for the patient.What is the nurse's best response to this request?

A) "I will need to ask permission from my supervisor before I can share that information."
B) "I will show you the chart, just follow me and we can discuss your questions and concerns."
C) "I would suggest that you leave me out of your family problems. I am here to care for the patient."
D) "I will have to get the patient's permission before I can share that information."

Answer 2

"I will have to get the patient's permission before I can share that information."

Question 3

A nurse is processing an ethical dilemma by focusing on relationships and stories of the participants.Which ethical system is the nurse using?

A) Deontology
B) Utilitarianism
C) Feminist ethics
D) Ethics of care

Answer 3

Ethics of care

Question 4

A registered nurse has recently been reassigned to the gynecology unit at the hospital.The nurse is strongly against abortion because of religious beliefs and contacts the nursing supervisor regarding the assignment because the unit cares for women who are undergoing abortions.The nurse is having a conflict in which area?

A) Confidentiality
B) Values
C) Social networking
D) Culture

Question 5

A nurse is teaching the staff about the International Council of Nurses Code of Ethics.Which major element of the Code should the nurse include in the teaching session?

A) People
B) Pride
C) Power
D) Problems

Question 6

Although a registered nurse has been working for several years as a staff nurse on an adult oncology unit,the nurse recently transferred to a pediatric unit in the hospital.The nurse will be in orientation for several days to learn about the different systems and will need to demonstrate proficiency in various pediatric areas such as medication administration.Which behavior is the nurse demonstrating?

A) Competency
B) Judgment
C) Advocacy
D) Utilitarianism

Question 7

A community health nurse states,"I wish we had just a portion of the dollars spent repairing atherosclerotic hearts to teach the community about cardiovascular risk factors." The nurse's statement stems from what philosophy?

A) Deontology
B) Feminist ethic
C) Utilitarianism
D) Ethics of care

Question 8

A nurse is teaching the staff about how to process an ethical dilemma.Which order should the nurse use to present the steps
A-Evaluate the action.
B-Negotiate the outcome.
C-State the problem clearly.
D-Gather all relevant information.
E-Examine own values and opinions.
F-Consider possible courses of action.

A) d, e, c, f, a, b
B) d, e, c, f, b, a
C) d, c, e, f, a, b
D) d, e, c, b, f, a

Question 9

A 9-year-old patient was severely burned and has been undergoing whirlpool treatments to debride the wounds.The patient is crying and does not want to go to the physical therapy department for treatment.The registered nurse caring for the patient knows that,even though it is uncomfortable,the patient needs to have the therapy for the wounds to heal properly.The nurse is demonstrating which ethical principle?

A) Autonomy
B) Bioethics
C) Justice
D) Beneficence

Question 10

A registered nurse knows that an oncology patient undergoing a bone marrow transplant will spend weeks in isolation in the hospital.During that time the patient will be at an increased risk for infection and other complications and may not recover.The nurse ensures that the patient has been given information regarding the risks and potential benefits of the procedure.The nurse is following which ethical principle?

A) Autonomy
B) Justice
C) Fidelity
D) Nonmaleficence

Question 11

A nurse decides to withhold a medication because it will further lower a patient's respiratory rate.In this case,the nurse is practicing what principle?

A) Responsibility
B) Privacy
C) Ethics
D) Moral behavior

Question 12

The code of ethics for nursing sets forth ideals of nursing conduct and was developed by what organization?

A) The Board of Nursing
B) The American Medical Association
C) The National League for Nursing
D) The American Nurses Association

Question 13

A registered nurse who works on an oncology unit discussed pain control options that the primary health care provider had ordered with a patient undergoing treatment for pancreatic cancer.The patient requested that the intravenous (IV)pain medication be given on a regular basis.The nurse agreed to provide the IV pain medication as requested and continued to reevaluate the pain levels.The nurse is following which ethical principle?

A) Autonomy
B) Justice
C) Fidelity
D) Nonmaleficence

Question 14

A nurse is working with the parents of a seriously ill newborn.Surgery has been proposed for the infant,but the chances of success are unclear.To help the parents resolve this conflict,which steps should the nurse take to process the ethical dilemma? (Select all that apply.)

A) Identifying people who can solve this dilemma
B) Gathering all relevant information surrounding this dilemma
C) Clarifying own values and opinions about the issues
D) Consulting a professional ethicist regarding how to proceed with this dilemma
E) Considering possible courses of action

Question 15

Which behavior best indicates that the nurse is fulfilling ethical responsibilities?

A) Delivers competent care
B) Applies the scientific process
C) Forms interpersonal relationships
D) Evaluates new computerized technologies

Question 16

A nurse bases ethical decisions on the effect,or consequences,an act will have and uses the following guidelines: the greatest good for the greatest number of people.Which ethical system is the nurse using?

A) Legal
B) Deontology
C) Utilitarianism
D) Ethics of care

Question 17

A registered nurse is working on a pediatric oncology unit and caring for four children undergoing chemotherapy.Today a new nursing assistive personnel (NAP)who has passed a competency examination is assigned to the team.The nurse will delegate a portion of the fundamental nursing tasks to the NAP during the shift,but realizes that he or she is still responsible for his or her own actions and is accountable for the care.The nurse is following which principle of behavior?

A) Ethical dilemma
B) Code of ethics
C) Bioethics
D) Feminist ethics

Question 18

A 45-year-old mother of two children has cirrhosis of the liver and is on a waiting list for a liver transplant.She had to meet certain criteria to be eligible to receive a liver.She understands that she is next on the list for a donor liver that matches.This is an example of which ethical principle?

A) Autonomy
B) Justice
C) Fidelity
D) Nonmaleficence

Question 19

A 73-year-old patient with hypertension is awaiting a triple cardiac bypass surgery.The patient is hard of hearing and did not understand what the surgeon said regarding the surgery.The daughter is concerned that the patient does not understand the risks of the surgery.If not clarified,this would be a violation of what principle?

A) Autonomy
B) Justice
C) Fidelity
D) Nonmaleficence