Deck 1: An Introduction to the Ethics and the Law: a Perspective for Nurses

Question 1

A resident in long-term has been deteriorating for a number of days. His daughter has been with him most of the time and is exhausted. The nurse encourages her to go home to get some rest. A few hours later, it becomes clear to the staff that death is imminent. Appreciating how exhausted the daughter is, the nurse is justified in not disturbing her.

Answer 1

False

Question 2

What existing legislation has been influenced by the shifting of Canadian values over time?

A) The abolition of capital punishment
B) Privacy
C) Medical Assistance in Dying
D) All are correct

Answer 2

All are correct

Question 3

A nurse is justified in accessing the chart of a friend who is a patient on another unit because she is aware of her friend's serious allergy to antibiotics and wants to make sure this is documented.

Answer 3

False

Question 4

The field of ethics is gaining greater prominence, in part, because of the growing sophistication of science and technology.

Question 5

Which of the following mandates that nurses have a basic understanding of the Canadian legal system?

A) Provincial and federal nursing bodies
B) The Supreme Court of Canada
C) Provincial nursing labor unions
D) The Drug and Pharmacies Regulation Act, 1990

Question 6

Why must nurses be familiar with the legal system?

A) Some nursing actions are governed by the law.
B) Nurses' decisions may not be supported by the law.
C) Nurses are sometimes at risk for litigation.
D) All are correct.

Question 7

In addition to having obligations to clients, nurses also have rights regarding what they can expect as professionals.

Question 8

Through the Canada Health Act, the federal government is given authority over health care in Canada.

Question 9

Identify one of the reasons why nurses need to have an understanding of ethics.

A) Nurses do not share the same perspectives regarding health care with other health care professionals.
B) Morality and care are at the heart of nursing practice.
C) Ethics provides a clear answer to nurses regarding the correct course of action.
D) Convincing family members of compassionate courses of action is best done by nurses.

Question 10

Why is it advantageous for nurses to have knowledge of ethical theories and principles?

A) Ethical theories encourage nurses to critique others' points of view.
B) Nurses are able to justify and defend their positions on a situation.
C) Ethical theories help nurses explain to the rest of the team why nurses have a greater understanding of the patient's perspective.
D) This knowledge allows nurses to convince patients to choose comfort measures only.