Deck 4: Ethical Issues

Question 1

Which statement best describes ethics?

A) How our lives and relationships are led in our reality
B) How people make decisions they see as legally and morally appropriate
C) The conflict, power, and interdependency associated with the way we live
D) What our conduct and actions should be regarding what is right and good

Answer 1

What our conduct and actions should be regarding what is right and good

Question 2

What is an ethical dilemma?

A) A problem that can be solved using empirical data
B) A situation that has clearly delineated facts for decision making
C) A problem that when handled effectively has a mutually agreed-upon solution
D) A situation that requires choosing between two or more undesirable alternatives

Answer 2

A situation that requires choosing between two or more undesirable alternatives

Question 3

The practice of allocating organs for transplantation based on a person's "worth to society" is an example of what ethical principle for decision making?

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

Answer 3

Justice

Question 4

The only treatment alternative left for a patient diagnosed with advanced cancer is a rare, highly experimental bone marrow transfusion with a 10% success rate. The insurance company refuses to authorize payment for the $200,000 procedure, arguing that the money could be better spent providing well-baby screening for 2,000 residents in the service area. What does this decision by the insurance company reflect?

A) Unethical conduct
B) Maleficence
C) Paternalism
D) Utility

Question 5

Which statement regarding the MORAL decision-making model is true?

A) It is a problem-solving model
B) It does not include an evaluation step
C) The identification and analysis of multiple alternatives for action is required
D) The decision is arrived upon with only the involvement of the decision maker

Question 6

Which ethical framework would most likely be used to arrive at the nurse's decision to work overtime in spite of previous social plans?

A) Utilitarianism
B) Duty based
C) Rights based
D) Intuitionism

Question 7

What is the role of the American Nurses Association Code of Ethics and Interpretive Statements?

A) Outlines minimum levels of ethical behavior that nurses must maintain
B) Functions as a guide to the highest standards of ethical practice for nurses
C) Is a legally binding document that directs a nurse's ethical and moral behavior
D) Mandates the ethical behavior prerequisite for maintaining a nursing licensure

Question 8

Which statement regarding ethical decision making is true?

A) Outcomes are the basic criterion for evaluating ethical decision making
B) Only desirable alternatives are identified when solving ethical dilemmas
C) Critical ethical decisions are made quickly so the situation does not worsen
D) Accepting some ambiguity and uncertainty are a part of ethical decision making

Question 9

Which ethical framework involves an individualized decision-making framework?

A) Duty based
B) Rights based
C) Utilitarian
D) Intuitionist

Question 10

What does the morale principle of autonomy govern?

A) A person's right to make his or her own decision
B) The obligation to do good and prevent harm
C) Doing what is right and fair
D) Truth telling

Question 11

Protecting patient confidentiality respects the client's right to

A) self-esteem
B) self-defense
C) self-determination
D) self-incrimination

Question 12

Much of the difficulty people have in making ethical decisions results from a lack of formal education about problem solving. Research at the University of Pennsylvania found what percentage of the nurses and social workers reported having no ethics training?

A) 15
B) 20
C) 25
D) 30

Question 13

Which factor should be considered when assessing the quality of ethical problem solving? Select all that apply.

A) Outcomes
B) Decision-making process
C) Multiple alternatives
D) Data gathering

Question 14

Collecting data about the ethical problem and identifying who should be involved in the decision-making process is accomplished in which phase of the MORAL
Decision-making model?

A) Massage the dilemma
B) Outline options
C) Review criteria and res olve
D) Affirm position and act

Question 15

Which statement is correct regarding the distinction between legal and ethical obligations in decision making?

A) Ethical controls are clearer and philosophically impartial
B) Ethical controls are much clearer and individualized
C) Legal controls are clearer and philosophically impartial
D) Legal controls are much less clear and individualized

Question 16

Which member of the health-care team is often placed in situations where they are expected to be agents for patients, physicians, and the organization simultaneously, all of which may have conflicting wants and goals?

A) Physicians
B) Nurses
C) Nurse practitioners
D) Social workers

Question 17

To make appropriate ethical decisions the nurse-manager must have knowledge of what items to assist in making decisions? Select all that apply: 1, 2, 3, 4.

A) Organizational processes 1, 2
B) Proven decision-making models 1, 2, and 3
C) Professional approach that eliminates trial and error
D) Ethical principles and frameworks

Question 18

Using both a systematic approach and proven ethical tools and technology allows managers to make better decisions and increases the probability that they will feel confident about the decisions they have made. Leadership roles and management functions are involved in management ethics. What is an example of a leadership role?

A) Uses a systematic approach to problem solving and decision making when faced with management problems with ethical ramifications
B) Identifies outcomes in ethical decision making that should always be sought or avoided
C) Uses established ethical frameworks to clarify values and beliefs
D) Role models ethical decision making, which is congruent with the American Nurses Association Code of Ethics and Interpretive Statements and Professional standard

Question 19

Using both a systematic appro ach and proven ethical tools and technology allows managers to make better decisions and increases the probability that they will feel confident about the decisions they have made. Leadership roles and management functions are involved in management ethics. What is an example of a management function?

A) Is self-aware regarding own values and basic beliefs about the rights, duties, and goals of human beings
B) Accepts that some ambiguity and uncertainty must be a part of all ethical decision making
C) Accepts that negative outcomes occur in ethical decision making despite high-quality problem solving and decision making
D) Identifies outcomes in ethical decision making that should always be sought or avoided

Question 20

There are many terms used to describe moral issues faced by nurses, including moral uncertainty, moral conflict, moral distress, moral outrage, and ethical dilemmas. Which statement describes how moral uncertainty occurs?

A) Occurs when an individual is unsure which moral principles or values apply and may even include uncertainty as to what the moral problem is
B) Occurs when the individual knows the right thing to do but organizational constraints make it difficult to take the right course of action
C) Occurs when an individual witnesses the immoral act of another but feels powerless to stop it
D) Occurs when being forced to choose between two or more undesirable alternatives

Question 21

Which characteristic of an organization has influence on the ethical decisions its managers' make? Select all that apply.

A) Purpose
B) Societal role
C) Societal constraints
D) Values

Question 22

Which ethical principle associated with an adult child is legally given the right to make medical decisions for a cognitively impaired parent?

A) Justice
B) Fidelity
C) Paternalism
D) Beneficence

Question 23

Which term is used to identify a person's feelings of powerlessness to stop unethical behavior in another person or institution?

A) Moral conflict
B) Moral outrage
C) Ethical relativism
D) Ethical universalism

Question 24

Which statement concerning autonomy and the employee is true? Select all that apply.

A) It is a form of personal liberty
B) Its legal equivalent is self determination
C) It is based on a person's right to make a choice
D) It is supported by the process of progressive employee discipline

Question 25

Which activity best demonstrates a nursing unit manager's attention to the ethics standards of practice required of that position?

A) Membership on the institution's ethic board
B) Terminates a staff member for absenteeism
C) Assures staff and patien ts that unit decisions are ethically sound
D) Holds membership in the local and state American Nurses Association (ANA)