Deck 3: Introduction to Ethics

Question 1

The hospital has a well-designed, fully functioning ethics committee. What ethical debate topics, concerning the entire social network rather than an individual patient, might now be addressed by this committee?

A) Do-not-resuscitate orders
B) Autonomy
C) Duplication of services
D) Informed consent
E) Effects of managed care on patient well-being

Answer 1

Duplication of services
Effects of managed care on patient well-being

Question 2

The hospital ethics committee has decided to move to the relational ethics framework for decision making. What change should the committee members expect from this framework shift?

A) Decisions made will be more practical and action oriented.
B) The number of options for discussion will be reduced.
C) Use of other ethical theories and guidelines will be eliminated.
D) The impact of the environment on the decision will be reduced.

Answer 2

Decisions made will be more practical and action oriented.

Question 3

The nurse makes practice decisions based upon each patient's unique characteristics, the relationship between the patient and the nurse, and the most humanistic course of action in the particular case circumstance. Which branch of ethics does this reflect?

A) Virtual ethics
B) Duty ethics
C) Utilitarian ethics
D) Situational ethics

Answer 3

Situational ethics

Question 4

A group of nurses wishes to improve the ethics of the care their group provides. What is the first step this group should take to reach their goal?

A) Request that all dilemmas be presented to the Hospital Ethics Committee for resolution.
B) Explore their individual values and beliefs.
C) Seek others' input rather than relying on their own ethical determinations.
D) Explore the values and beliefs of the physicians with whom they work.

Question 5

Which statements would the nurse evaluate as correctly identifying difference between ethics and law?

A) Ethics applies to conduct and actions, and the law applies to motive and attitude.
B) Ethics focuses on the individual whereas law focuses on society as a whole.
C) Ethics are externally determined.
D) Law relies heavily on judicial enforcement.
E) Ethics can change situationally, but laws are static and unchangeable.

Question 6

A nurse is frequently tardy to work causing other nurses to have to change their plans to cover the unit. The nurse never thanks those who cover for her and often criticizes the work they did in her absence. If another nurse is tardy, she refuses to stay over to cover. Which ethical theories is this nurse violating?

A) Fidelity
B) Autonomy
C) Beneficence
D) Veracity
E) Paternalism

Question 7

The nurse tells a patient that an immunization "will not hurt at all" when the nurse is aware that the injection will be painful. Which ethical principle has the nurse most clearly violated?

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

Question 8

Prior to surgery, the nurse checks to ensure that the patient has signed an informed consent form. Which ethical principle is the nurse supporting?

A) Beneficence
B) Veracity
C) Autonomy
D) Fidelity

Question 9

The hospital ethics committee has been asked to consider a controversial issue that has a significant number of persons both for and against it. Which other characteristic would the committee look for when determining if applied ethics should be used as a guide for their work?

A) The situation must concern a distinctly moral issue.
B) The situation must involve great expense to the hospital or patient.
C) The situation must involve high risk activities.
D) The situation must occur frequently.

Question 10

A patient is prescribed medication for the treatment of cancer. The nurse is concerned that administering this medication may have a harmful effect on the patient. Which conditions would help the nurse decide that it is ethical to administer the medication through the application of the concept of double effect?

A) The medication has been proven effective in the treatment of cancer.
B) The nurse is administering the medication to achieve treatment of the cancer.
C) The harmful effect must not occur in order for the medication to be successful in treating the cancer.
D) The benefits of using this medication are more likely to occur than are the undesired actions of the medication.
E) The patient must agree to accept the possibility of undesired effects of the medication.

Question 11

Which nursing actions would exemplify cardinal virtues as seen by Plato and other virtue ethicists?

A) The nurse has developed the reputation of making wise decisions.
B) The nurse advocated for the patient's right to autonomy against a physician who is paternalistic.
C) When asked to work overtime shifts, the nurse always complies.
D) The nurse always puts the good of the unit before personal well-being.
E) The nurse treats all people working on the unit fairly and equally.

Question 12

The nurse advises a patient to have surgery because, "The doctor knows what is best for you." The nurse is most likely following which ethical principle?

A) Respect for others
B) Paternalism
C) Justice
D) Fidelity

Question 13

An ethical dilemma has arisen in regard to a patient who has been declared incompetent and who left no advance directive. Which model is likely to be of best use to the ethics committee reviewing the case?

A) Autonomy
B) Patient justice
C) Patient benefit
D) Social justice

Question 14

The nurse bases individual nursing practice upon commitment to quality patient care and understanding of the nursing role. Under which broad classification of ethical theory does this fall?

A) Applied theories
B) Utilitarian theories
C) Deontological theories
D) Teleological theories

Question 15

The hospital is forming an ethics committee. Which concept should be central to that committee's function?

A) Most of the committee's work should involve short-term ethical issues.
B) The overriding concern of the committee should be protection of the hospital.
C) Members should be limited to medical staff.
D) The committee should act to provide guidelines for potential problems.