Nursing Ethics and Professionalism > Fundamentals
Exam Review
Introduction to Nursing Ethics and Professionalism
Total Questions : 5
Showing 5 questions, Sign in for moreA nurse is caring for a client who has expressed a desire to refuse treatment.
What is the nurse’s ethical responsibility in this situation?
Explanation
The nurse should respect the client’s autonomy and right to refuse treatment.
Explanation: Autonomy is a fundamental principle of nursing ethics, which means that clients have the right to make decisions about their own care, including refusing treatment. The nurse’s ethical responsibility is to respect the client’s autonomy and support their right to make informed decisions about their care.
Incorrect answers:
b. Convincing the client to accept treatment against their wishes would violate their autonomy and right to make decisions about their own care.
c. Administering treatment against the client’s wishes would violate their autonomy and right to refuse treatment.
d. Ignoring the client’s wishes and following the physician’s orders would violate their autonomy and right to make decisions about their own care.
A nurse is caring for a terminally ill client who is experiencing severe pain. The client’s physician has prescribed a dose of pain medication that the nurse believes is inadequate.
What should the nurse do?
Explanation
Consult with the physician and advocate for an increased dose.
Explanation: The nurse has an ethical responsibility to advocate for their client’s well-being, including ensuring that they receive adequate pain management. In this situation, the nurse should consult with the physician and advocate for an increased dose of pain medication to provide effective pain relief for their client.
Incorrect answers:
a. Administering the prescribed dose without advocating for an increased dose may not provide effective pain relief for the client.
b. Administering a higher dose than prescribed without consulting with the physician could be unsafe and could potentially harm the client.
c. Refusing to administer medication and leaving the client in pain would violate their right to receive adequate pain management.
A nurse is caring for a client who has expressed religious beliefs that conflict with their medical treatment plan.
What should the nurse do?
Explanation
Respect the client’s beliefs and work with them to find an acceptable compromise.
Explanation: Nurses have an ethical responsibility to provide culturally competent care, which includes respecting their clients’ religious beliefs and values. In this situation, the nurse should work with the client to find a compromise that respects their beliefs while also providing effective medical care.
Incorrect answers:
a. Disregarding the client’s beliefs would violate their right to receive culturally competent care that respects their values.
b. Attempting to convince the client to abandon their beliefs would violate their autonomy and right to make decisions about their own care based on their values.
d. Refusing to provide care due to a client’s beliefs would be discriminatory and would violate their right to receive equitable care.
A nurse is caring for a client who has requested information about their prognosis that the physician has not yet discussed with them.
What should be done?
Explanation
Provide accurate information
Explanation:Nurses have an ethical responsibility of veracity which means they must provide accurate information even when it may be difficult or distressing.In this situation,the nurse should provide accurate information about prognosis while also providing emotional support.
Incorrect answers:
a.Providing false or misleading information violates veracity
b.Refusing information violates patient autonomy
d.Avoiding discussion altogether violates patient autonomy
A nurse discovers that a colleague has made a medication error.
What is appropriate action?
Explanation
Report error immediately
Explanation:Nurses have an ethical responsibility of non-maleficence which means they must prevent harm.In this situation,the appropriate action would be reporting error immediately so that any potential harm can be prevented or minimized.
Incorrect answers:
b.Confronting colleague privately does not ensure patient safety
c.Ignoring error violates non-maleficence
d.Covering up error violates non-maleficence and veracity
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