Nursing Ethics and Professionalism > Fundamentals
Exam Review
Nursing Ethics
Total Questions : 5
Showing 5 questions, Sign in for moreA nurse is caring for a patient who has expressed a desire to end their life. According to nursing ethics,
What action should the nurse take?
Explanation
Notify the healthcare provider and seek guidance on the appropriate course of action.
In nursing ethics, the preservation of life and the duty to protect the patient's well-being are paramount. When a patient expresses a desire to end their life, the nurse should notify the healthcare provider and seek guidance on how to address the situation. This ensures that the appropriate ethical and legal considerations are followed in supporting the patient's well-being.
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Option a goes against the principle of preserving life and disregards the potential risks and consequences of assisted suicide.
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Option c emphasizes autonomy, but it should be balanced with the nurse's responsibility to protect life and provide appropriate care.
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Option d may be appropriate in certain situations, but the immediate concern is to ensure the patient's safety and involve the healthcare provider.
A nurse overhears colleagues discussing confidential patient information outside of the designated patient care areas.
What action should the nurse take based on nursing ethics?
Explanation
Politely remind colleagues to respect patient confidentiality and discuss the matter privately.
Nursing ethics emphasizes the importance of maintaining patient confidentiality and privacy. In this situation, the nurse should address the issue by politely reminding colleagues to respect patient confidentiality and suggest discussing the matter in a private setting. This promotes ethical conduct and ensures the protection of patient information.
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Option a contributes to the breach of patient confidentiality and is not aligned with ethical principles.
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Option b disregards the responsibility to uphold ethical standards and protect patient privacy.
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Option d may be necessary in cases of repeated or severe breaches, but the first step is to address the issue directly with colleagues.
A nurse is caring for a patient who refuses a blood transfusion based on religious beliefs. According to nursing ethics, what is the nurse's responsibility?
Explanation
Respect the patient's autonomy and honor their decision.
In nursing ethics, respecting a patient's autonomy and honoring their right to make decisions about their own healthcare is crucial. If a patient refuses a blood transfusion based on religious beliefs, the nurse's responsibility is to respect their decision and provide alternative treatments or interventions that align with the patient's beliefs and values.
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Option b provides information, which can be appropriate, but overriding the patient's refusal would violate their autonomy.
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Option c should only be considered if there are legal or ethical grounds for overriding the patient's refusal, which should be determined by appropriate authorities.
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Option d disregards the patient's autonomy and promotes paternalistic behavior, which is contrary to nursing ethics.
A nurse witnesses a coworker taking controlled substances from the medication cart without proper documentation. According to nursing ethics, what action should the nurse take?
Explanation
Report the incident to the nurse manager or appropriate authority.
Nursing ethics require nurses to uphold professional standards and report any unethical or illegal activities observed in the workplace. Witnessing a coworker taking controlled substances without proper documentation is a serious breach of ethical and legal standards. The nurse's responsibility is to report the incident to the appropriate authority, such as the nurse manager or a designated reporting mechanism, to ensure patient safety and maintain the integrity of the profession.
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Option a may not be appropriate or effective, as it can potentially escalate the situation and compromise the nurse's own safety.
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Option b disregards the responsibility to promote patient safety and maintain professional integrity.
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Option d assumes the nurse has the ability to convince the coworker to change their behavior, which may not be realistic or within the nurse's role.
A nurse is caring for a patient who has made racist remarks towards a fellow patient. According to nursing ethics, what action should the nurse take?
Explanation
Inform the healthcare provider and seek guidance on addressing the situation.
Nursing ethics require nurses to promote a safe and inclusive environment for all patients. Racist remarks are not only disrespectful but can also contribute to the deterioration of patient well-being and trust within the healthcare setting. The nurse should inform the healthcare provider or an appropriate authority to address the situation appropriately, ensuring that patient rights are respected while promoting a culture of respect and inclusivity.
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Option a disregards the responsibility to promote a safe and respectful environment and can potentially enable discriminatory behavior.
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Option b may not be the most effective approach, as confronting the patient directly may escalate the situation or compromise the nurse's own safety.
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Option d misinterprets the concept of freedom of expression, as it does not extend to discriminatory or harmful speech in healthcare settings.
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