Exam Bank
SAUNDERS NCLEX-PN LEGAL & ETHICAL PRINCIPLES: 50 HIGH-
YIELD PRACTICE QUESTIONS WITH RATIONALES – 9TH EDITION
TEST BANK
Author: Linda Anne Silvestri PhD RN ANEF FAAN
Legal & Ethical Principles – Questions 1–50
1. Which of the following is the best definition of malpractice?
A. A mistake in medication dosage
B. Professional negligence that results in harm ✅
C. Disagreement with a physician
D. Failure to document
Rationale: Malpractice occurs when a professional fails to provide standard care, resulting in
patient harm.
2. Which ethical principle emphasizes doing no harm?
A. Beneficence
B. Nonmaleficence ✅
C. Justice
D. Autonomy
Rationale: Nonmaleficence obligates nurses to avoid causing harm.
3. A nurse discusses patient information with a friend. Which legal principle is violated?
A. Informed consent
B. Confidentiality ✅
C. Beneficence
D. Accountability
Rationale: Patient information is confidential and must not be shared without authorization.
4. What is informed consent?
A. Patient agrees verbally to all treatments
B. Patient is fully informed about risks, benefits, and alternatives and gives voluntary agreement
, Exam Bank
✅
C. Physician signs on patient’s behalf
D. Patient is told only what is necessary
Rationale: Informed consent ensures patient autonomy and legal protection.
5. Which statement describes assault in a healthcare setting?
A. Physically harming a patient
B. Threatening or attempting to harm a patient ✅
C. Failing to administer medication
D. Negligent documentation
Rationale: Assault is a threat or attempt to injure, even without physical contact.
6. Which of the following describes battery?
A. Verbal threat
B. Physical contact without consent ✅
C. Patient refusing treatment
D. Inadequate documentation
Rationale: Battery involves unlawful touching without consent.
7. Which ethical principle supports patient self-determination?
A. Justice
B. Autonomy ✅
C. Fidelity
D. Beneficence
Rationale: Autonomy allows patients to make their own healthcare decisions.
8. A nurse refuses to perform a procedure that conflicts with personal beliefs. What
principle applies?
A. Nonmaleficence
B. Ethical dilemma ✅
C. Beneficence
D. Malpractice
Rationale: An ethical dilemma arises when two moral principles conflict.
SAUNDERS NCLEX-PN LEGAL & ETHICAL PRINCIPLES: 50 HIGH-
YIELD PRACTICE QUESTIONS WITH RATIONALES – 9TH EDITION
TEST BANK
Author: Linda Anne Silvestri PhD RN ANEF FAAN
Legal & Ethical Principles – Questions 1–50
1. Which of the following is the best definition of malpractice?
A. A mistake in medication dosage
B. Professional negligence that results in harm ✅
C. Disagreement with a physician
D. Failure to document
Rationale: Malpractice occurs when a professional fails to provide standard care, resulting in
patient harm.
2. Which ethical principle emphasizes doing no harm?
A. Beneficence
B. Nonmaleficence ✅
C. Justice
D. Autonomy
Rationale: Nonmaleficence obligates nurses to avoid causing harm.
3. A nurse discusses patient information with a friend. Which legal principle is violated?
A. Informed consent
B. Confidentiality ✅
C. Beneficence
D. Accountability
Rationale: Patient information is confidential and must not be shared without authorization.
4. What is informed consent?
A. Patient agrees verbally to all treatments
B. Patient is fully informed about risks, benefits, and alternatives and gives voluntary agreement
, Exam Bank
✅
C. Physician signs on patient’s behalf
D. Patient is told only what is necessary
Rationale: Informed consent ensures patient autonomy and legal protection.
5. Which statement describes assault in a healthcare setting?
A. Physically harming a patient
B. Threatening or attempting to harm a patient ✅
C. Failing to administer medication
D. Negligent documentation
Rationale: Assault is a threat or attempt to injure, even without physical contact.
6. Which of the following describes battery?
A. Verbal threat
B. Physical contact without consent ✅
C. Patient refusing treatment
D. Inadequate documentation
Rationale: Battery involves unlawful touching without consent.
7. Which ethical principle supports patient self-determination?
A. Justice
B. Autonomy ✅
C. Fidelity
D. Beneficence
Rationale: Autonomy allows patients to make their own healthcare decisions.
8. A nurse refuses to perform a procedure that conflicts with personal beliefs. What
principle applies?
A. Nonmaleficence
B. Ethical dilemma ✅
C. Beneficence
D. Malpractice
Rationale: An ethical dilemma arises when two moral principles conflict.
