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Fundamentals: Principles Questions and
Answers Latest Update
What does the States Boards of Nursing (BON) do? Ans: Manage nursing
licensure, testing requirements, and nursing education program standards.
What is the Nursing Practice Act (NPA)? Ans: Document that defines the
nursing scope of practice in each state.
Might be differ in each state.
What is evidence-based practice (EBP)? Ans: Using the best evidence from
research to guide nursing practice.
What does the American Nurses Association (ANA) do? Ans: Establishes
ethical standards for nursing.
What is an ethical dilemma? Ans: A situation that includes conflicting values
that can cause distress or controversy.
What is the Ethics Committee? Ans: Interdisciplinary team that provides
guidance and mediation when a decision must be made.
Provides recommendations but cannot impose decisions.
What are the ethical principles? Ans: Autonomy - Patient's right to make
their own healthcare decisions.
Beneficence - To do good.
Nonmaleficence - Do no harm.
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Justice - Treat fairly and equally.
Fidelity - To be faithful/loyal.
Advocacy - Promote/protect the patient's rights and health.
Veracity - To be truthful.
What is informed consent? Ans: Process that confirms a patient's voluntary
decision to undergo a procedure or intervention.
What is the provider's role in informed consent? Ans: Explains the
procedure and risks and benefits.
Explains any/all alternatives.
Assesses the patient's understanding and answers all patient questions.
What is the nurse's role in informed consent? Ans: Sign consent form as a
witness.
Confirm patient received and understands the information.
Ensure patient is competent to give consent voluntarily.
In what situations can minors give consent to treatment? Ans: Emancipated
Married
In the military
Requires mental health, substance abuse, or STI treatment.
If a patient has questions regarding a procedure, who can answer them?
Ans: The provider only.
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How must consent be obtained from a patient that does not speak English?
Ans: A medical interpreter must be available to translate.
If a patient changes their mind after giving consent, what can be done? Ans:
Patient has the right to change their mind and refuse treatment, even after
giving consent.
What is the right to refuse? Ans: Competent patient has the right to refuse
medication/treatment/procedures.
This applies even if the patient was admitted involuntarily.
What is leaving against medical advice (AMA)? Ans: Patient chooses to leave
the hospital before the recommended time.
What should the nurse do in the case of an AMA patient? Ans: Notify the
provider.
Discuss risks that come with leaving AMA.
Have patient sign AMA form (or document refusal).
Remove any indwelling devices.
What are advance directives? Ans: Legal documents that communicate
preferences regarding medical care if patient is unable to communicate
themselves.
What is the Patient Self-Determination Act (PSDA)? Ans: Ensures patient's
right to self-determination in healthcare decisions.
What is a living will? Ans: Indicates desired or prohibited medical
interventions.
What is a do not resuscitate (DNR) order? Ans: No CPR or resuscitation
actions should be taken.
© 2025 All rights reserved
Fundamentals: Principles Questions and
Answers Latest Update
What does the States Boards of Nursing (BON) do? Ans: Manage nursing
licensure, testing requirements, and nursing education program standards.
What is the Nursing Practice Act (NPA)? Ans: Document that defines the
nursing scope of practice in each state.
Might be differ in each state.
What is evidence-based practice (EBP)? Ans: Using the best evidence from
research to guide nursing practice.
What does the American Nurses Association (ANA) do? Ans: Establishes
ethical standards for nursing.
What is an ethical dilemma? Ans: A situation that includes conflicting values
that can cause distress or controversy.
What is the Ethics Committee? Ans: Interdisciplinary team that provides
guidance and mediation when a decision must be made.
Provides recommendations but cannot impose decisions.
What are the ethical principles? Ans: Autonomy - Patient's right to make
their own healthcare decisions.
Beneficence - To do good.
Nonmaleficence - Do no harm.
© 2025 All rights reserved
, 2 | Page
Justice - Treat fairly and equally.
Fidelity - To be faithful/loyal.
Advocacy - Promote/protect the patient's rights and health.
Veracity - To be truthful.
What is informed consent? Ans: Process that confirms a patient's voluntary
decision to undergo a procedure or intervention.
What is the provider's role in informed consent? Ans: Explains the
procedure and risks and benefits.
Explains any/all alternatives.
Assesses the patient's understanding and answers all patient questions.
What is the nurse's role in informed consent? Ans: Sign consent form as a
witness.
Confirm patient received and understands the information.
Ensure patient is competent to give consent voluntarily.
In what situations can minors give consent to treatment? Ans: Emancipated
Married
In the military
Requires mental health, substance abuse, or STI treatment.
If a patient has questions regarding a procedure, who can answer them?
Ans: The provider only.
© 2025 All rights reserved
, 3 | Page
How must consent be obtained from a patient that does not speak English?
Ans: A medical interpreter must be available to translate.
If a patient changes their mind after giving consent, what can be done? Ans:
Patient has the right to change their mind and refuse treatment, even after
giving consent.
What is the right to refuse? Ans: Competent patient has the right to refuse
medication/treatment/procedures.
This applies even if the patient was admitted involuntarily.
What is leaving against medical advice (AMA)? Ans: Patient chooses to leave
the hospital before the recommended time.
What should the nurse do in the case of an AMA patient? Ans: Notify the
provider.
Discuss risks that come with leaving AMA.
Have patient sign AMA form (or document refusal).
Remove any indwelling devices.
What are advance directives? Ans: Legal documents that communicate
preferences regarding medical care if patient is unable to communicate
themselves.
What is the Patient Self-Determination Act (PSDA)? Ans: Ensures patient's
right to self-determination in healthcare decisions.
What is a living will? Ans: Indicates desired or prohibited medical
interventions.
What is a do not resuscitate (DNR) order? Ans: No CPR or resuscitation
actions should be taken.
© 2025 All rights reserved
