EXAM 2: NU131/NU 131 (LATEST UPDATE
2026/2027) NURSING AND HEALTHCARE I |
QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT ANSWERS |
100 % CORRECT | GRADE A - GALEN
AT GALEN COLLEGE OF NURSING
1. What are the primary ethical responsibilities of a nurse in
professional practice?
Answer:
The primary ethical responsibilities of a nurse include patient advocacy,
accountability, and peer reporting. Nurses must communicate effectively with patients
to build trust and gather accurate information for safe care. They are accountable to
their patients, themselves, physicians, and the healthcare team. Nurses also have a
duty to report unsafe or unethical behavior to protect patient safety.
2. How does patient advocacy guide nursing practice?
Answer:
Patient advocacy means supporting and protecting a patient’s rights, preferences, and
well-being. Nurses ensure patients understand their treatment options and help them
make informed decisions. Advocacy includes speaking up if a patient’s safety is at risk.
It also involves respecting cultural beliefs and individual values in care planning.
3. What does accountability mean in nursing, and why is it
important?
Answer:
Accountability in nursing means being responsible for one’s actions and decisions in
patient care. Nurses must follow professional standards, policies, and legal guidelines.
Being accountable ensures trust between the nurse, patient, and healthcare team. It
also promotes patient safety and professional integrity.
,4. Why is peer reporting considered an ethical obligation in nursing?
Answer:
Peer reporting is required when a nurse observes unsafe, impaired, or unethical
behavior in a colleague. Reporting protects patients from potential harm. It
demonstrates commitment to professional standards and patient safety. Nurses must
follow proper reporting channels while maintaining confidentiality.
5. What is the ethical principle of nonmaleficence, and how does it
apply to nursing care?
Answer:
Nonmaleficence means “do no harm.” Nurses must use safety precautions and
evidence-based practice to prevent injury or harm. This includes proper medication
administration and infection control. Avoiding negligence and unsafe actions supports
this ethical principle.
6. How does beneficence influence nursing decision-making?
Answer:
Beneficence means acting in the best interest of the patient. Nurses provide care that
promotes health, comfort, and well-being. This includes timely interventions and
compassionate support. Beneficence requires putting the patient’s needs above
personal convenience.
7. What does the principle of autonomy require from nurses?
Answer:
Autonomy respects a patient’s right to make their own healthcare decisions. Nurses
must provide complete and understandable information. Even if a nurse disagrees
with a decision, the patient’s choice must be honored if it is informed and competent.
Respecting autonomy supports dignity and independence.
8. How is fidelity demonstrated in nursing practice?
Answer:
Fidelity means being faithful to commitments and promises made to patients. Nurses
must follow through with care and respect patient confidentiality under HIPAA laws.
, Fidelity also includes honoring advance directives. Trust is built when nurses
consistently uphold their professional duties.
9. What is informed consent, and what role does the nurse play in
it?
Answer:
Informed consent is the patient’s voluntary agreement to a procedure after receiving
full information. The physician explains risks, benefits, and alternatives. The nurse
verifies that consent was obtained and witnesses the signature. Nurses also ensure
the patient understands before proceeding.
10. What are the essential components of therapeutic
communication?
Answer:
Therapeutic communication involves active listening, empathy, and clear verbal and
nonverbal messages. Nurses must avoid judgment and interruptions. Open-ended
questions encourage patients to express concerns. Effective communication builds
trust and improves care outcomes.
11. Why is confidentiality critical in healthcare practice?
Answer:
Confidentiality protects patient privacy and personal health information. HIPAA laws
regulate the sharing of medical information. Nurses must only discuss patient
information with authorized individuals. Protecting confidentiality strengthens patient
trust.
12. What is negligence in nursing, and how can it be prevented?
Answer:
Negligence occurs when a nurse fails to provide appropriate care, resulting in harm. It
may involve medication errors or failure to monitor a patient. Prevention includes
following standards of care and double-checking procedures. Documentation and
communication also reduce risk.
2026/2027) NURSING AND HEALTHCARE I |
QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT ANSWERS |
100 % CORRECT | GRADE A - GALEN
AT GALEN COLLEGE OF NURSING
1. What are the primary ethical responsibilities of a nurse in
professional practice?
Answer:
The primary ethical responsibilities of a nurse include patient advocacy,
accountability, and peer reporting. Nurses must communicate effectively with patients
to build trust and gather accurate information for safe care. They are accountable to
their patients, themselves, physicians, and the healthcare team. Nurses also have a
duty to report unsafe or unethical behavior to protect patient safety.
2. How does patient advocacy guide nursing practice?
Answer:
Patient advocacy means supporting and protecting a patient’s rights, preferences, and
well-being. Nurses ensure patients understand their treatment options and help them
make informed decisions. Advocacy includes speaking up if a patient’s safety is at risk.
It also involves respecting cultural beliefs and individual values in care planning.
3. What does accountability mean in nursing, and why is it
important?
Answer:
Accountability in nursing means being responsible for one’s actions and decisions in
patient care. Nurses must follow professional standards, policies, and legal guidelines.
Being accountable ensures trust between the nurse, patient, and healthcare team. It
also promotes patient safety and professional integrity.
,4. Why is peer reporting considered an ethical obligation in nursing?
Answer:
Peer reporting is required when a nurse observes unsafe, impaired, or unethical
behavior in a colleague. Reporting protects patients from potential harm. It
demonstrates commitment to professional standards and patient safety. Nurses must
follow proper reporting channels while maintaining confidentiality.
5. What is the ethical principle of nonmaleficence, and how does it
apply to nursing care?
Answer:
Nonmaleficence means “do no harm.” Nurses must use safety precautions and
evidence-based practice to prevent injury or harm. This includes proper medication
administration and infection control. Avoiding negligence and unsafe actions supports
this ethical principle.
6. How does beneficence influence nursing decision-making?
Answer:
Beneficence means acting in the best interest of the patient. Nurses provide care that
promotes health, comfort, and well-being. This includes timely interventions and
compassionate support. Beneficence requires putting the patient’s needs above
personal convenience.
7. What does the principle of autonomy require from nurses?
Answer:
Autonomy respects a patient’s right to make their own healthcare decisions. Nurses
must provide complete and understandable information. Even if a nurse disagrees
with a decision, the patient’s choice must be honored if it is informed and competent.
Respecting autonomy supports dignity and independence.
8. How is fidelity demonstrated in nursing practice?
Answer:
Fidelity means being faithful to commitments and promises made to patients. Nurses
must follow through with care and respect patient confidentiality under HIPAA laws.
, Fidelity also includes honoring advance directives. Trust is built when nurses
consistently uphold their professional duties.
9. What is informed consent, and what role does the nurse play in
it?
Answer:
Informed consent is the patient’s voluntary agreement to a procedure after receiving
full information. The physician explains risks, benefits, and alternatives. The nurse
verifies that consent was obtained and witnesses the signature. Nurses also ensure
the patient understands before proceeding.
10. What are the essential components of therapeutic
communication?
Answer:
Therapeutic communication involves active listening, empathy, and clear verbal and
nonverbal messages. Nurses must avoid judgment and interruptions. Open-ended
questions encourage patients to express concerns. Effective communication builds
trust and improves care outcomes.
11. Why is confidentiality critical in healthcare practice?
Answer:
Confidentiality protects patient privacy and personal health information. HIPAA laws
regulate the sharing of medical information. Nurses must only discuss patient
information with authorized individuals. Protecting confidentiality strengthens patient
trust.
12. What is negligence in nursing, and how can it be prevented?
Answer:
Negligence occurs when a nurse fails to provide appropriate care, resulting in harm. It
may involve medication errors or failure to monitor a patient. Prevention includes
following standards of care and double-checking procedures. Documentation and
communication also reduce risk.
