Ethical & Legal Issues in Psychiatric/Mental Health
Nursing Exam Questions with Correct Solutions
Verified by Expert
In response to a student's question regarding choosing a psychiatric specialty, a charge nurse states,
"Mentally ill clients need special care. If I were in that position, I'd want a caring nurse also." From which
ethical framework is the charge nurse operating?
A. Kantianism
B. Christian ethics
C. Ethical egoism
D. Utilitarianism - Answer ANS: B
The charge nurse is operating from a Christian ethics framework. The imperative demand of Christian
ethics is to treat others as moral equals by permitting them to act as we do when they occupy a position
similar to ours. Kantianism states that decisions should be made based on moral law and that actions
are bound by a sense of moral duty. Utilitarianism holds that decisions should be made focusing on the
end result being happiness. Ethical egoism promotes the idea that what is right is good for the
individual.
During a hiring interview, which response by a nursing applicant should indicate that the applicant
operates from an ethical egoism framework?
A. "I would want to be treated in a caring manner if I were mentally ill."
B. "This job will pay the bills, and the workload is light enough for me."
C. "I will be happy caring for the mentally ill. Working in Med/Surg kills my back."
D. "It is my duty in life to be a psychiatric nurse. It is the right thing to do." - Answer ANS: B
The applicant's comment reflects an ethical egoism framework. This framework promotes the idea that
decisions are made based on what is good for the individual and may not take the needs of others into
account.
Without authorization, a nurse administers an extra dose of narcotic tranquilizer to an agitated client.
The nurse's coworker observes this action but does nothing for fear of repercussion. What is the ethical
interpretation of the coworker's lack of involvement?
, A. Taking no action is still considered an unethical action by the coworker.
B. Taking no action releases the coworker from ethical responsibility.
C. Taking no action is advised when potential adverse consequences are foreseen.
D. Taking no action is acceptable because the coworker is only a bystander. - Answer ANS: A
The coworker's lack of involvement can be interpreted as an unethical action. The coworker is
experiencing an ethical dilemma in which a decision needs to be made between two unfavorable
alternatives. The coworker has a responsibility to report any observed unethical actions.
Group therapy is strongly encouraged, but not mandatory, on an inpatient psychiatric unit. The unit
manager's policy is that clients can make a choice about whether or not to attend group therapy. Which
ethical principle does the unit manager's policy preserve?
A. Justice
B. Autonomy
C. Veracity
D. Beneficence - Answer ANS: B
The unit manager's policy regarding voluntary client participation in group therapy preserves the ethical
principle of autonomy. The principle of autonomy presumes that individuals are capable of making
independent decisions for themselves and that health-care workers must respect these decisions.
Which is an example of an intentional tort?
A. A nurse fails to assess a client's obvious symptoms of neuroleptic malignant syndrome.
B. A nurse physically places an irritating client in four-point restraints.
C. A nurse makes a medication error and does not report the incident.
D. A nurse gives patient information to an unauthorized person. - Answer ANS: B
A tort is a violation of civil law in which an individual has been wronged and can be intentional or
unintentional. A nurse who physically places an irritating client in restraints has touched the client
without consent and has committed an intentional tort.
Nursing Exam Questions with Correct Solutions
Verified by Expert
In response to a student's question regarding choosing a psychiatric specialty, a charge nurse states,
"Mentally ill clients need special care. If I were in that position, I'd want a caring nurse also." From which
ethical framework is the charge nurse operating?
A. Kantianism
B. Christian ethics
C. Ethical egoism
D. Utilitarianism - Answer ANS: B
The charge nurse is operating from a Christian ethics framework. The imperative demand of Christian
ethics is to treat others as moral equals by permitting them to act as we do when they occupy a position
similar to ours. Kantianism states that decisions should be made based on moral law and that actions
are bound by a sense of moral duty. Utilitarianism holds that decisions should be made focusing on the
end result being happiness. Ethical egoism promotes the idea that what is right is good for the
individual.
During a hiring interview, which response by a nursing applicant should indicate that the applicant
operates from an ethical egoism framework?
A. "I would want to be treated in a caring manner if I were mentally ill."
B. "This job will pay the bills, and the workload is light enough for me."
C. "I will be happy caring for the mentally ill. Working in Med/Surg kills my back."
D. "It is my duty in life to be a psychiatric nurse. It is the right thing to do." - Answer ANS: B
The applicant's comment reflects an ethical egoism framework. This framework promotes the idea that
decisions are made based on what is good for the individual and may not take the needs of others into
account.
Without authorization, a nurse administers an extra dose of narcotic tranquilizer to an agitated client.
The nurse's coworker observes this action but does nothing for fear of repercussion. What is the ethical
interpretation of the coworker's lack of involvement?
, A. Taking no action is still considered an unethical action by the coworker.
B. Taking no action releases the coworker from ethical responsibility.
C. Taking no action is advised when potential adverse consequences are foreseen.
D. Taking no action is acceptable because the coworker is only a bystander. - Answer ANS: A
The coworker's lack of involvement can be interpreted as an unethical action. The coworker is
experiencing an ethical dilemma in which a decision needs to be made between two unfavorable
alternatives. The coworker has a responsibility to report any observed unethical actions.
Group therapy is strongly encouraged, but not mandatory, on an inpatient psychiatric unit. The unit
manager's policy is that clients can make a choice about whether or not to attend group therapy. Which
ethical principle does the unit manager's policy preserve?
A. Justice
B. Autonomy
C. Veracity
D. Beneficence - Answer ANS: B
The unit manager's policy regarding voluntary client participation in group therapy preserves the ethical
principle of autonomy. The principle of autonomy presumes that individuals are capable of making
independent decisions for themselves and that health-care workers must respect these decisions.
Which is an example of an intentional tort?
A. A nurse fails to assess a client's obvious symptoms of neuroleptic malignant syndrome.
B. A nurse physically places an irritating client in four-point restraints.
C. A nurse makes a medication error and does not report the incident.
D. A nurse gives patient information to an unauthorized person. - Answer ANS: B
A tort is a violation of civil law in which an individual has been wronged and can be intentional or
unintentional. A nurse who physically places an irritating client in restraints has touched the client
without consent and has committed an intentional tort.
