NURS 110 | Introduction to Professional Nursing | Module Exam 3
2026 |WCU
1. A nurse is faced with an ethical dilemma where a patient’s family refuses to
disclose a terminal diagnosis to the patient. Which ethical principle is primarily
challenged if the nurse chooses to follow the family’s wishes?
A. Non-maleficence
B. Autonomy
C. Fidelity
D. Justice
Answer: B
Rationale: Autonomy refers to the patient’s right to make their own informed decisions. By
withholding information, the nurse prevents the patient from exercising self-
determination.
2. Which element is essential for a plaintiff to prove a case of professional
negligence (malpractice) against a nurse?
A. A written contract of care
B. A breach of duty occurred that directly caused injury
C. The nurse intended to cause harm
D. The patient was unhappy with the outcome
Answer: B
Rationale: Malpractice requires proving four elements: duty, breach of duty, causation,
and damages. Intent is not required for negligence.
,3. A nurse administers a medication to a patient who has refused it, claiming it
is for the patient’s own good. This action could be legally classified as:
A. Assault
B. Battery
C. Negligence
D. Libel
Answer: B
Rationale: Battery is the intentional and non-consensual touching of another person.
Administering treatment against a competent patient’s refusal constitutes battery.
4. In the SBAR communication tool, which information belongs in the
‘Background’ section?
A. The patient’s current vital signs and mental status
B. A brief summary of the patient’s medical history and admitting diagnosis
C. The nurse’s assessment of the current situation
D. Specific requests for immediate intervention
Answer: B
Rationale: The ‘Background’ section provides context, including the admitting diagnosis,
date of admission, and pertinent medical history.
5. When applying the principle of Justice in nursing, which action is most
appropriate?
A. Spending more time with a patient who is more likable
B. Allowing the patient to choose their own physician
C. Ensuring that all patients receive exactly 15 minutes of attention every hour
D. Allocating resources and care based on patient needs regardless of social status
Answer: D
Rationale: Justice in healthcare refers to fairness in the distribution of resources and
treatment, ensuring patients are treated according to their needs.
, 6. A nurse delegates the task of monitoring vital signs for a stable post-
operative patient to an Unlicensed Assistive Personnel (UAP). Which ‘Right of
Delegation’ is primarily being exercised?
A. Right Task
B. Right Person
C. Right Supervision
D. Right Direction
Answer: A
Rationale: The Right Task involves determining if the specific task is appropriate to
delegate based on the complexity and the staff’s scope of practice.
7. Which of the following describes the ethical theory of Deontology?
A. The rightness of an action is determined by its consequences
B. Decisions should be based on the greatest good for the greatest number
C. The focus is on the character of the person performing the action
D. Actions are right or wrong based on their adherence to rules and duties
Answer: D
Rationale: Deontology is a formalistic system that defines actions as right or wrong based
on objective principles and duties, independent of the outcome.
8. The Nurse Practice Act is primarily designed to:
A. Protect the nurse’s right to employment
B. Protect the public by defining the scope of nursing practice
C. Set the national standard for nursing education
D. Mandate the salary scales for registered nurses
Answer: B
Rationale: Nurse Practice Acts are state laws that define the scope of practice to ensure
that the public is protected from unsafe practitioners.
2026 |WCU
1. A nurse is faced with an ethical dilemma where a patient’s family refuses to
disclose a terminal diagnosis to the patient. Which ethical principle is primarily
challenged if the nurse chooses to follow the family’s wishes?
A. Non-maleficence
B. Autonomy
C. Fidelity
D. Justice
Answer: B
Rationale: Autonomy refers to the patient’s right to make their own informed decisions. By
withholding information, the nurse prevents the patient from exercising self-
determination.
2. Which element is essential for a plaintiff to prove a case of professional
negligence (malpractice) against a nurse?
A. A written contract of care
B. A breach of duty occurred that directly caused injury
C. The nurse intended to cause harm
D. The patient was unhappy with the outcome
Answer: B
Rationale: Malpractice requires proving four elements: duty, breach of duty, causation,
and damages. Intent is not required for negligence.
,3. A nurse administers a medication to a patient who has refused it, claiming it
is for the patient’s own good. This action could be legally classified as:
A. Assault
B. Battery
C. Negligence
D. Libel
Answer: B
Rationale: Battery is the intentional and non-consensual touching of another person.
Administering treatment against a competent patient’s refusal constitutes battery.
4. In the SBAR communication tool, which information belongs in the
‘Background’ section?
A. The patient’s current vital signs and mental status
B. A brief summary of the patient’s medical history and admitting diagnosis
C. The nurse’s assessment of the current situation
D. Specific requests for immediate intervention
Answer: B
Rationale: The ‘Background’ section provides context, including the admitting diagnosis,
date of admission, and pertinent medical history.
5. When applying the principle of Justice in nursing, which action is most
appropriate?
A. Spending more time with a patient who is more likable
B. Allowing the patient to choose their own physician
C. Ensuring that all patients receive exactly 15 minutes of attention every hour
D. Allocating resources and care based on patient needs regardless of social status
Answer: D
Rationale: Justice in healthcare refers to fairness in the distribution of resources and
treatment, ensuring patients are treated according to their needs.
, 6. A nurse delegates the task of monitoring vital signs for a stable post-
operative patient to an Unlicensed Assistive Personnel (UAP). Which ‘Right of
Delegation’ is primarily being exercised?
A. Right Task
B. Right Person
C. Right Supervision
D. Right Direction
Answer: A
Rationale: The Right Task involves determining if the specific task is appropriate to
delegate based on the complexity and the staff’s scope of practice.
7. Which of the following describes the ethical theory of Deontology?
A. The rightness of an action is determined by its consequences
B. Decisions should be based on the greatest good for the greatest number
C. The focus is on the character of the person performing the action
D. Actions are right or wrong based on their adherence to rules and duties
Answer: D
Rationale: Deontology is a formalistic system that defines actions as right or wrong based
on objective principles and duties, independent of the outcome.
8. The Nurse Practice Act is primarily designed to:
A. Protect the nurse’s right to employment
B. Protect the public by defining the scope of nursing practice
C. Set the national standard for nursing education
D. Mandate the salary scales for registered nurses
Answer: B
Rationale: Nurse Practice Acts are state laws that define the scope of practice to ensure
that the public is protected from unsafe practitioners.
