NURS 110: Introduction to Professional Nursing - Week 9
Comprehensive Quiz 2026 |WCU
1. A nurse is caring for a patient who decides to decline chemotherapy despite
the physician’s recommendation. By supporting the patient’s decision, which
ethical principle is the nurse primarily upholding?
A. Justice
B. Beneficence
C. Nonmaleficence
D. Autonomy
Answer: D
Rationale: Autonomy refers to the right of patients to make their own decisions about
their medical care without their healthcare provider trying to influence the decision.
2. Which of the following elements is NOT required to prove nursing malpractice
in a court of law?
A. Duty to the patient
B. Intent to cause harm
C. Injury or damages
D. Breach of duty
Answer: B
Rationale: Malpractice is professional negligence. It requires duty, breach, causation, and
injury. Intent to harm is characteristic of intentional torts, not negligence.
,3. The American Nurses Association (ANA) Code of Ethics for Nurses serves what
primary purpose?
A. To provide a list of legal punishments for nursing errors
B. To outline the profession’s non-negotiable ethical standards
C. To establish the technical skills required for licensure
D. To define the salary scales for registered nurses
Answer: B
Rationale: The ANA Code of Ethics provides a framework for ethical analysis and decision-
making and establishes the ethical standard for the profession.
4. A nurse administers a pain medication earlier than prescribed because the
patient is in severe pain. This action, while well-intentioned, violates which
ethical principle regarding adherence to the plan of care?
A. Justice
B. Veracity
C. Fidelity
D. Nonmaleficence
Answer: C
Rationale: Fidelity is the principle of keeping promises and being faithful to commitments,
including following the established medical plan and professional standards.
5. Which nursing theorist developed the ‘Novice to Expert’ model for nursing
proficiency?
A. Florence Nightingale
B. Patricia Benner
C. Jean Watson
D. Dorothea Orem
Answer: B
, Rationale: Patricia Benner’s model describes five levels of nursing experience: novice,
advanced beginner, competent, proficient, and expert.
6. In the SBAR communication tool, which component involves the nurse stating
what they believe the underlying problem is?
A. Situation
B. Background
C. Assessment
D. Recommendation
Answer: C
Rationale: The ‘Assessment’ portion of SBAR is where the nurse communicates their
professional conclusion about the patient’s current status or the cause of the issue.
7. A nurse is involved in a situation where there is no clear right or wrong
answer, and two ethical principles are in conflict. This is known as:
A. Moral distress
B. Values clarification
C. Ethical dilemma
D. Nonmaleficence
Answer: C
Rationale: An ethical dilemma occurs when a person is forced to choose between two or
more undesirable alternatives or when principles conflict.
8. Which legal document identifies the individual authorized to make healthcare
decisions for a patient if they become incapacitated?
A. Living Will
B. Nurse Practice Act
C. Informed Consent Form
D. Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare
Answer: D
Comprehensive Quiz 2026 |WCU
1. A nurse is caring for a patient who decides to decline chemotherapy despite
the physician’s recommendation. By supporting the patient’s decision, which
ethical principle is the nurse primarily upholding?
A. Justice
B. Beneficence
C. Nonmaleficence
D. Autonomy
Answer: D
Rationale: Autonomy refers to the right of patients to make their own decisions about
their medical care without their healthcare provider trying to influence the decision.
2. Which of the following elements is NOT required to prove nursing malpractice
in a court of law?
A. Duty to the patient
B. Intent to cause harm
C. Injury or damages
D. Breach of duty
Answer: B
Rationale: Malpractice is professional negligence. It requires duty, breach, causation, and
injury. Intent to harm is characteristic of intentional torts, not negligence.
,3. The American Nurses Association (ANA) Code of Ethics for Nurses serves what
primary purpose?
A. To provide a list of legal punishments for nursing errors
B. To outline the profession’s non-negotiable ethical standards
C. To establish the technical skills required for licensure
D. To define the salary scales for registered nurses
Answer: B
Rationale: The ANA Code of Ethics provides a framework for ethical analysis and decision-
making and establishes the ethical standard for the profession.
4. A nurse administers a pain medication earlier than prescribed because the
patient is in severe pain. This action, while well-intentioned, violates which
ethical principle regarding adherence to the plan of care?
A. Justice
B. Veracity
C. Fidelity
D. Nonmaleficence
Answer: C
Rationale: Fidelity is the principle of keeping promises and being faithful to commitments,
including following the established medical plan and professional standards.
5. Which nursing theorist developed the ‘Novice to Expert’ model for nursing
proficiency?
A. Florence Nightingale
B. Patricia Benner
C. Jean Watson
D. Dorothea Orem
Answer: B
, Rationale: Patricia Benner’s model describes five levels of nursing experience: novice,
advanced beginner, competent, proficient, and expert.
6. In the SBAR communication tool, which component involves the nurse stating
what they believe the underlying problem is?
A. Situation
B. Background
C. Assessment
D. Recommendation
Answer: C
Rationale: The ‘Assessment’ portion of SBAR is where the nurse communicates their
professional conclusion about the patient’s current status or the cause of the issue.
7. A nurse is involved in a situation where there is no clear right or wrong
answer, and two ethical principles are in conflict. This is known as:
A. Moral distress
B. Values clarification
C. Ethical dilemma
D. Nonmaleficence
Answer: C
Rationale: An ethical dilemma occurs when a person is forced to choose between two or
more undesirable alternatives or when principles conflict.
8. Which legal document identifies the individual authorized to make healthcare
decisions for a patient if they become incapacitated?
A. Living Will
B. Nurse Practice Act
C. Informed Consent Form
D. Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare
Answer: D
