MATERNITY AND PEDIATRIC
NURSING
5TH EDITION
AUTHOR(S)SUSAN SCOTT RICCI;
TERRI KYLE; SUSAN CARMAN
TEST BANK
1. Reference
Legal and Ethical Issues — Informed Consent in Pediatric
Care
Clinical Scenario
A 7-year-old child is admitted for an emergency
appendectomy. The child’s mother is at the bedside and
appears anxious. The nurse notices that the consent form has
not been signed, and the surgeon is preparing to transport
the child to the operating room. The child asks the nurse,
“Will this surgery hurt me?”
,Options
A. Ask the child to sign the consent form because the child
understands the procedure
B. Witness the mother’s signature after the surgeon explains
the procedure and risks
C. Explain the surgical risks and benefits to the mother
instead of the surgeon
D. Send the child to surgery because appendectomies are
considered routine procedures
Correct Answer
B. Witness the mother’s signature after the surgeon
explains the procedure and risks
Rationales
Correct Answer:
The surgeon is responsible for explaining the procedure,
risks, benefits, and alternatives before informed consent is
obtained. The nurse’s role is to verify understanding, witness
the signature, and advocate for the patient and family. This
promotes legal and ethical pediatric care.
A:
Minors generally cannot legally provide informed consent
except in special circumstances. A 7-year-old may provide
assent but not legal consent.
, C:
The nurse can reinforce information but is not legally
responsible for obtaining informed consent for surgery.
D:
Even emergency procedures generally require parental
consent unless delaying care would threaten life or safety.
Teaching Point
Parents provide consent; children provide assent when
developmentally appropriate.
Citation
Ricci, S. S., Kyle, T., & Carman, S. (2026). Maternity and
Pediatric Nursing (5th ed.). Informed Consent.
2. Reference
Confidentiality — Adolescent Health Care
Clinical Scenario
A 16-year-old adolescent visits the clinic requesting testing
for a sexually transmitted infection. During the visit, the
adolescent tells the nurse, “Please don’t tell my parents.” The
parent later asks the nurse why laboratory testing was
ordered.
Options
, A. Share all laboratory information because parents are legal
guardians
B. Tell the parent that adolescents have no privacy rights in
health care
C. Maintain confidentiality according to state laws and
facility policy
D. Refuse to speak with the parent about any aspect of care
Correct Answer
C. Maintain confidentiality according to state laws and
facility policy
Rationales
Correct Answer:
Adolescents may legally consent to certain health services
depending on state laws. Nurses must protect confidentiality
while following legal guidelines and institutional policy to
encourage appropriate health-seeking behavior.
A:
Automatic disclosure may violate confidentiality protections
for adolescent reproductive health services.
B:
Adolescents do have privacy rights in specific healthcare
situations.
NURSING
5TH EDITION
AUTHOR(S)SUSAN SCOTT RICCI;
TERRI KYLE; SUSAN CARMAN
TEST BANK
1. Reference
Legal and Ethical Issues — Informed Consent in Pediatric
Care
Clinical Scenario
A 7-year-old child is admitted for an emergency
appendectomy. The child’s mother is at the bedside and
appears anxious. The nurse notices that the consent form has
not been signed, and the surgeon is preparing to transport
the child to the operating room. The child asks the nurse,
“Will this surgery hurt me?”
,Options
A. Ask the child to sign the consent form because the child
understands the procedure
B. Witness the mother’s signature after the surgeon explains
the procedure and risks
C. Explain the surgical risks and benefits to the mother
instead of the surgeon
D. Send the child to surgery because appendectomies are
considered routine procedures
Correct Answer
B. Witness the mother’s signature after the surgeon
explains the procedure and risks
Rationales
Correct Answer:
The surgeon is responsible for explaining the procedure,
risks, benefits, and alternatives before informed consent is
obtained. The nurse’s role is to verify understanding, witness
the signature, and advocate for the patient and family. This
promotes legal and ethical pediatric care.
A:
Minors generally cannot legally provide informed consent
except in special circumstances. A 7-year-old may provide
assent but not legal consent.
, C:
The nurse can reinforce information but is not legally
responsible for obtaining informed consent for surgery.
D:
Even emergency procedures generally require parental
consent unless delaying care would threaten life or safety.
Teaching Point
Parents provide consent; children provide assent when
developmentally appropriate.
Citation
Ricci, S. S., Kyle, T., & Carman, S. (2026). Maternity and
Pediatric Nursing (5th ed.). Informed Consent.
2. Reference
Confidentiality — Adolescent Health Care
Clinical Scenario
A 16-year-old adolescent visits the clinic requesting testing
for a sexually transmitted infection. During the visit, the
adolescent tells the nurse, “Please don’t tell my parents.” The
parent later asks the nurse why laboratory testing was
ordered.
Options
, A. Share all laboratory information because parents are legal
guardians
B. Tell the parent that adolescents have no privacy rights in
health care
C. Maintain confidentiality according to state laws and
facility policy
D. Refuse to speak with the parent about any aspect of care
Correct Answer
C. Maintain confidentiality according to state laws and
facility policy
Rationales
Correct Answer:
Adolescents may legally consent to certain health services
depending on state laws. Nurses must protect confidentiality
while following legal guidelines and institutional policy to
encourage appropriate health-seeking behavior.
A:
Automatic disclosure may violate confidentiality protections
for adolescent reproductive health services.
B:
Adolescents do have privacy rights in specific healthcare
situations.
