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ATI FUNDAMENTALS CMS LVN MIDTERM EXAM
PREP 2026 | 180+ Q&A WITH RATIONALES | ACTUAL
TEST BANK | GRADED A+ | LATEST VERSION
# SECTION 1: ETHICAL & LEGAL PRINCIPLES (Questions 1–15)
**Q1.** A nurse is caring for a client who decides not to have surgery despite
significant blockages of the coronary arteries. The nurse understands that this
client's choice is an example of which of the following ethical principles?
A. Fidelity
B. Autonomy
C. Justice
D. Nonmaleficence
**Correct Answer: B**
**Rationale:** In this situation, the client is exercising their right to make their
own personal decision about surgery, regardless of others' opinions of what is
"best" for them. This is an example of autonomy, which respects a person's right to
self-determination .
---
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**Q2.** A nurse offers pain medication to a client who is postoperative prior to
ambulation. The nurse understands that this aspect of care delivery is an example
of which of the following ethical principles?
A. Fidelity
B. Autonomy
C. Justice
D. Beneficence
**Correct Answer: D**
**Rationale:** Beneficence is action that promotes good for others without any
self-interest. By administering pain medication before the client attempts a
potentially painful exercise like ambulation, the nurse is taking a specific and
positive action to help the client .
---
**Q3.** A nurse questions a medication prescription as too extreme in light of the
client's advanced age and unstable status. The nurse understands that this action is
an example of which of the following ethical principles?
A. Fidelity
B. Autonomy
C. Justice
D. Nonmaleficence
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**Correct Answer: D**
**Rationale:** Nonmaleficence is the obligation to do no harm. By questioning a
prescription that seems too extreme, the nurse is acting to prevent potential harm to
the client .
---
**Q4.** A nurse is caring for a client who is about to undergo an elective surgical
procedure. Which of the following actions regarding informed consent should the
nurse take? (Select all that apply.)
A. Make sure the surgeon obtained the client's consent.
B. Witness the client's signature on the consent form.
C. Explain the risks and benefits of the procedure.
D. Describe the consequences of choosing not to have the surgery.
E. Tell the client about alternatives to having the surgery.
**Correct Answers: A, B**
**Rationale:** It is the nurse's responsibility to verify that the surgeon obtained
the client's consent and that the client understands the information the surgeon
gave them. The nurse also witnesses the client's signature and verifies that they are
consenting voluntarily and appear competent to do so. Explaining risks, benefits,
alternatives, and consequences is the responsibility of the provider .
---
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**Q5.** A nurse is instructing a group of newly licensed nurses about how to
know and what to expect when ethical dilemmas arise. Which of the following
situations should the newly licensed nurses identify as an ethical dilemma?
A. A nurse on a medical-surgical unit demonstrates signs of chemical impairment.
B. A nurse overhears another nurse telling an older adult client that if he doesn't
stay in bed, she will have to apply restraints.
C. A family has conflicting feelings about the initiation of enteral tube feedings for
their father, who is terminally ill.
D. A client who is terminally ill hesitates to name their partner on their durable
power of attorney form.
**Correct Answer: C**
**Rationale:** Making the decision about initiating enteral tube feedings is an
example of an ethical dilemma. A review of scientific data cannot resolve the issue,
and it is not easy to resolve. The decision will have a profound effect on the
situation and on the client .
---
**Q6.** A nurse is caring for a competent adult client who tells the nurse, "I am
leaving the hospital this morning whether the doctor discharges me or not." The
nurse believes that this is not in the client's best interest and prepares to administer
a PRN sedative medication the client has not requested along with the scheduled
morning medication. Which of the following types of torts is the nurse about to
commit?
A. Assault
ATI FUNDAMENTALS CMS LVN MIDTERM EXAM
PREP 2026 | 180+ Q&A WITH RATIONALES | ACTUAL
TEST BANK | GRADED A+ | LATEST VERSION
# SECTION 1: ETHICAL & LEGAL PRINCIPLES (Questions 1–15)
**Q1.** A nurse is caring for a client who decides not to have surgery despite
significant blockages of the coronary arteries. The nurse understands that this
client's choice is an example of which of the following ethical principles?
A. Fidelity
B. Autonomy
C. Justice
D. Nonmaleficence
**Correct Answer: B**
**Rationale:** In this situation, the client is exercising their right to make their
own personal decision about surgery, regardless of others' opinions of what is
"best" for them. This is an example of autonomy, which respects a person's right to
self-determination .
---
,2|Page
**Q2.** A nurse offers pain medication to a client who is postoperative prior to
ambulation. The nurse understands that this aspect of care delivery is an example
of which of the following ethical principles?
A. Fidelity
B. Autonomy
C. Justice
D. Beneficence
**Correct Answer: D**
**Rationale:** Beneficence is action that promotes good for others without any
self-interest. By administering pain medication before the client attempts a
potentially painful exercise like ambulation, the nurse is taking a specific and
positive action to help the client .
---
**Q3.** A nurse questions a medication prescription as too extreme in light of the
client's advanced age and unstable status. The nurse understands that this action is
an example of which of the following ethical principles?
A. Fidelity
B. Autonomy
C. Justice
D. Nonmaleficence
,3|Page
**Correct Answer: D**
**Rationale:** Nonmaleficence is the obligation to do no harm. By questioning a
prescription that seems too extreme, the nurse is acting to prevent potential harm to
the client .
---
**Q4.** A nurse is caring for a client who is about to undergo an elective surgical
procedure. Which of the following actions regarding informed consent should the
nurse take? (Select all that apply.)
A. Make sure the surgeon obtained the client's consent.
B. Witness the client's signature on the consent form.
C. Explain the risks and benefits of the procedure.
D. Describe the consequences of choosing not to have the surgery.
E. Tell the client about alternatives to having the surgery.
**Correct Answers: A, B**
**Rationale:** It is the nurse's responsibility to verify that the surgeon obtained
the client's consent and that the client understands the information the surgeon
gave them. The nurse also witnesses the client's signature and verifies that they are
consenting voluntarily and appear competent to do so. Explaining risks, benefits,
alternatives, and consequences is the responsibility of the provider .
---
, 4|Page
**Q5.** A nurse is instructing a group of newly licensed nurses about how to
know and what to expect when ethical dilemmas arise. Which of the following
situations should the newly licensed nurses identify as an ethical dilemma?
A. A nurse on a medical-surgical unit demonstrates signs of chemical impairment.
B. A nurse overhears another nurse telling an older adult client that if he doesn't
stay in bed, she will have to apply restraints.
C. A family has conflicting feelings about the initiation of enteral tube feedings for
their father, who is terminally ill.
D. A client who is terminally ill hesitates to name their partner on their durable
power of attorney form.
**Correct Answer: C**
**Rationale:** Making the decision about initiating enteral tube feedings is an
example of an ethical dilemma. A review of scientific data cannot resolve the issue,
and it is not easy to resolve. The decision will have a profound effect on the
situation and on the client .
---
**Q6.** A nurse is caring for a competent adult client who tells the nurse, "I am
leaving the hospital this morning whether the doctor discharges me or not." The
nurse believes that this is not in the client's best interest and prepares to administer
a PRN sedative medication the client has not requested along with the scheduled
morning medication. Which of the following types of torts is the nurse about to
commit?
A. Assault
