HCS 545
Health Law & Ethics
Final Exam Review
Q&A
2024
,1. A nurse accidentally administers a higher dose of medication than
prescribed, resulting in patient harm. Which ethical principle is primarily
at stake?
A. Beneficence
B. Nonmaleficence
C. Autonomy
D. Justice
Answer: B. Nonmaleficence
Rationale: Nonmaleficence is the principle of not causing harm to
others. In this case, the nurse's action resulted in harm to the patient,
which directly violates this principle.
2. A patient refuses a life-saving blood transfusion due to religious beliefs.
How should the nurse proceed?
A. Administer the transfusion, prioritizing the patient's health.
B. Respect the patient's wishes and do not administer the transfusion.
C. Persuade the patient to accept the transfusion.
D. Seek a court order to administer the transfusion.
Answer: B. Respect the patient's wishes and do not administer the
transfusion.
Rationale: Autonomy respects the patient's right to make decisions about
their own health care. In this scenario, the nurse should respect the
patient's autonomous decision, even if it conflicts with the nurse's personal
beliefs or the principles of beneficence.
3. When is it ethically permissible for a nurse to breach patient
confidentiality?
A. When the information is interesting to the public.
B. When the patient is a celebrity and the public has a right to know.
C. When disclosure is necessary to protect the patient or others from
harm.
D. When discussing the case with friends after work.
Answer: C. When disclosure is necessary to protect the patient or others
from harm.
Rationale: Confidentiality is a fundamental ethical principle in nursing,
but it may be breached if nondisclosure could result in harm to the patient
or others, such as in cases of communicable diseases or abuse.
, 4. A nurse witnesses a colleague acting unethically. What is the most
appropriate action?
A. Ignore the behavior; it's not your responsibility.
B. Report the behavior to a supervisor.
C. Confront the colleague directly.
D. Spread the word to other colleagues.
Answer: B. Report the behavior to a supervisor.
Rationale: Ethical practice in nursing includes the responsibility to
report unethical or incompetent practice by colleagues to protect patients
and uphold the integrity of the profession.
5. In which situation is informed consent not required?
A. When the patient is unconscious and requires emergency
intervention.
B. When the patient is making a routine decision about care.
C. When the patient is fully competent to make decisions.
D. When the patient has previously given consent for the procedure.
Answer: A. When the patient is unconscious and requires emergency
intervention.
Rationale: Informed consent is a legal and ethical requirement before
performing procedures or treatments, except in emergencies when the
patient is incapable of giving consent and delay in treatment could result
in harm.
6. A patient with a terminal illness requests assistance in ending their life.
What is the nurse's ethical obligation?
A. Assist the patient, respecting their autonomy.
B. Refuse to assist, as it is against the law.
C. Discuss palliative care options with the patient.
D. Report the request to the authorities.
Answer: C. Discuss palliative care options with the patient.
Rationale: While respecting patient autonomy is important, nurses must
also adhere to legal and ethical guidelines, which typically do not support
assisted suicide. The nurse should provide compassionate care and discuss
alternatives such as palliative care.
7. A nurse is allocated more patients than is safe to manage effectively.
What is the ethical course of action?
Health Law & Ethics
Final Exam Review
Q&A
2024
,1. A nurse accidentally administers a higher dose of medication than
prescribed, resulting in patient harm. Which ethical principle is primarily
at stake?
A. Beneficence
B. Nonmaleficence
C. Autonomy
D. Justice
Answer: B. Nonmaleficence
Rationale: Nonmaleficence is the principle of not causing harm to
others. In this case, the nurse's action resulted in harm to the patient,
which directly violates this principle.
2. A patient refuses a life-saving blood transfusion due to religious beliefs.
How should the nurse proceed?
A. Administer the transfusion, prioritizing the patient's health.
B. Respect the patient's wishes and do not administer the transfusion.
C. Persuade the patient to accept the transfusion.
D. Seek a court order to administer the transfusion.
Answer: B. Respect the patient's wishes and do not administer the
transfusion.
Rationale: Autonomy respects the patient's right to make decisions about
their own health care. In this scenario, the nurse should respect the
patient's autonomous decision, even if it conflicts with the nurse's personal
beliefs or the principles of beneficence.
3. When is it ethically permissible for a nurse to breach patient
confidentiality?
A. When the information is interesting to the public.
B. When the patient is a celebrity and the public has a right to know.
C. When disclosure is necessary to protect the patient or others from
harm.
D. When discussing the case with friends after work.
Answer: C. When disclosure is necessary to protect the patient or others
from harm.
Rationale: Confidentiality is a fundamental ethical principle in nursing,
but it may be breached if nondisclosure could result in harm to the patient
or others, such as in cases of communicable diseases or abuse.
, 4. A nurse witnesses a colleague acting unethically. What is the most
appropriate action?
A. Ignore the behavior; it's not your responsibility.
B. Report the behavior to a supervisor.
C. Confront the colleague directly.
D. Spread the word to other colleagues.
Answer: B. Report the behavior to a supervisor.
Rationale: Ethical practice in nursing includes the responsibility to
report unethical or incompetent practice by colleagues to protect patients
and uphold the integrity of the profession.
5. In which situation is informed consent not required?
A. When the patient is unconscious and requires emergency
intervention.
B. When the patient is making a routine decision about care.
C. When the patient is fully competent to make decisions.
D. When the patient has previously given consent for the procedure.
Answer: A. When the patient is unconscious and requires emergency
intervention.
Rationale: Informed consent is a legal and ethical requirement before
performing procedures or treatments, except in emergencies when the
patient is incapable of giving consent and delay in treatment could result
in harm.
6. A patient with a terminal illness requests assistance in ending their life.
What is the nurse's ethical obligation?
A. Assist the patient, respecting their autonomy.
B. Refuse to assist, as it is against the law.
C. Discuss palliative care options with the patient.
D. Report the request to the authorities.
Answer: C. Discuss palliative care options with the patient.
Rationale: While respecting patient autonomy is important, nurses must
also adhere to legal and ethical guidelines, which typically do not support
assisted suicide. The nurse should provide compassionate care and discuss
alternatives such as palliative care.
7. A nurse is allocated more patients than is safe to manage effectively.
What is the ethical course of action?
