Chapter 30. Ethics and the Advanced
Practice Nurse
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. A nurse is turning a bedfast patient to prevent pressure ulcers. The patient complains that
the process is painful. The nurse explains the reason for the turning schedule and
completes the task. This is an example of the ethical principle of
a. autonomy.
b. fidelity.
c. nonmaleficence.
d. veracity.
ANS: C
Feedback
A. Autonomy has to do with individuals being able to make their own decisions.
B. Fidelity refers to honoring ones commitments and promises.
C. Nonmaleficence is defined as the duty to do no harm. Although temporarily
painful, not turning the patient would cause actual harm (physical damage), and
so this nurse is acting on the principle of nonmaleficence.
D. Veracity refers to being truthful.
2. A patient who is terminally ill is experiencing great pain. To relieve the patients suffering,
the nurse needs to administer larger doses of morphine. This relieves the pain but also
inhibits respiration. Which principle justifies the risk of harm?
a. Justice
b. Fidelity
, c. Veracity
d. Double effect
ANS: D
Feedback
A. Justice relates to equal treatment of all.
B. Fidelity is faithfulness to ones commitments.
C. Veracity is being truthful.
D. The principle of double effect addresses actions that may result in a negative
effect if the end result is good. The end point justifies the risk of harm.
3. Taking a pediatric patient to the playroom on a promised time and day is based on the
belief in the ethical principle of
a. autonomy.
b. fidelity.
c. justice.
d. veracity.
ANS: B
Feedback
A. Autonomy relates to the right of individuals to make their own decisions.
B. Fidelity is being faithful to commitments made to others.
C. Justice refers to the equal treatment of all.
D. Veracity is being truthful.
4. When nurses receive a patient assignment and accept reports on these patients, they are
committed to providing care to those assigned to them. This is based on the ethical
principle of
Practice Nurse
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. A nurse is turning a bedfast patient to prevent pressure ulcers. The patient complains that
the process is painful. The nurse explains the reason for the turning schedule and
completes the task. This is an example of the ethical principle of
a. autonomy.
b. fidelity.
c. nonmaleficence.
d. veracity.
ANS: C
Feedback
A. Autonomy has to do with individuals being able to make their own decisions.
B. Fidelity refers to honoring ones commitments and promises.
C. Nonmaleficence is defined as the duty to do no harm. Although temporarily
painful, not turning the patient would cause actual harm (physical damage), and
so this nurse is acting on the principle of nonmaleficence.
D. Veracity refers to being truthful.
2. A patient who is terminally ill is experiencing great pain. To relieve the patients suffering,
the nurse needs to administer larger doses of morphine. This relieves the pain but also
inhibits respiration. Which principle justifies the risk of harm?
a. Justice
b. Fidelity
, c. Veracity
d. Double effect
ANS: D
Feedback
A. Justice relates to equal treatment of all.
B. Fidelity is faithfulness to ones commitments.
C. Veracity is being truthful.
D. The principle of double effect addresses actions that may result in a negative
effect if the end result is good. The end point justifies the risk of harm.
3. Taking a pediatric patient to the playroom on a promised time and day is based on the
belief in the ethical principle of
a. autonomy.
b. fidelity.
c. justice.
d. veracity.
ANS: B
Feedback
A. Autonomy relates to the right of individuals to make their own decisions.
B. Fidelity is being faithful to commitments made to others.
C. Justice refers to the equal treatment of all.
D. Veracity is being truthful.
4. When nurses receive a patient assignment and accept reports on these patients, they are
committed to providing care to those assigned to them. This is based on the ethical
principle of
