Chapter 19: Ethical Issues
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. A nurse is caring for a patient who has just been diagnosed with cancer. The
patient’s family has requested that the patient not be told at this time because it
would be devastating. The patient asks the nurse if the diagnosis is cancer. If the
nurse were to uphold the ethical principle of veracity, what would the response
be?
a. “No, you do not have cancer.”
b. “The physician is unsure of your diagnosis at this time.”
c. “Yes, that is the diagnosis. Let me call the doctor so that we can have a
discussion.”
d. “Yes, but your family told me that I could not talk to you about the
diagnosis.”
ANS: C.
If the nurse were to uphold the ethical principle of veracity, the nurse would inform
the patient of the diagnosis and involve the physician in the discussion. The nurse
should not lie to the patient or withhold information at the family’s request; the
patient has a right to know information regarding his/her health care.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Application/Applying REF: p. 422
OBJ: Define terminology commonly used in discussions about ethical issues.
TOP: Understanding ethics
MSC: NCLEX®: Safe and effective care environment—management of care
,2. A nurse is educating a group of nursing students on the deontological model of
ethical reasoning. The nurse determines that the teaching has been effective when
a student states
a. “All life is worthy of respect.” .
b. “Abortions are ethical.”
c. “Euthanasia is acceptable in certain situations.”
d. “Lying is acceptable if it benefits the patient.”
ANS: A
The deontological model of ethical reasoning states that all life is worthy of respect.
Abortions and euthanasia are never acceptable because they violate the duty to respect
the sanctity of all life. Lying is never acceptable because it violates the duty to tell the
truth.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Evaluation/Evaluating REF: p. 423
OBJ: Define terminology commonly used in discussions about ethical issues.
TOP: Understanding ethics
MSC: NCLEX®: Safe and effective care environment—management of care
3. A nurse is educating nursing students on the teleological model of ethical
reasoning. The nurse judges that the education has been effective when a student
states which of the following? .
a. “Abortion is acceptable because it results in fewer unwanted babies.”
b. “Abortion is never acceptable because it violates the sanctity of life.”
c. “Euthanasia is never acceptable because it violates the sanctity of life.”
d. “The rights on individuals should not be sacrificed for the good of the
majority.”.
ANS: A
The teleological model of ethical reasoning is interpreted as meaning “the end
justifies the means.” The rights of some individuals may be sacrificed for the
, majority. Therefore, abortion may be acceptable because it results in fewer unwanted
babies. Euthanasia may be acceptable because it results in decreased suffering.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Evaluation/Evaluating REF: p. 424
OBJ: Define terminology commonly used in discussions about ethical issues.
TOP: Understanding ethics
MSC: NCLEX®: Safe and effective care environment—management of care
4. A nurse and a patient are discussing the patient’s wishes regarding resuscitation.
The patient decides that resuscitation is not wanted under any circumstances.
What action can the nurse take to identify the ethical issues of the situation?
a. Encourage the patient to discuss his/her wishes with his/her family.
b. Encourage the patient to change his/her mind.
c. Coerce the patient into changing his/her mind by calling the physician to
the bedside.
d. Continue to treat the patient as a “full code.”
ANS: A
When identifying the ethical issues of the situation, the nurse should encourage the
patient to share his/her wishes with his/her family. It is not the position of the nurse to
try to change the patient’s mind or force him/her to remain a “full code.” The nurse
should respect the patient’s wishes and document them accordingly.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Application/Applying
REF: p. 425 OBJ: Discuss the role of the nurse in ethical health care issues.
TOP: Understanding ethics
MSC: NCLEX®: Safe and effective care environment—management of care.
5. A patient with cancer has decided to end treatment and is discussing end-of-life
care with the family. The nurse notices that the attending physician has just
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. A nurse is caring for a patient who has just been diagnosed with cancer. The
patient’s family has requested that the patient not be told at this time because it
would be devastating. The patient asks the nurse if the diagnosis is cancer. If the
nurse were to uphold the ethical principle of veracity, what would the response
be?
a. “No, you do not have cancer.”
b. “The physician is unsure of your diagnosis at this time.”
c. “Yes, that is the diagnosis. Let me call the doctor so that we can have a
discussion.”
d. “Yes, but your family told me that I could not talk to you about the
diagnosis.”
ANS: C.
If the nurse were to uphold the ethical principle of veracity, the nurse would inform
the patient of the diagnosis and involve the physician in the discussion. The nurse
should not lie to the patient or withhold information at the family’s request; the
patient has a right to know information regarding his/her health care.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Application/Applying REF: p. 422
OBJ: Define terminology commonly used in discussions about ethical issues.
TOP: Understanding ethics
MSC: NCLEX®: Safe and effective care environment—management of care
,2. A nurse is educating a group of nursing students on the deontological model of
ethical reasoning. The nurse determines that the teaching has been effective when
a student states
a. “All life is worthy of respect.” .
b. “Abortions are ethical.”
c. “Euthanasia is acceptable in certain situations.”
d. “Lying is acceptable if it benefits the patient.”
ANS: A
The deontological model of ethical reasoning states that all life is worthy of respect.
Abortions and euthanasia are never acceptable because they violate the duty to respect
the sanctity of all life. Lying is never acceptable because it violates the duty to tell the
truth.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Evaluation/Evaluating REF: p. 423
OBJ: Define terminology commonly used in discussions about ethical issues.
TOP: Understanding ethics
MSC: NCLEX®: Safe and effective care environment—management of care
3. A nurse is educating nursing students on the teleological model of ethical
reasoning. The nurse judges that the education has been effective when a student
states which of the following? .
a. “Abortion is acceptable because it results in fewer unwanted babies.”
b. “Abortion is never acceptable because it violates the sanctity of life.”
c. “Euthanasia is never acceptable because it violates the sanctity of life.”
d. “The rights on individuals should not be sacrificed for the good of the
majority.”.
ANS: A
The teleological model of ethical reasoning is interpreted as meaning “the end
justifies the means.” The rights of some individuals may be sacrificed for the
, majority. Therefore, abortion may be acceptable because it results in fewer unwanted
babies. Euthanasia may be acceptable because it results in decreased suffering.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Evaluation/Evaluating REF: p. 424
OBJ: Define terminology commonly used in discussions about ethical issues.
TOP: Understanding ethics
MSC: NCLEX®: Safe and effective care environment—management of care
4. A nurse and a patient are discussing the patient’s wishes regarding resuscitation.
The patient decides that resuscitation is not wanted under any circumstances.
What action can the nurse take to identify the ethical issues of the situation?
a. Encourage the patient to discuss his/her wishes with his/her family.
b. Encourage the patient to change his/her mind.
c. Coerce the patient into changing his/her mind by calling the physician to
the bedside.
d. Continue to treat the patient as a “full code.”
ANS: A
When identifying the ethical issues of the situation, the nurse should encourage the
patient to share his/her wishes with his/her family. It is not the position of the nurse to
try to change the patient’s mind or force him/her to remain a “full code.” The nurse
should respect the patient’s wishes and document them accordingly.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Application/Applying
REF: p. 425 OBJ: Discuss the role of the nurse in ethical health care issues.
TOP: Understanding ethics
MSC: NCLEX®: Safe and effective care environment—management of care.
5. A patient with cancer has decided to end treatment and is discussing end-of-life
care with the family. The nurse notices that the attending physician has just
